PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST came up a winner at the BAFTA Awards, as Gore Verbinski’s film claimed the trophy for Special Visual Effects. Congratulations to John Knoll, Hal Hickel, Charles Gibson and Allen Hall, and the dozens of talented technicians who worked with them to create Davy Jones, his Flying Dutchman crew, and the other effects that made DEAD MAN’S CHEST unique and exciting. Discussing his work on DEAD MAN’S CHEST, John Knoll recently said, “Looking at the whole show, there was a mixture of things . [. . .] We had physical effects, miniatures, CG matte paintings, CG water. But, Davy Jones was the significant aspect; I think everyone really liked Davy Jones. It took a lot of effort to put a system in place that preserved the nuances of Bill Nighy’s performance and was actor and director friendly.” Modestly, Knoll adds, “A lot of the things we did to make that character happen succeeded.” Agreed!

The Zone thanks Gilbert’s Girl for the awards news and Rum Lover for the John Knoll interview. –Part-Time Poet