Chris Corbauld Honorary Doctorate of Technology
6 November 2009
As far as cool careers go, Chris Corbauld has the edge. As Britain’s leading special effects exponent he’s put the thrills into more than 40 films – and was the brains and braun behind the slickest, darkest Batmobile.
His stunning visual effects in The Dark Knight (Batman), earned Chris an Oscar nomination, adding to six BAFTA nominations, two international Press Academy Golden Satellite Awards and three Visual Effects Society Awards for the technical and creative skills that have been pivotal in turning good films into blockbusters.
He has put the action into 11 James Bond films since the early 1980s and has worked extensively on both the Superman and Batman films series on digital effects and stunts.
Away from the excitement of the television studios Chris was happy to grace Southampton’s Guildhall where Southampton Solent University awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Technology.
Chris – who said he was thrilled with the award from Solent – proved a real inspiration for Technology graduates. He has led the special effects teams on Shadowlands, Goldeneye, The Ghost and the Darkness, Tomorrow Never Dies, Firestorm, The Mummy and The World is Not Enough, 102 Dalmations, Tomb Raider One and Two, Die Another Day, Batman Begins and Casino Royale.
But, arguably, it is his creation of the famous Batmobile tumbler– which made its first appearance to a gasping audience in Batman Begins - that earned him most accolades.
The tumbler was created as a real working model, complete with an engine and steering, capable of allowing it to shoot off with its stunt driver straight after some impressive jumps. The creation of the tumbler – complete with moveable flaps and guns - depended on Chris and his team using all their technological and creative skills.
Chris explained that the mixture of computer graphic imaging and technical modelling were making films more visually stunning than ever.
“I was very proud of the team’s work in Batman Begins. We all worked together carefully to get the best result,” said Chris who, after years in the business, remains passionate about special effects.
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