The Norwegian VFX industry’s award show cast sail last Saturday, and what a show it was! A collective thanks goes out to the award committee for organizing such an event. Also, thanks to the guests, those who sendt in their entries, winners and sponsors of both time, effort and money to make this evening memorable. It truly was a show by us, for us!
This year’s winners:
VFX in Commercial: Gimpville, STC F1
VFX in Feature/Serial: Storm Studio, The Electric State
Animation in Commercial: Expanse, Lendo
Animation in Feature/Serial: Saurus Animation, Rocky Road
Animation in Short: Animaskin, Sult
Outstanding 3D Modelling: Abel Sardido Reyes, The Electric State
Outstanding Character Animation: Kristoffer Damskau, Når Nettene Blir Lange
Outstanding FX: Elmar Bragi Einarsson, Star Trek
Outstanding Texturing & Lighting: Gjermund Føllevik Eskedal, The Electric State
Outstanding Compositing: Kasper Klaveness, The Electric State
Student VFX Shot: Jo Westby Thorsen, md290
Student Animation: Sunniva Steen, Dreamveil
Student Short Film: Sean Brian Rowlands & Ådne Storhagen, Voyager
Special thanks to:
Our captains – Lars Ellingbø and Alf Martin Løvvold – for hosting us on board. This year’s jury – Rune Spaans, Thomas Grønvoll, Brage Raassum and Stephanie Erso. Our amazing sponsors – Saurus Animation, Gimpville, Expanse, Stardust Effects and Hansa. And last but not least, Sjøscenen for having us! Also, shoutout to THE VILLA for letting an unusually large crowd of introverted nerds in for the afterparty… Once again — congratulations to all the winners!
In May this year, Morten Moen, Associate Professor at Kristiania University College, attended the renowned FMX conference in Stuttgart – a leading gathering for professionals in visual effects (VFX), animation, and immersive media. Together with five colleagues, he represented the research project Kontroll AI, which explores how artificial intelligence can be integrated into creative production workflows – without losing human control.
From left to right: Ivar Kjellmo, Alvaró Lomba, Morten Moen, Marie Dahlén, Sigbjørn Galåen, Henning Birkeland.
AI in Production: Between Control and Creativity
AI was a red-hot topic at this year’s conference, and it quickly became clear that both academic and industry professionals are grappling with the same questions: How do we maintain creative control when using AI? And how can we use AI as a tool – rather than a replacement for human-made art, expression, and innovation?
According to Moen, for many, the solution is not to generate full videos using AI, but to use the tools to develop CG assets and then move forward using the traditional production pipeline. The big ethical dilemma with AI-generated content remains: Can it truly be considered art, or is it just a copy of a copy of a copy?
– “There’s something a little sad about the creative process disappearing,” says Moen. “For us, it’s about finding methodologies that allow us to stay in control and preserve creativity. We’re not interested in rolling the dice and getting a random set of images back — we want to shape a deliberate artistic expression.”
A New Focus on “Computer Arts”
Kristiania University College also had its own stand at FMX, where they presented a new bachelor’s program in Computer Arts. The program combines elements from VFX, 3D graphics, animation, and game design, and now embraces a broader international perspective. The university’s goal is to attract international students, something Moen is optimistic about. The first semester will see 60 to 80 students start together, with the program branching out in the second semester to allow students to specialize and follow their individual paths.
A new master’s program in Media Arts is also on the way.
– We’re already seeing interest from international students, which is exciting. At the same time, we’re working on translating our curriculum and VFX compendium into English to make it accessible to everyone, Moen explains.
An Industry in Flux
One of the most engaging debates at the conference focused on the current state of the VFX industry. Participants included Scott Ross, former CEO of Industrial Light & Magic, senior VP at Lucasfilm, and founder of Digital Domain, as well as David Li, chairman of Dream Machine and the world’s most active VFX investor. Li presented an overwhelmingly optimistic view of the industry’s future, especially in relation to AI, while Ross maintained that the industry has always been bad and always will be. (paraphrasing -Moen)
Joseph Bell showcased the site vfxAtlas.com, presenting data and statistics that highlighted both decline and emerging opportunities. Statistics that lie freely available as a pdf on his website for interested parties.
– “We’ve seen closures among some major players, while virtual production (VP) is gaining attention. Interestingly, it now seems that the education sector is the main driving force behind VP, rather than the commercial market. Commercial use is seeing a downward trend,” says Moen.
AI as a Tool – Not a Replacement
Moen emphasizes that, as of now, AI works best as a tool, not as a replacement for creative professionals.
