Pixar’s Pete Docter to Receive Honorary Membership in the Visual Effects Society

The Visual Effects Society has announced its newest lifetime and honorary members. In particular Oscar-winning director Pete Docter, known for projects such as Monsters Inc., Inside Out, and Soul, will become an honorary member of the VES while Jeff Barnes, Toni Pace Carstensen, Patricia “Rose” Duignan, David Tanaka, and Pam Hogarth will become lifetime members of the organization. Hogarth will also accept this year’s Founders Award. All of the future members will be celebrated during a special event in October.

Hogarth is recognized for her contributions to visual effects and VES. As a professional in VFX and computer graphics for over 35 years, she has taken many roles, from marketing to industry relations to education. Hogarth ran the Digital Media Institute in Hollywood and has supported the growth of the digital program at The American Film Institute (AFI). She has also taught at Art Directors Guild, Otis College of Art and Design, cgsociety.org, and Gnomon.

Barnes, former VES chair and current executive vice president of creative development at Light Field Lab, co-founded and led several companies such as CaféFX, The Syndicate and Sententia Entertainment. Carstensen served as the founding treasurer of VES and co-edited the first edition of the Society’s Handbook of Visual Effects. She has worked as a VFX producer/digital production manager on Avatar. Diugnan worked for more than twelve years at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) where she created the ILM Daycare Center. She continues to support marginalized groups in VFX through the VES Education Committee.

VFX creative director, editor, and producer Tanaka is part of Tippett Studio. He is also an adjunct professor for the Academy of Art University. At VES Tanaka was the Bay Area section chair and the second vice chair on the board of directors. VFX editor, producer and creative director Tanaka works at Tippett Studio and serves as an adjunct professor for the Academy of Art University. He served as VES Bay Area section chair and a 2nd vice chair on the board of directors.

Here is a statement by VES board chair Lisa Cooke:

Our VES honorees represent a group of exceptional artists, innovators and professionals who have had a profound impact on the field of visual effects. We are proud to recognize those who helped shape our shared legacy and continue to inspire future generations of VFX practitioners.