New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson was honored with the Honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. During a masterclass, the filmmaker reviewed his career and future projects, showing surprise at the award. He recalled milestones such as the The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which accumulated 17 Academy Awards, and reflected on his evolution in the film industry.
Weta technology and the digital leap in the trilogy 🎥
Jackson detailed how his studio Weta Digital developed key tools for The Lord of the Rings. The use of motion capture for Gollum and the creation of computer-generated environments marked a before and after in fantasy cinema. The director explained that these advances allowed complex scenes to be shot without relying on physical sets, optimizing time and costs. The integration of practical effects with CGI defined his working method, influencing later productions such as King Kong.
From Middle-earth to his home kitchen 🍵
Jackson joked about how he went from directing armies of orcs to dealing with quieter projects. He stated that the stress of shooting three films in a row left him with a few extra gray hairs, but at least he no longer has to explain to actors why they must wear pointy ears. He confessed that his next big challenge is deciding whether he prefers tea or coffee while editing, which generated laughter among the attendees.