LOS ANGELES — The Visual Effects Society (VES) has announced its 2021 board of directors officers. The officers, who comprise the VES Board Executive Committee, were elected at the January 2021 board meeting and include Lisa Cooke, who was elected board chair, making her the first woman to hold this role in the Society’s history. The five officers embody the global makeup up the Society, coming from sections in the United States, New Zealand and London.
“The Society is proud to have exceptional leadership represented on our executive committee,” says Eric Roth, VES executive director. “This is a group of impassioned and venerated professionals with a vision for the Society’s future, especially amidst this time of dynamic change. We appreciate their commitment to serve our organization and our members worldwide.”
Cooke has spent several decades in the entertainment industry as an animation/FX industry producer, story consultant, screenwriter and actor. She founded Green Ray Media, and for the last 10-plus years, has been producing animation and VFX to create scientific, medical and environmental media. Cooke has worked for entertainment clients that include Lucasfilm, Fox, Nickelodeon Films, ABC, CBS, Paramount and Universal, and in the VFX and animation industry for companies such as Pixar, Digital Animations Group and Tippett Studio. As senior producer at Reardon Studios, she helped bring MOVA Contour Reality Capture to the film industry.
Cooke has also taught story structure at the SF Academy of Art, JFK University and Ex’pression College, and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. She served six years on the VES Bay Area board of managers executive committee and as chair, before joining the VES board of directors.
“It is my great honor and privilege to Chair this society of exceptional artists and innovators,” says Cooke. “I’m proud to be the first woman in this role, and I'm committed to lifting up our future leaders, so that I'm not the last. I look forward to working with the executive committee and board of directors to support our members during these challenging times and advance the work to propel the Society and the industry forward.”
In addition to Cooke, the 2021 officers of the VES board of directors are 1st vice chair Emma Clifton Perry, 2nd vice chair David H. Tanaka and treasurer Jeffrey A. Okun, VES. Gavin Graham will serve as secretary.