– “We use AI, but only for specific parts of the process. There’s still a strong need for people who can think, shape, and create. What we want is for our students to find jobs where they do more than just write prompts.”
However, he acknowledges that some job categories, such as rotoscoping, may disappear or be drastically reshaped in the near future.
– “It’s hard to predict, and the development moves fast. It’s crucial that we prepare our students for a flexible future where technology changes rapidly – but where their insight and creativity still hold great value.”
All impressions from FMX mentioned above are Moen’s own. This interview was conducted and written in Norwegian and translated with the help of chatGPT.
This year, we’re taking to the sea — the event will take place on a boat, offering a unique setting for the awards ceremony and a chance for the entire community to connect and celebrate another year of excellence in visual storytelling, technical achievement, and artistic innovation.
See you all there!
Please be aware that The Norwegian VFX Awards is an 18+ event due to alcohol being served. We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience, so valid ID will be required upon entry.
The announcement of a new “Starship Troopers” film directed by Neill Blomkamp has generated excitement online, and with good reason. This anticipation is rooted in the original film’s legacy. Visually from the early days of VFX and thematic, the relevance of its message in today’s world. And then there’s Blomkamp’s distinctive filmmaking style: Grounded in reality, gritty, realistic, and often shot with documentary-like, over-the-shoulder storytelling. What isn’t there to be excited about?
The original 1997 films bugs were brought to life using a blend of practical models and CGI. Designs were digitized using custom 3D scanners and refined within Softimage. A lot of new ground was made in the creation of this film, like matchmove with the team collecting precise camera movement data on set, allowing CGI elements to be accurately composited into the film. Realistic lighting, as digital models were carefully lit to match the cinematography of the practical shots, improving believability. Not to forget the new techniques for animating complex crowds, and insect rigs that could be controlled and animated with physical riggs by the animators.
Sony is behind the new adaptation, which is not a remake of Paul Verhoeven’s 1997 film, but rather will go back to the 1959 novel as source material.
-Hollywood Reporter
Even though the new film might not share the same esthetique as the 1997 fillm, there is room in this article for a little trip down memory lane and this behind the scenes video. Enjoy!
Neill Blomkamp’s Visionary Direction
Neill Blomkamp, a South African-Canadian filmmaker, is known for his science fiction films that blend realistic visual effects with social commentary. He started out as a 3D artist and animator and has animation credits from Stargate SG1 and 3000 miles to Graceland, among others. His notable directorial works include “District 9,” “Elysium,” and “Chappie.” Blomkamp has previously blown us away, with his knowledge of how to plan for and film for VFX. As he experiments, chooses a path and executes the process that combines naturalistic and photo-realistic, story-driven computer-generated effects. His films often address themes like xenophobia and social segregation. (Neill Blomkamp – Wikipedia)
In 2017, Blomkamp founded Oats Studios, an independent film studio focused on producing experimental short films. The goal was to distribute these films via platforms like YouTube and Steam to gauge audience interest and feedback, determining which concepts could be expanded into feature films. This approach reflects Blomkamp’s commitment to innovative storytelling and visual experimentation.
Expectations for the New Adaptation
Given the original film’s cult status and its innovative visual effects, the new “Starship Troopers” has high expectations to meet. However, Blomkamp’s track record suggests he is well-equipped to deliver a film that honors the original’s legacy while introducing contemporary visual storytelling techniques. His ability to blend thought-provoking narratives with cutting-edge visual effects could result in a “Starship Troopers” that resonates with both longtime fans and new audiences.
The upcoming “Starship Troopers” film, under Neill Blomkamp’s direction, holds promise not only for its potential visual spectacle but also for its capacity to engage with enduring and relevant themes. By leveraging his experience in creating immersive, socially conscious science fiction, Blomkamp is poised to deliver a film that both honors the original and offers fresh perspectives for today’s viewers.
This article was a collaboration between a human and an AI. Most of the text was written by an author, edited by an AI and finalized by a human. Sources are:
On February 4th, we held our annual meeting (Årsmøte) to review the past year, discuss future plans, and gather valuable feedback from our members.
Chairman Transition
First and foremost, we thanked Morten Moen for his pivotal role in founding the association and for his excellent leadership as chairman over the past years. Morten stepped up and brought extensive industry knowledge and an inspiring network to our board. As he steps down, we are excited to welcome Stephanie Erso as our new chairman. We look forward to her fresh perspectives and continued dedication.
