Los Angeles, February 20th, 2003: Many of the greatest visual effects storytellers were celebrated and honored for their extraordinary artistry last night at the 1st Annual VES Awards. Over 400 people were in the audience as the award for Best Supporting Visual Effects in a Motion Picture was announced for “The Sum of All Fears” and the effects team of Glenn Neufeld, Derek Spears, Dan Malvin, Al Disarro.

Afterward, Derek Spears, visual effects supervisor for Rhythm & Hues, said “the award is great, but the biggest honor was receiving it from Doug Trumbull.” The pioneering artist behind such visual effects milestones as “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Silent Running,” and “2001: a space odyssey,” Trumbull presented the award to the team selected from the group of nominees that also included “Frida” and “Gangs of New York.”

“The Sum of All Fears” featured more than 140 shots by Rhythm & Hues’ Film division, the primary visual effects contractor. Under the overall direction of Visual Effects Supervisor Glenn Neufeld, Rhythm & Hues produced numerous computer-generated aircraft, mobile missile launchers, a CG missile silo and football stadium, as well as the stunning centerpiece of the film that left audiences breathless: the controversial sequence in which terrorists set off a nuclear bomb on U.S. soil.

Widely known for its high-quality character animation for such movies as “Babe,” “Scooby-Doo” and “Cats & Dogs,” the VES award recognizes the studio’s contributions in the visual effects field. “Often times, it’s the visual effects work in service of story that doesn’t get a lot of attention because the audience isn’t supposed to know that what they’re looking at is synthetic. If we do a really good job, no one knows we’ve been there,” said Lee Berger, executive producer of R&H Films. “That’s why we’re very proud of this recognition.”

Current or recent R&H projects which showcase a strong VFX component include “X-Men 2,” “Daredevil,” “Solaris” and the “The Ring,” while a number of upcoming R&H projects utilize these capabilities, including “Around The World in 80 Days,” and “Welcome to the Jungle.”

For more info: http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/

“The Sum of All Fears” is trademark and © 2002, Paramount Pictures.