Talented graduate clinches Oscar

Peter Bebb was part of a team that won a coveted Academy Award for the Hollywood blockbuster’s pioneering visual effects.

Peter, originally from Loggerheads in Staffordshire, graduated with a BA (Hons) Wood, Metals and Plastics (3D Design) from the University of Wolverhampton in 1996.

The 35-year-old, who now lives in London, travelled to the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles to attend the ceremony yesterday (Sunday, 27 February 2011).

Dr Bryony Conway, Dean of the School of Art & Design at the University, said: "Everyone at the School of Art & Design is absolutely delighted with Peter's success at the Oscars. He has described his degree from the University as the 'catalyst' that started his career, and we are really proud of his achievements. He is a real inspiration to all our students hoping to follow in his footsteps."

Prior to the ceremony, Peter said it was a “real honour” to be nominated and was a testament to the hard work and effort the team put in to the film.

He also said his time at the University of Wolverhampton had a real impact on his career: “The degree from the University of Wolverhampton introduced me in to the world of CGI and the endless possibilities it can achieve - it was the catalyst that started it all.”

After graduating, Peter landed a job as a runner at the Double Negative studios. Since then, he has worked on a variety of blockbuster films which are notable for their visual effects, including Batman Begins, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and the latest James Bond films.

Released in 2010, Inception stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a specialised spy who secretly steals valuable commercial information from his targets while they are dreaming.

Peter’s team worked on some of the film’s most memorable and iconic scenes, including inner-city Paris folding in on itself and fight scenes that defied reality.

Inception was nominated for eight Oscars, and won accolades for Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing.

The film also scooped three BAFTAs at the ceremony earlier this month in London, including one in the Visual Effects category.

ENDS

Picture: Peter Bebb

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