Computer Animation Festival

Speaker(s):
Ken Ralston, Sony Pictures Imageworks, United States of America

Speaker:

Abstract: We’ll talk with Ralston about being “raised by monsters,” retaining his childlike sense of wonder, his origin story, idols and inspirations, standout cinematic moments and tales from his storied journey in filmed entertainment…and more!

Speaker(s) Bio:
A smart-talking cartoon rabbit in a live action film…Meryl Streep’s head twisting right around…Forrest Gump’s Olympic ping pong battle and handshakes with a trio of presidents…alien encounters with a group of senior citizens in Florida…the continuing saga of Luke and Leia in a galaxy far, far away – these represent just some of the extraordinary visual effects work that has cemented Visual Effects Supervisor Ken Ralston’s place in history. Ralston is a VES Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and has earned five Academy Awards, including a Special Achievement Oscar for the visual effects in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi and VFX Oscars for Forrest Gump, Death Becomes Her, the revolutionary Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Cocoon. He was also Oscar-nominated for The Rocketeer, Jumanji, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Dragonslayer, Back to the Future Part II and Alice in Wonderland (3D). Ralston served as the Creative Head at Sony Pictures Imageworks, and prior to that, played a pivotal role in advancing Industrial Light & Magic’s renown over the course of 20 years.

Speaker: