Rhys Salcombe, originally from Aberystwyth, Wales, is a visual effects artist who has recently expressed his mixed feelings after his team secured an Oscar for Best Visual Effects for Dune: Part Two.
. Although he conveyed pride in their achievement and appreciation for the acknowledgment of his team’s efforts, he confessed to feeling let down by not getting the chance to deliver a speech at the ceremony.
Salcombe, a creative professional with Welsh-Canadian roots, was present on stage alongside three of his coworkers to accept the esteemed award. However, due to the brief time allowed for speeches, he was unable to express his gratitude or thoughts. Looking back on the event, he termed it as regrettable but recognized the significance of letting his colleagues speak, especially since some had missed out on such chances previously.
In a conversation with BBC Radio Wales, Salcombe mentioned that being on stage as a team representative was a considerable honor. He highlighted that the victory represented the dedication of almost 2,000 individuals who worked on the film’s visual effects, underscoring the teamwork essential for such success. “It’s not merely about the four of us on that stage,” he stated. “It’s about everyone who contributed, and I’m proud to be part of that acknowledgment.”
Salcombe’s path to a career in visual effects was rooted in the picturesque region of Ceredigion, where he spent his childhood. He credited his love for film to the breathtaking surroundings he enjoyed growing up and his parents’ support, who exposed him to cinema from a young age. “The natural beauty around me truly motivated me to capture it with a camera,” he shared. This early interest in film, along with years of refining his skills, ultimately paved the way for his involvement in significant Hollywood projects.
The artist confessed that the rapid succession of events related to the Oscars has been intense. He recounted the night of the ceremony and the celebrations that followed as a whirlwind, mentioning that the full impact of the achievement hasn’t completely registered. Amid the frenzy, he remains hopeful about upcoming ventures and is eagerly anticipating future projects.
When questioned about the potential for a third installment in the Dune series,
series, Salcombe shared his hope that the team would come together again for another movie. Though he humorously noted that his hometown of Aberystwyth might not serve as the perfect setting for the Dune
universe, he did not dismiss the possibility altogether, playfully remarking that bringing in a vast amount of sand would be necessary to make it feasible.
universe, he didn’t rule out the idea entirely, humorously commenting that a significant amount of sand would need to be imported to make it work.
Even though he felt disheartened about missing the chance to speak to the audience at the ceremony, Salcombe is nonetheless appreciative of the opportunity to represent his peers on such a prominent platform. He aspires for his journey to motivate other budding artists from Wales and elsewhere to seek careers in the creative fields.
Despite his disappointment over not being able to address the audience during the ceremony, Salcombe remains grateful for the opportunity to represent his colleagues on such a grand stage. He hopes that his story will inspire other aspiring artists from Wales and beyond to pursue careers in the creative industries.
As the dust settles from the Oscars, Salcombe is already thinking about his next steps. For now, he is taking time to reflect on the journey that brought him to this point, expressing gratitude for the support of his family, friends, and collaborators. While the future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Salcombe’s contributions to the world of visual effects have cemented his place as a rising star in the industry.
