The Visual Effects Society (VES) announced that actor/comedian/author Patton Oswalt will serve as host of the 12th Annual VES Awards on February 12 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. This marks Oswalt’s third engagement as host of the annual celebration that recognizes outstanding visual effects artistry and innovation.
“Look, no one drinks more or parties harder than visual effects artists. They’ve promised to green screen a vat of bourbon into my stomach. I had to say yes, “ said Oswalt on his return engagement.
Oswalt continues to find success in all areas of entertainment, from his Grammy-nominated comedy specials to his many memorable TV guest roles (including Parks and Recreation, for which he received a TV Critics Choice Award). He is also currently featured in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, stars in Adult Swim’s The Heart, She Holler and is the narrator on ABC’s comedy The Goldbergs. In 2013, Oswalt was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for his performance in Young Adult and previously earned a Gotham Award nomination for his performance in Big Fan.
Funnyman Oswalt is currently promoting his fifth television special, Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time, to add to his four critically acclaimed albums, including the Grammy-nominated albums Finest Hour (2012) and My Weakness is Strong (2009). He provided the unforgettable voice for ‘Remy,’ the rat, in Pixar’s Oscar winner Ratatouille and has voiced characters on The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, Word Girl and Neighbors from Hell.
Oswalt’s impressive roster of guest starring and recurring roles include appearances on United States of Tara, Justified, Burn Notice, Bored to Death, Flight of the Concords, Sarah Silverman Show and Real Time with Bill Maher.
“Patton Oswalt is family to the VES”, said Jeffrey A. Okun, VES chair, “His timing, wit, recognition and love of VFX and the industry make him the perfect master of ceremonies for us and we are grateful to have him.”
As previously announced: The Visionary Award will be presented to Alfonso Cuarón, acclaimed filmmaker and Academy Award nominated director of the film Gravity. The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to John Dykstra, Academy Award winning visual effects pioneer and innovator. For the full list of VES Awards nominees, visit www.visualeffectssociety.com.
California governor signs law to protect children from social media addiction
California will make it illegal for social media platforms to knowingly provide addictive feeds to children without parental consent beginning in 2027 under a new law Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Friday.
California follows New York state, which passed a law earlier this year allowing parents to block their kids from getting social media posts suggested by a platform's algorithm. Utah has passed laws in recent years aimed at limiting children's access to social media, but they have faced challenges in court.
The California law will take effect in a state home to some of the largest technology companies in the world. Similar proposals have failed to pass in recent years, but Newsom signed a first-in-the-nation law in 2022 barring online platforms from using users' personal information in ways that could harm children. It is part of a growing push in states across the country to try to address the impacts of social media on the well-being of children.
"Every parent knows the harm social media addiction can inflict on their children — isolation from human contact, stress and anxiety, and endless hours wasted late into the night," Newsom said in a statement. "With this bill, California is helping protect children and teenagers from purposely designed features that feed these destructive habits."
The law bans platforms from sending notifications without permission from parents to minors between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m., and between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays from September through May, when children are typically in school. The legislation also makes platforms set children's accounts to private by default.
Opponents of the legislation say it could inadvertently prevent adults from accessing content if they cannot verify their... Read More