The theme of the "New Hollywood" column is Technology Empowering Creativity (TEC). "New Hollywood" will explore the many ways in which technology is empowering the creative visions of storytellers. We have all heard about how technology is changing Hollywood and causing many problems, my focus will be on how technology is changing Hollywood for the better, how technology is empowering creativity. More specifically, I'll interview actors, writers, producers, directors and other creatives about the many ways in which technology empowers their artistic expression. I've no plans to ask technical questions since my goal is to focus on the empowerment of creativity, on how newer technologies and techniques are helping to create 21st century art.

The VES Awards recognizes and honors the most outstanding visual effects work of the year and honors the artists who created them. I was in attendance at last year's ceremony held in Beverly Hills, California, on February 1, 2011. Presented below is a list of the night's winners. I also had the opportunity to interview some of the honorees and attendees including: Gale Ann Hurd, producer, “The Walking Dead”; Patton Oswalt, VES Awards show host; Richard Kind, voice actor in “Toy Story 3”; and Bonnie Arnold, producer, “How to Train Your Dragon.”

Outstanding Effects Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture: “Toy Story 3” 

Jason Johnston, Eric Froemling, David Ryu and J.D. Northrup

Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Short: “Day & Night”

Teddy Newton, Kevin Reher, and Tom Gately

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Feature Motion Picture: “Iron Man 2”

Ben Snow

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Feature Motion Picture: “Inception”

Paul Franklin

Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature Motion Picture: “Megamind – Minion”

Rani Naamani and Dick Walsh

Outstanding Created Environment in a Live Action Broadcast Program: “The Pacific - The Battle of Iwo Jima”

Marco Recuay, Morgan McDermott, and Nick Lund-Ulrich

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Feature Motion Picture: “Alice In Wonderland”

David Schaub and Carey Villegas

Outstanding Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture: “How to Train Your Dragon”

Simon Otto, Craig Ring, and Bonnie Arnold

Outstanding Effects Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture: “How to Train Your Dragon”

Andy Hayes, Jason Mayer, and Brett Miller

Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature Motion Picture: “How to Train Your Dragon – Toothless”

Gabe Hordos, Cassidy Curtis, Mariette Marinus, and Brent Watkins

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture: “Black Swan”

Dan Schrecker, Colleen Bachman, Michael Capton, and Brad Kalinoski

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture: “SALT”

Robert Grasmere, Camille Cellucci and Mark Breakspear

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Student Project: “LOOM”

Jan Bitzer and Ilija Brunck