Producer of visual effects Adam O’Brien-Locke did not want to leave an error like the one who declared winner La La Land last year, ruining the Oscar night he had organized at his home in Montreal.
When Blade Runner 2049 was named winner in the Best Visual Effects category on Sunday night, Adam O’Brien-Locke waited a few moments to make sure it was not a mistake.
“I was afraid they might have named the wrong movie as they did last year,” he said in a phone interview on Monday, citing the mistake that ended the Oscars last year.
“I was pleased to see that it was truly Blade Runner 2049. ”
Adam O’Brien-Locke is part of a group of 80 people from the Montreal studio RodeoFX who played a major role in the creation of the special effects of the film by Quebec director Denis Villeneuve.
It is not, however, technically part of the Oscars winners, since only studio supervisors are included in the nominations. The award went to the supervisors John Nelson, Paul Lambert, Richard R. Hoover and Gerd Nefzer. During his thank you speech, however, Richard R. Hoover thanked his “friends in Montreal”, adding, “Thank you very much, it is for you.”
Adam O’Brien-Locke says that this moment has given him a sense of pride for all that RodeoFX has accomplished for this film.
“Many people have contributed to the visual effects (…) and put their heart on the screen,” he said.
Although he was not invited to the ceremony in Hollywood, he says Sunday night was a memorable one with family and friends.
“Yes, of course, there is snow on the ground and I was probably in fleece pants rather than tuxedos, but we could still have our own party, our own celebration, here in Canada.”
