Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Visual Effects Society Names Award-winning Visual Effects Supervisor-Director of Photography Robert Legato, ASC as Recipient of the VES Award for Creative Excellence

17/03/2021

Visual Effects Society Names Award-winning Visual Effects Supervisor-Director of Photography Robert Legato, ASC as Recipient of the VES Award for Creative Excellence

data-src=https://creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/avatars/263018/5fa08c562aaf4-bpthumb.jpg data-srcset=https://creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/avatars/263018/5fa08c561c0e7-bpfull.jpg 2x class=lazyload avatar avatar-80 photo height=80 width=80 />

Brie Clayton March 16, 2021

0 Comments

Today, the Visual Effects Society (VES), the industry's professional global honorary society, named acclaimed visual effects supervisor, second unit director and director of photography Robert Legato, ASC, as the forthcoming recipient of the VES Award for Creative Excellence in recognition of his valuable contributions to filmed entertainment. The award will be presented at the 19th Annual VES Awards, streaming worldwide on April 6/7 (depending on time zone) and hosted by comedian Patton Oswalt.

The VES Award for Creative Excellence, bestowed by the VES Board of Directors, recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the art and science of the visual effects industry by uniquely and consistently creating compelling and creative imagery in service to story. The VES will honor Legato for breaking new ground in translating virtual production into live-action filmmaking with stunning photographic realism. He has been at the forefront of embracing and advancing technology to enhance the cinematic experience, and his creative vision and inventive techniques have paved the way for future generations of filmmakers.

data-src=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/16174621/R-Legato-Headshot1000-819x1024.jpg alt= class=lazyload wp-image-2406086 data-srcset=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/16174621/R-Legato-Headshot1000-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/16174621/R-Legato-Headshot1000-240x300.jpg 240w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/16174621/R-Legato-Headshot1000-768x960.jpg 768w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/16174621/R-Legato-Headshot1000-624x780.jpg 624w, https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/16174621/R-Legato-Headshot1000.jpg 1000w data-sizes=(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px /> Throughout his career, Rob Legato has shown a rare talent for using cutting-edge technology to engage us in deeply visceral storytelling, said Lisa Cooke, VES Board Chair. A highly visual storyteller, Rob has consistently elevated not just the technical aspect of visual effects, but also the emotional. His pioneering work has truly raised the bar and helped redefine entertainment on a global level. He is a defining force of the visual effects community and we are honored to award Rob with the prestigious Visual Effects Society Award for Creative Excellence.

As honored as I am to receive the VES Award for Creative Excellence, I am humbled by the knowledge that this would not be possible without the dedication and creative excellence of the many artists I have had the fortunate opportunity to work with over the years , said Legato. I am so very grateful for the continued generosity of this community for their camaraderie and willingness to share their unique vision and valuable secrets of their successes. Bravo to the VES for encouraging and fostering creative excellence each year with the wonderful recognition it bestows upon our community. Thank you to the Board of Directors, as well as to the thousands of colleagues over the years who contributed so mightily to the very definition of this particular award.

Renowned visual effects supervisor, cinematographer and innovator Legato has received numerous accolades for his pioneering work, including three Academy Awards (Titanic, Hugo, The Jungle Book), two BAFTAs, five VES awards, three Satellite Awards and a Tesla Award. He is an industry leader creating the next generation of cutting edge live-action content, leveraging the power of gaming engines, while maintaining the visual and storytelling ethos of traditional filmmaking.

Legato has most recently been in the spotlight for his groundbreaking live-action animation on Disney's The Lion King and The Jungle Book with director Jon Favreau. He has enjoyed rich creative relationships with numerous top directors and his filmography includes a long list of some of the most well-known films of all time, including The Aviator, Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street and Hugo with Martin Scorsese; Apollo 13 with Ron Howard; Cast Away and What Lies Beneath with Robert Zemeckis; and Titanic and Avatar with James Cameron. Legato is also credited with conceiving and creating the breakthrough virtual cinematography pipeline and virtual production techniques used by Cameron on the game-changing blockbuster Avatar. Legato's most recent film was the acclaimed Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, where he served as Co-Second Unit Director and VFX consultant.

Legato started his career in television and was an Emmy Award-winning Visual Effects Supervisor for Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. After his career in television for Paramount Pictures, Legato joined Digital Domain, and began his film career on Neil Jordan's Interview with the Vampire, and later joined Sony Pictures Imageworks.

