Lisa Cooke: Last News

The Visual Effects Society today announced the newest inductees into the VES Hall of Fame, including pioneering animator, producer and director Mary Ellen Bute; the first woman to ever direct a film, Alice Guy-Blaché; American computer scientist Grace Hopper; commercial computer animation visionary Bill Kovacs and Hungarian-American animator, film director and producer George Pal. The Hall of Fame inductees – and other special honorees – will be celebrated at a special event this Fall.

Having worked in Pandora, Gotham City and the North Atlantic, Joyce Cox is getting a career honor from the Visual Effects Society. The veteran VFX producer who worked on the billion-dollar pics Avatar, The Dark Knight and Titanic will receive the group’s Lifetime Achievement Award next month.

The Visual Effects Society (VES), the visual effects industry’s professional global honorary society, has announced the Society’s newest VES Fellows.

The Visual Effects Society has composited its first group of 2023 honorees.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor “Avatar: The Way of Water” topped the 21st Annual VES Awards with nine wins, including for photoreal feature. Meanwhile, Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio” was named best animated feature and took home three awards total. On the TV side, Amazon’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” won three awards and was named best photoreal episode. Rian Johnson, Domee Shi, Tig Notaro, Jay Pharoah, Tyler Posey and Randall Park were among the presenters for the night. James Cameron presented the VES Lifetime Achievement award to acclaimed producer Gale Anne Hurd. Former VES executive director Eric Roth received the Board of Directors Award from the current board, which includes Lisa Cooke, current VES Chair; Jim Morris, VES, president of Pixar Animation and founding VES Chair; and former Chairs Jeffrey A. Okun, VES; Mike Chambers, VES; Carl Rosendahl, VES; and Jeff Barnes.

Suffice it to say that Avatar: The Way of Water commanded the Visual Effects Society’s attention. James Cameron box office-smash sequel scored a record 14 nominations for the 2023 VES Awards, which were announced today.

Eric Roth, former executive director of the Visual Effects Society, will be the recipient of the VES Board of Directors Award “in recognition of his leadership in presiding as the Society’s top executive leader.”  

Gale Anne Hurd has been selected by the Visual Effects Society (VES) as the next recipient of the VES Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her contributions to visual arts and filmed entertainment. The award will be presented at the 21st Annual VES Awards on February 15, 2023, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Pam Hogarth will be this year’s recipient of the Visual Effects Society’s Founders Award for her contributions to the art, science and business of visual effects and for her meritorious service to the Society. She and Jeff Barnes, Patricia “Rose” Duignan, Toni Pace Carstensen and David Tanaka will also be presented with lifetime VES memberships, while three-time Oscar-winning director Pete Docter will be made an honorary member.

Eric Roth, the longtime executive director of the Visual Effects Society, is retiring after nearly 19 years on the job, effective September 30.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor“Dune” has taken top honors at the VES Awards garnering four awards including Photoreal feature winner. Disney’s “Encanto” was named top animated film, also winning four awards.The Visual Effects Society (VES), the industry’s global professional honorary society, held the 20th Annual VES Awards, the prestigious yearly celebration that recognizes outstanding visual effects artistry and innovation in film, animation, television, commercials, video games and special venues.This marks the Society’s 20th VES Awards program, and is being celebrated during the organization’s milestone 25th Anniversary.Industry guests gathered at the Beverly Hilton to celebrate VFX talent in 25 awards categories.  “Foundation” The Emperor’s Peace was named best photoreal episode.

Nightmare Alley cat Guillermo del Toro is set to receive the Visual Effects Society’s career honor next month.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorThe Visual Effects Society will present Guillermo del Toro with VES Award for Creative Excellence on March 8.del Toro will be honored for his consummate artistry and expansive storytelling that blends iconic visual effects and unforgettable narrative. Harnessing his intuitive vision, del Toro has created a distinctive cinematic style mixing the world of monster movies, comic books and exuberant visuals straight from his imagination.“Guillermo is a fiercely inventive storyteller, who has pushed the boundaries of filmmaking,” said VES Board Chair Lisa Cooke.

Lisa Cooke has been re-elected chair of the Visual Effects Society, and for the first time in the organization’s 25-year history, women now serve in its top five elected posts.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorThe Visual Effects Society has announced its 2022 Board of Directors officers, and in a historic first, the five-member executive committee is made up of all women.The officers include Lisa Cooke, who was re-elected as board chair and is the first woman to hold this role since the Society’s inception.“It is my honor and privilege to continue to chair this society of outstanding artists and innovators and I appreciate the trust placed in me,” Cooke said. “I’m proud to work amongst an exceptional group of impassioned and talented leaders, who are committed to advancing our mission and serving our members worldwide.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorThe Visual Effects Society (VES) announced the nominees for the 20th Annual VES Awards, with Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” leading the feature film field with six nominations. Disney’s “Encanto” also landed six nominations and led the animated contenders.This year marks the Visual Effects Society’s 25th anniversary.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorThe nominations for the 19th Annual Visual Effects Society Awards have been announced with “The Mandalorian” and “Soul” leading.“The Mandalorian” leads with 13 nominations including outstanding visual effects in a photoreal episode. “Soul” was next with five nominations, followed by “The Witches” and “Project Power.”The VES awards will be handed out in a virtual ceremony and will stream worldwide on April 6. “Traditions find a way to persist,” said Lisa Cooke, VES Board Chair.

The Visual Effects Society (VES) named its 2021 Board of Directors officers with Lisa Cooke being elected as Board Chair. She is the first woman to hold this role in VES’s history.