The amazing work that went into creating Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes was rewarded by the Visual Effects Society in their Annual Awards, presented at the Beverley Hilton on February 7. The team won both Best Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture and Best Animated Character in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture.

The Transformers three-quel Dark of the Moon was also recognised, winning Best Created Environment in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture for 155 Wacker Drive, and Best Models in a Feature Motion Picture for the Driller. Their colleagues on Transformers the Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle won Best Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project.

Terra Nova was awarded Best Visual Effects in a Broadcast Series for the final two episodes, while Game of Thrones won Best Supporting Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program, as well as Best Created Environment in a Broadcast Program or Commercial for the Icewall.

Rango‘s creators were the highest winners of the evening, walking away with all four animated awards: Visual Effects, Animated Character, Created Environment and Virtual Cinematography.

Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee was given a VES Lifetime Achievement Award, while Douglas Trumbull received the Georges Méliès Award.