Previous winners of the VES Award for Creative Excellence are Visual Effects Supervisor Sheena Duggal and Creators-Executive Producers-Writers-Directors David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.

To view the full list of VES Awards nominees (previously announced), visit: https://www.visualeffectssociety.com/press-releases/19th-annual-ves-awards-nominees/

To purchase sponsorships, tickets or tribute book ads, visit: http://bit.ly/VESAwardsticketing

data-src=https://gcs.creativecow.net/wp-conte
LINK: https://creativecow.net/visual-effects-society-names-award-winning-vis...
See more stories from creativecow

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

07/10/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Media Operations from Ingest to Distribution

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...

06/09/2026

Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Germany with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos

June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...

04/08/2026

Dalet Announces Commercial Availability of Dalia, Bringing Media-Aware Agentic AI to Enterprise Productions

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

15/07/2026

S&P Analysis: Three Quarters of Americans Watch Live Sports

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

15/07/2026

Scripps Sports, Ion Score Women's Volleyball Rights

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

15/07/2026

NVIDIA and Japan Bring Full-Stack AI and Robotics to Every Industry

Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers and infrastructure builders, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI - building across the full stack wit...

14/07/2026

Bowling Green State Upgrades Doyt Perry Stadium With New Daktronics LED Display

South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...

14/07/2026

Mizzou Athletics Launches Connected Digital Platform

Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...

14/07/2026

DePaul Athletics, Playfly Sports Agree to Multimedia Rights Partnership

Agreement spans sponsorship sales, digital monetization, radio production, and new practice facility naming rights...

14/07/2026

American Association Expands Broadcast Reach Through FanDuel Sports Network Partnership

Independent league adds 14 regional sports network affiliates, growing distribut...

14/07/2026

Euroleague Basketball Introduces Euroleague Basketball+ Digital Ecosystem Initiative

New strategy aims to unify competitions, content, fan engagement, and commercial...

14/07/2026

Professional Fighters League, ESPN Reach Multi-Year Media Rights Deal for Brazil

ESPN and Disney+ become exclusive home of PFL events in key international MMA market...

14/07/2026

TEGNA Names Scott Gill VP of Technology and Operations

Gill will oversee engineering, technology, and sports operations across the company's 64 local television stations...

14/07/2026

Guest Post: Dynamic Media Facilities Could Reshape the Future of Broadcast Workflows

Submitted by North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) As broadcasters con...

14/07/2026

Bayerischer Rundfunk Debuts Fully Software-Defined SMPTE ST 2110 Radio OB Van Built Around Lawo Technology

Modernized mobile unit combines HOME Apps, mc 56 console, and IP infrastructure ...

14/07/2026

Scripps Sports, ION Secure U.S. Rights to 2027 FIVB Womens Volleyball World Cup

Every match of the 32-team tournament will air across ION and Scripps Sports platforms in English and Spanish...

14/07/2026

FloSports Lands Exclusive U.S. Rights to IIHF Mens World Championship Beginning in 2027

FloHockey to stream every game of the annual international tournament under four...

14/07/2026

Minnesota Lynx Add Three Games to KARE 11s Over-the-Air Schedule

Victory+ telecasts to be simulcast on TEGNA-owned station, expanding free local distribution...

14/07/2026

Avalanche Tones debut with Chainsaw Suite

Plug-ins for heavy music Avalanche Tones is the brainchild of Ava Toton, a 17-year-old musician and developer who says her goal is to make the lives of gui...

14/07/2026

IK Multimedia introduce ReSing Voices Brazilian Pack

Launched alongside new Singer Showcase purchase model IK Multimedia's innovative vocal-synthesis software has just gained its latest voice add-on, the R...

14/07/2026

MIDI Innovations Awards 2026

Registration open until 1 September 2026 The MIDI Association have revealed that the registration deadline for this year's MIDI Innovation Awards has no...

14/07/2026

Launchkey MK4 88 joins Novation line-up

88-note model completes MK4 range Novation have just introduced the final model in their flagship MIDI controller keyboard range, the Launchkey MK4 88. Roun...

14/07/2026

CBS Atlanta Adds a Noon Newscast

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

14/07/2026

Tegna Names Scott Gill VP, Technology and Operations

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

14/07/2026

Colorado Wildfires Bring Close Call for Broadcasters

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

14/07/2026

IBC2026 sets conference agenda

IBC2026 has unveiled a powerful Conference programme bringing together global media leaders, technology innovators, creators, sports organisations, broadcasters...

