Oscar-winning visual effects artist Rhys Salcombe has expressed his disappointment at being played off stage before he could deliver his full acceptance speech at the Academy Awards. Salcombe, originally from Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, was part of the team behind Dune: Part Two, which won the prestigious Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
The moment, which should have been one of the highlights of Salcombe’s career, was cut short when the Oscars ceremony organisers played music to signal the end of his time on stage. This is a common practice at the Oscars, where winners are typically given a 45-second window to speak after receiving their award. However, on this occasion, his colleagues spoke first, leaving Salcombe with little time to address the audience.
Speaking candidly after the ceremony, Salcombe admitted that he felt the snub was “a shame” but added that he understood the necessity of time constraints at such a grand event. Despite the disappointing moment, the Welsh-Canadian artist was able to celebrate the achievement with his colleagues in the moments that followed.
“For me, the biggest shame was not being able to say what I wanted to say on stage, but I do understand the logistics of the Oscars,” Salcombe explained. “You’re working within a tight timeline, and you’ve got to get through so many awards. But yes, it would have been nice to speak more. At the same time, I was up there with three incredible colleagues, and we were representing the team, not just ourselves.”
Salcombe’s journey into the world of film and visual effects began far from Hollywood, in the stunning Welsh landscape of Ceredigion. Reflecting on his roots, he spoke about how growing up in the countryside inspired his passion for film and the visual arts. “Being in the countryside, experiencing nature in that way, really instils a love of capturing the beauty through the camera,” he said. “It taught me how to see the world in a different way, how to focus on the small details and find the beauty in everything around you.”
His parents also played a crucial role in introducing him to film at a young age, sparking the interest that would ultimately lead to his career in visual effects. Salcombe’s path to success, however, wasn’t a straightforward one. “I honed my skills and worked on my craft, but in this industry, there’s also a huge element of luck. Sometimes you just need that break,” he reflected.
Though the Oscar win was a dream come true, Salcombe admitted that the whole experience was “a bit of a blur,” and he was still trying to process the magnitude of the achievement. “It hasn’t fully sunk in yet. It’s one of those things where you don’t realise how big it is until you sit down and think about it. I’m still absorbing it all.”
Salcombe’s win was particularly significant as it represented the hard work of not just him but the entire visual effects team behind Dune: Part Two. The film’s success was the result of the collective effort of nearly 2,000 people who worked tirelessly to bring the spectacular visuals to life. “It’s an incredible honour to represent the team on stage, alongside my colleagues. We weren’t up there just for ourselves, but for the whole team, the 2,000 people who worked on Dune: Part Two,” he said.
The Welsh artist made it clear that the award wasn’t just for him but for the entire team behind the film. “Recognition of their work in this way is pretty special,” Salcombe remarked. “This win is as much theirs as it is ours. We’re just the ones with the microphone in front of us.”
Following the Oscars ceremony, Salcombe attended a “blurry and intense” after-party, which he described as an overwhelming but joyous experience. Despite the whirlwind of events, the visual effects artist is already looking ahead to his next project and hopes to continue working on the Dune franchise.
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“I’m holding out hope for Dune 3,” Salcombe revealed. “It would be fantastic to get the team back together. We all work so well together, and we’ve built something special with these films.” While he’d love to see the third instalment of Dune filmed in his home country of Wales, he admitted that it may not be the most suitable location for the story. “I don’t know if the Dune universe would work in Aberystwyth. But then again, never say never,” he laughed.
For now, Rhys Salcombe remains focused on the next chapter of his career, thankful for the opportunities that have come his way and eager to continue pushing the boundaries of visual effects in cinema. As for the Oscar win, he is grateful but humbly acknowledges the work of his entire team.
“Being part of this industry is a privilege, and I’m proud to represent the hard work of everyone who contributed to Dune: Part Two,” he said. “This win is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see where the journey takes me next.”
