Last night, students, professors and filmmakers alike celebrated the art of artifice as the 12th Annual Virginia Film Festival commenced.
In a departure from the more introspective themes of the past, this year's Festival honors "TechnoVision." The selections recognize the many innovations being made in the world of film technology today, while also looking back at the influence of changing technology throughout film history.
One of the guests at last night's opening gala, held at the Bayly Art Museum, was Academy Award-winning makeup and visual effects expert Stan Winston, a 1968 University graduate.
When asked about his support for the University's Capital Campaign fund-raising drive, Winston said, "One of the reasons I'm here and one of the reasons that I've been involved in the Arts Council is ... so that the fine art and performing arts programs at Virginia could be stronger."
Winston said that in the past he could not recommend the university to people eager to follow his career path.
"Now I will be able to recommend Virginia because there is so much energy in bringing the arts of this school up to the standard of the rest of the school," he said.
Joining Winston last night at the Festival was three-time Oscar nominee Sigourney Weaver, who has worked with Winston on her upcoming film "Galaxy Quest" as well as in "Aliens," which is to be shown this weekend at the Festival.
"Stan is a good friend and wonderful at what he does," she said in an interview with The Cavalier Daily. "He's not only a wonderful person but has influenced many people."
Weaver said that Winston's training as an actor is what enables him to be successful as a special effects craftsman.
"He really understands how to get the best out of the creature, and to make the actor believe it," she said. "If we're not buying it, we're not going to be able to sell it, and it won't work for the audience."
Weaver's film "A Map of the World" will also preview at the Festival before its release later this fall. Weaver said that she is very proud of the movie.
"It's one of those pictures that just keeps coming back to you, I think, and you don't get to do many pictures like that," Weaver said.
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