The New York Section of the Visual Effects Society (VES) will honor Vico Sharabani, director, VFX supervisor and founder of The-Artery, with the VES NY Empire Award, and Dr. Russ Andersson, creator and developer of Boris FX SynthEyes, with the VES NY Empire Technology Award. The 10th Annual VES NY Awards will take place on Thursday evening, June 27, at 230 Fifth (Rooftop Bar) in Manhattan.
The VES NY Empire Award, celebrating its 10th anniversary, recognizes individuals who have made significant and impactful contributions to visual effects artistry in film, animation, television, commercials, video games, and special venues throughout the greater New York area. The VES NY Empire Technology Award honors outstanding achievement in visual effects technological innovation. During the event, VES New York section members whose work in recent years has been recognized at the prestigious VES Awards will also be celebrated for their creative excellence.
Sharabani will receive the 2024 Empire Award in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to the advertising and film industry over the past 26 years. Sharabani’s impressive visual effects work spans dozens of films with renowned directors such as Wes Anderson, Stephen Soderbergh, and Noah Baumbach. His portfolio also includes high-profile commercials and experiential work for brands like Mercedes-Benz, Nike, and AT&T, along with iconic music videos for artists including Beyoncé, Coldplay, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, and Bob Dylan. As one of the world’s foremost Autodesk Flame® artists, Sharabani has mentored hundreds of emerging talents throughout his celebrated career in New York City.
Andersson is a distinguished computer scientist and expert in real-time computer vision and robotics. In 2003, Andersson began developing SynthEyes, an innovative 3D camera tracking software application that has made its mark on Hollywood blockbusters and renowned TV shows, including Black Panther, The Guardians of the Galaxy series, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Pan’s Labyrinth, Lost, Stranger Things, and Game of Thrones. In 2023, Andersson and SynthEyes joined VFX software company Boris FX.
“As we celebrate the 10th Annual VES New York Awards, we are honored to bestow the VES NY Empire Award and VES NY Empire Tech Award to two prominent individuals whose work over the decades continues to elevate the art of visual effects storytelling and production,” said Jose Marin, VES New York Section Board chairman. “Sharabani’s creative vision and leadership consistently push the boundaries of what is possible in visual effects filmed entertainment, while Dr. Andersson’s pioneering software development of SynthEyes has revolutionized 3D camera tracking, enabling countless successful film and television productions.”
Previous recipients of the VES Empire Award include Randy Balsmeyer, award-winning title designer and visual effects supervisor; Darren Aronofsky, director and co-founder of Blue Sky Studios; Lesley Robson-Foster, acclaimed visual effects supervisor; and Ken Perlin, a pioneer in the field of graphics research.
SMPTE elects board officers, regional governors
SMPTE®,the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has revealed the board officers and regional governors who will serve terms beginning in January 2025.
Three new officers--Richard Welsh as SMPTE president, Eric Gsell as SMPTE executive VP, and Polly Hickling as SMPTE Education VP--have been elected for a two-year term from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026. One SMPTE officer, Lisa Hobbs, will be continuing her service as SMPTE secretary and treasurer for another two-year term. Additionally, Raymond Yeung will be stepping into the role of standards VP on Jan. 1, 2025.
“SMPTE’s membership has spoken,” said SMPTE interim executive director Sally-Ann D’Amato. “These officers have been tasked with an important responsibility, one each of them is prepared to tackle head-on. These next two years are looking bright for SMPTE!”
In addition to the officers, 10 regional governors were elected by the Society to serve two-year 2025-2026 terms.
These include the following regional governors, re-elected to continue their service:
Asia-Pacific Region Governor
Tony Ngai, Society of Motion Imaging Ltd.
EMEA - Central & South America Region Governor
Fernando Bittencourt, FB Consultant
United Kingdom Region Governor
Chris Johns, Sky UK.
USA - Central Region Governor
William T. Hayes, Consultant
USA - Eastern Region Governor
Dover Jeanne Mundt, Riedel Communications
USA - Western Region Governor
Jeffrey F. Way, Open Drives
Also elected were four newcomers to the SMPTE Board:
Canada Region Governor
Jonathan Jobin, Grass Valley
USA - Hollywood Region Governor
Allan Schollnick, Voxx... Read More