Academy Award-winning director James Cameron will present the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award from the Visual Effects Society (VES) to George Lucas at the 2004 VES Awards ceremony.
Cameron, acclaimed director of such visual effects powerhouses as TITANIC, ALIENS, THE ABYSS and the first two films of the TERMINATOR trilogy, will be a featured presenter at the second annual VES awards event which will be held at the Hollywood Palladium on Feb. 18, 2004.
The board of directors of the 900-member VES selected Lucas for its highest honor in recognition of the contribution that WILLOW, his five STAR WARS films and three INDIANA JONES movies have made to the art and science of visual effects. In addition, Lucas founded Lucasfilm Ltd., which encompasses world renowned visual effects and animation company, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).
"The Visual Effects Society can think of no one with a better visual effects history than James Cameron to present this award," said VES founding exec director Tom Atkin, who is stepping down from his position in July. "Throughout his career, Jim has clearly demonstrated his understanding and appreciation of visual effects to enhance to storytelling process."
The Visual Effects Society (www.visualeffectssociety.com), founded in 1997, is comprised of distinguished visual effects artists and technologists who are professionally committed to the specialized industry of visual effects. The society provides its members with a platform for communication, education and recognition of the current and future state of the visual effects industry. Society headquarters are located in Santa Monica, California with approximately 900 global members.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
