Not only is it the silly season but the awards season is underway now as well. For sci-fi fans these awards don’t usually mean a lot, as our favourite films usually end up relegated to nothing more than special effects awards, as if sci-fi isn’t capable of having great stories that are well acted. At the recent International Press Academy’s Satellite Awards another master of the genre was recognised for his technical excellence. Stan Winston has created some of the most memorable and iconic screen creatures in recent memory, probably only rivalled by Lon Chaney, From Aliens to Terminator to more recent films like Jurassic Park and AI up to contemporary movies such as Constantine as well as his studio’s work on Doom and War of the Worlds. Winston’s winning is a great acknowledgement of the lasting endearment to mechanically created monsters in this time overwhelmed by CGI.
He joins other greats of the genre, such as George Lucas and James Cameron, in receiving the Tesla Award for Recognition of Visionary Achievement. He can now add this to his collection of four Oscars®, three BAFTAs and two Emmys as well as countless other industry awards.
The award is fittingly named after the world’s greatest electrical and mechanical engineer, Nikola Tesla. To read more about this genius and his achievements click here and be amazed.