Academy Award for Best Visual Effects
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The Academy Award for Visual Effects is an Oscar given to the best achievement in visual effects. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences first recognized the technical contributions of special effects to movies at its inaugural dinner in 1928, presenting a plaque for "Best Engineering Effects" to the first Best Picture Oscar winner, the World War I flying drama "Wings." Producer David O. Selznick, then production head at RKO studios, petitioned the Academy Board of Governors to recognize the work of animator Willis H. O'Brien for his groundbreaking work on 1933's "King Kong." But it was not until 1938 when a film was actually recognized for its effects work, giving a Special Achievement Award for Special Effects in the Paramount film "Spawn of the North," an adventure film about shipping near the Arctic Circle. The following year "Best Special Effects" became a recognized category, although on occasion the Academy has chosen to honor a single film rather than nominate two or more films. From 1964 to 1971, the name of the category was Best Special Visual Effects. The name was since changed again in 1977 to Best Visual Effects. In 2007, it was decided that 15 films would be chosen, to get a wider range, and then break it down into 7, and then vote for the final three nominees. (In 1979, five films were nominated.) A number of filmmakers have had their movies honored for their achievements in visual effects; i.e., five films produced by George Pal, five by producer George Lucas, five by director James Cameron (who began his career in Hollywood as an effects technician), four by directors Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson, and three by director Robert Zemeckis. For a film to be nominated for this award, the effects artist must have created something not available for filming. For example, an entirely digital Empire State Building could not make a movie eligible, since one can easily film the building; on the other hand, a recreation of ancient Rome could, since it is impossible to film. However, movies are judged on the quality of all of their effects shots, not just one scene.
According to the official Academy Award rules, the criteria are:
(a) consideration of the contribution the visual effects make to the overall production and
(b) the artistry, skill and fidelity with which the visual illusions are achieved.
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[edit] Results
The tables below display the Oscar nominees for Best Visual Effects. This does not include the recipients of the Special Achievement Awards. They're divided into sections based on the name changes and the winners are presented in bold text with a blue background.
[edit] Special Effects
| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1963 (36th) | The Birds |
| Cleopatra |
[edit] Special Visual Effects
| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1964 (37th) | Mary Poppins |
| 7 Faces of Dr. Lao | |
| 1965 (38th) | The Greatest Story Ever Told |
| Thunderball | |
| 1966 (39th) | Fantastic Voyage |
| Hawaii | |
| 1967 (40th) | Doctor Dolittle |
| Tobruk | |
| 1968 (41st) | Ice Station Zebra |
| 2001: A Space Odyssey | |
| 1969 (42nd) | Krakatoa, East of Java |
| Marooned | |
| 1970 (43rd) | Patton |
| Tora! Tora! Tora! | |
| 1971 (44th) | Bedknobs and Broomsticks |
| When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth |
