The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled the seven films remaining in contention for Achievement in Visual Effects for the 80th Academy Awards. Along with such expected contenders as TRANSFORMERS (considered the favorite to win the Oscar), PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END, THE GOLDEN COMPASS and 300, were such surprises as THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM and EVAN ALMIGHTY. Industrial Light & Magic is well represented this year with its lead work on TRANSFORMERS, AT WORLD'S END and EVAN ALMIGHTY.
Missing from the list, however, are SPIDER-MAN 3 (boasting Sony Pictures Imageworks noteworthy work on Sandman, Venom and New Goblin), HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX and the two first-time animated contenders, RATATOUILLE and BEOWULF.
As one Visual Effects branch member noted, "The Academy does not want to confuse visual effects in live action with animation. It is too tricky to figure out vfx in animation [especially for the actor's branch]."
The films are listed below in alphabetical order:
* THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM (Double Negative, CIS Hollywood, the Senate, Lipsync VFX)* EVAN ALMIGHTY (Rhythm & Hues, ILM)* THE GOLDEN COMPASS (Rhythm & Hues, Cinesite, Framestore CFC, Digital Domain and Rainmaker, among others)* I AM LEGEND (Sony Pictures Imageworks)* PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END (ILM)* 300 (Animal Logic, Buzz, Hybride, Hydraulx, Lola, among others).* TRANSFORMERS (ILM)
On Jan. 16, members of the Academy's Visual Effects Branch will view 15-minute excerpts from each of the seven shortlisted films. Following the screenings, the members will vote to nominate three films for final Oscar consideration.
The 80th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on January 22 at 5:30 am. PT in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2007 will be presented on Feb. 24 at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by ABC beginning at 5:00 pm. PT. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