Review of 2024 Activities
Stephanie reviewed the key activities of 2024, highlighting the success of our AI seminar and the subsequent industry award show. We also discussed the association’s financial status and our commitment to delivering quality events. During the meeting, we used among other things, a show-of-hands poll to gather feedback, which revealed a strong interest in:
More meetups and academic content
Earlier event start times
New event formats, such as a dedicated Christmas party for self-employed artists, trailer and clip discussion nights, and casual show-and-tell sessions
Venue Considerations
Another important topic was whether Tilt remains the ideal venue for our events. Due to Tilt’s strict 20-year-old-only policy, some student members have been unable to attend key presentations. Additionally, while the current financial arrangement with Tilt has been manageable, there are indications that prices may soon increase. We therefore encouraged attendees to help us identify a cost-effective, centrally located venue with ample space for talks and networking.
If you have any comments or suggestions regarding these topics, please don’t hesitate to contact us through our About page.
Thanks to the students that showed us what they have been creating during their time at the different institutions. It was a good show with some impressive visuals! We are hoping to make this an anual event, so if you are a student and wish to join us for next years student showcase, its never to late to start screenrecording for the behind the scenes shots 🙂
Thanks to all students who graced us with and presented their work:
On the 8th of June we were happy to see the fruits of our labour come to fruition! It was an exciting day of perspectives and talks on AI in general, showcasing tools that are being used now in the aid of filmmaking, and talks of what to expect in the future. After half a year of planning it was nice to experience the collected reasoning, assurances and viewpoints, and see the creative industries gather and disguss. Truly inspiring!
From the left: Morten Moen, Morten Goodwin, Johannes Skoog, Theodor Groeneboom.
After a brief introduction by Morten Moen, head of the VFX assosiation, Morten Goodwin took us through the inner workings of AI and machine learning, explaining how the technology has been pushing boundries and how it has developed in the last six years. It was a fascinating talk on how machines learn and adapt and how information is handled in an AI model. Theodor Groeneboom showcased how he works with different AI tools in various productions and how those tools help him develope ideas and preproduction material. Groeneboom gave us a greater understanding of the significance of open source contributions and the way they can shape our industry. There was so much information regarding said tools that I think that would make a cool article in itself! Jan Christian Frugård showed us his plans for the future of filmmaking, demonstrating how he intends to create a shortfilm using many new AI tools to test and develop new ways of making film, and widen the path that we tread today. He was looking for audience partisipation and was open to help and input from the entire industry, having already secured some finances from NFI. Johannes Skoog showed us how virtual production is a big part of the future of filmmaking and how AI and VP can go hand-in-hand. He gave us examples of projects passed, and spoke of how AI can streamline some processes. He wrapped up his talk with a Q&A session with many insightfull points about his work.
Johannes Skoog showcasing how he uses AI tools for preproduction.
After the seminar we had a paneldebate consisting of important figures in the industry, discussing the future, with their thoughts on AI and the way forward. As it turns out, the panel was in agreance on most points and the debate was less debate-y than first antisipated. In a way we all agreed with the points made and concluded somewhat in unison. AI is a tool to be used, but we will have to take caution on the road to fast results.
From the left: Moderator; Kim Bauman Larsen, Theodor Groeneboom (Rebel Unit), Karl Erlandsen (Qvisten Animation) and Lars Erik Hansen (Gimpville)
After feedback from you, our audience, we are happy to announce that the talks during the AI seminar-day will be in English. With this change, we hope that we can reach an even wider audience, and inspire everyone with a footing in the creative industry to come, regardless of language!
Johannes Skoog is one of the founders of VP Nordic, offering flexible solutions in Virtual Production (VP) throughout Scandinavia. Virtual Production is a technology where digital environments and visual effects are created and manipulated in real time during filming, giving filmmakers the unique opportunity to see and interact with these elements directly on set. This results in greater creative freedom and efficiency in film production.
Our roster is full and our program is available here! We are very excited to be joined by Johannes Skoog amongst others to fill our day with mind expanding knowledge and perspective! Get your tickets today!
Mr. Groeneboom brings 20 years of visual effects for feature films, broadcast projects and commercials. He is known for several awards (VES, Amanda ++) for work on Gravity, Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy, among others. Groeneboom is founder and supervisor at Rebel Unit in Bergen – a small creative boutique with an emphasis on creative visual development and exploration with procedural and algorithmic computation.
We are up in the clouds! So excited to see Groeneboom present his talk on the creative usage of of AI in visual effects. Cant wait! Can you?
