Rhys Salcombe, a visual effects artist from Aberystwyth, Wales, recently expressed his complex feelings after his team secured the Oscar for Best Visual Effects for Dune: Part Two.
. Although he shared pride in their achievement and gratitude for the acknowledgment of his team’s efforts, he confessed to feeling let down by not having the opportunity to give an acceptance speech at the event.
Salcombe, a creative professional with Welsh and Canadian roots, stood on stage alongside three of his coworkers to accept the esteemed award. Unfortunately, the short time available for speeches meant he couldn’t express his gratitude or thoughts. Looking back, he called it regrettable but recognized the need to let his team members speak, especially since some had missed chances to do so before.
Salcombe, a Welsh-Canadian creative professional, was on stage with three of his colleagues to receive the prestigious award. However, the limited time allotted for speeches meant that he did not get the opportunity to say his thanks or share his thoughts. Reflecting on the moment, he described it as unfortunate but acknowledged the importance of allowing his teammates to speak, particularly as some of them had missed similar opportunities in the past.
Salcombe’s path into the realm of visual effects started amidst the picturesque scenery of Ceredigion, where he spent his formative years. He credits his love for film to the stunning natural surroundings he enjoyed as a child and his parents’ support, who exposed him to movies from a young age. “Being immersed in nature motivated me to capture beauty through a camera lens,” he shared. His early film exposure and years of skill development eventually paved the way for his involvement in significant Hollywood projects.
Salcombe’s journey into the world of visual effects began in the scenic landscapes of Ceredigion, where he grew up. He attributed his passion for film to the natural beauty he experienced as a child and the encouragement of his parents, who introduced him to cinema at an early age. “Being surrounded by nature really inspired me to capture beauty through a camera lens,” he said. His early exposure to film, combined with years of honing his craft, eventually led him to work on major Hollywood productions.
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 disappointed about not speaking to the audience during the ceremony, Salcombe continues to appreciate the chance to represent his team on such a prominent stage. He hopes his journey will motivate other aspiring artists from Wales and elsewhere to follow 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.
