Teesside University graduate Oscar nomination for Lost Bus

Russell Bowen, a visual effects supervisor who studied creative digital media at Teesside University, has been nominated for Best Visual Effects for his work on The Lost Bus.

It is a survival drama based on a true rescue mission during the devastating 2018 Californian wildfires.

Mr Bowen said: “To be Oscar-nominated alone, regardless of a win, is quite incredible.

“The four of us named as nominees for The Lost Bus represent hundreds of artists who poured their hearts and souls into the creation of the visual effects.”

The film tells the story of a heroic bus driver who saved 22 children from the blaze and includes 1,400 visual effects, with some proving so real that one viewer was reported as saying they could “almost smell the smoke.”

Mr Bowen is part of a four-strong team nominated for the award.

He said: “After joining, I realised it was also the staff that made the place pretty special.

“When guest speakers used to come up to do talks for students about their work in film, from DNEG, MPC, and Framestore, I knew I’d found my career and Teesside was going to help me get there.”

Originally from Pembrokeshire, he graduated from Teesside University in 2009.

Mr Bowen spent 14 years at leading visual effects company DNEG, working his way up from runner to visual effects supervisor.

During his time there he contributed to major films such as Venom, The Fate of the Furious, and Star Trek Beyond.

He now works for beloFX, where his credits include Star Wars: The Acolyte.

Typically based in Vancouver, Mr Bowen is currently working in Dublin on the forthcoming supernatural horror film The Mummy with Blumhouse and Warner Brothers, scheduled for release in April.

The Oscar ceremony will take place in Hollywood on March 15, where he will attend alongside team members Charlie Noble, David Zaretti, and Brandon McLaughlin.

He said: “For me, those are the artists at beloFX, our VFX house based in Vancouver, Montreal, and London.

“I’m proud to represent them at the most prestigious film awards night on the calendar.”

The Lost Bus is directed by Paul Greengrass and is currently streaming on Apple TV following a limited theatrical release.

The film was chosen for the shortlist from a submission of 371.

Other nominees in the visual effects category include Avatar: Fire and Ash, Jurassic World Rebirth, and the vampire horror film Sinners.

Mr Bowen said: “Amazingly, we’re up against some of the very people who inspired me to go into the industry.

“When I heard we’d been nominated, I went through the motions of shock which turned into overwhelming joy.

“I’m just very thankful.”