14/07/2026

Nominations for Best of Show Awards at IBC2026 Now Open

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

14/07/2026

Broadcast Solutions delivers industry-first software-defi...

Broadcast Solutions, a leading systems integrator and provider of innovative solutions for the broadcast media industry, has delivered two highly capable outsid...

14/07/2026

UPDATED: Scripps, DirecTV End Blackout, Ink New Retrans Deal

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

14/07/2026

12 States Sue to Block $110 Billion Warner Bros./Paramount Merger

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

14/07/2026

Heidi Raphael to Head N.Y. State Broadcasters Association

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

14/07/2026

CBS Atlanta Expands Live Local News Programming

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

14/07/2026

Nemotron Labs: How Open Models Give Enterprises and Nations AI They Can Trust, Control and Customize

Editor's note: This post is part of the Nemotron Labs blog series, which exp...

14/07/2026

Techtel Successfully Relocates AICD Broadcast Studio to New Sydney Headquarters

Techtel Successfully Relocates AICD Broadcast Studio to New Sydney Headquarters BroadcastBroadcast EquipmentLive StreamingBroadcast Studio2026 14 July Writ...

14/07/2026

First look revealed for Friday the 13th prequel, Crystal Lake, from A24 coming to Sky and NOW in the UK and Ireland this October

Tuesday 14 July 2026 First look revealed for Friday the 13th prequel, Crystal ...

14/07/2026

Surround Is Still the Standard

When immersive audio dominates industry headlines, it's easy to assume that every broadcaster is preparing for an Atmos future. The reality is quite differ...

14/07/2026

Fresh Thinking from MAD//Fest London 2026

Emma and Sophie from ICG's marketing team joined thousands of fellow marketers, brands and agencies at MAD//Fest London 2026, one of the UK's biggest ma...

14/07/2026

Seven paradoxes shaping the next era of media production - Episode 3

Why Trusted and Secure Media Operations Matter In this series, we explore the technologies, architectures and operational realities shaping modern media operati...

14/07/2026

How Merchants Can Prepare for the Next Evolution in Digital Commerce

Pilot Project Shows How Retailers Are Prepared for the Next Step in the Evolution of Digital Commerce Arvato Systems Drives Agentic Commerce Forward G terslo...

14/07/2026

Building a more sustainable future - Our commitment to climate action

As part of this commitment, weve joined the SME Climate Hub, publicly pledging to: measure our greenhouse gas emissions reduce them in line with a net zero p...

14/07/2026

Why Performance per Watt Is the Ultimate Metric for AI Infrastructure Efficiency

Power is AI infrastructure's inescapable constraint. How many tokens an AI factory can generate within a fixed power budget determines its revenue and profi...

13/07/2026

BravesVision GM Jeff Cravens on Launching MLB's Newest Team-Owned Network in 35 Days

The Braves opted to keep production in-house rather than hand it off to MLB...

13/07/2026

Behind The Mic: Adam Schefter Signs Multi-Year Extension with ESPN

Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and repo...

13/07/2026

Eurovision Sport and European Athletics Bring Live Athletics to More Fans with Multilingual AI Commentary Initiative

Eurovision Sport is making live athletics more accessible to fans than ever befo...

13/07/2026

Milwaukee Bucks Return to Full-Season Over-the-Air Television for First Time in 31 Years

The Milwaukee Bucks will return to full-season over-the-air television for the 2...

13/07/2026

SMPTE Expands Education Offerings with Connected Learning Path for IP Media Workflows

SMPTE has announced an expanded education pathway for media technology professio...

13/07/2026

Vizrt Graphics Power Netflix MVP MMA Event at Intuit Dome

Vizrt has announced that its graphics technology was used by broadcast design agency Girraphic for Netflix's debut MVP MMA event, broadcast live from the In...

13/07/2026

ARRI To Sell Global Rental Business to H2 Equity Partners in Management Buyout

ARRI has announced an agreement to sell its global rental activities in Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America to H2 Equity Partners through a management...

13/07/2026

DAZN and Premier Boxing Champions Announce Global Broadcasting Partnership

DAZN has announced a partnership with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) to bring PBC fight nights to DAZN subscribers globally. The partnership begins Saturday, Ju...