At the 2013 Academy Awards, visual effects supervisor Bill Westenhofer, accepting the award for Rhythm & Hues’ work on Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi,” approached the microphone. “Sadly, Rhythm & Hues is suffering serious financial difficulties now,” he said. “I urge you all to remember …”
Then they started playing John Williams’ ominous theme from “Jaws.” The camera cut to Nicole Kidman, who was seen mouthing the words “poor thing.” Had Westenhofer been able to finish his speech, it would have highlighted the deep schism between the visual effects and animation that audiences love and the financial realities for those who create them.