'The Hobbit,' 'The Avengers' nominated for visual effects awards The Visual Effects Society announced Monday morning its nominees for the 11th annual VES Awards, which honors visual effects artistry in 24 categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games. Nominees for outstanding visual effects in a visual effects-driven feature motion picture are "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," "Prometheus," "Life of Pi," "The Avengers" and "Battleship." Vying for outstanding supporting visual effects in a feature motion picture are "Rust and Bone," "The Impossible," "Argo," "Flight" and "Zero Dark Thirty" Outstanding animation in an animated feature motion picture are "Brave," "ParaNorman," "Rise of the Guardians," "Wreck-It Ralph" and "Hotel Transylvania." Nominees for outstanding animated character in a live-action feature motion picture are the Goblin King and Gollum in "The Hobbit," the Hulk in "The Avengers" and Richard Parker in "Life of Pi." Vying in the outstanding animated character in an animated feature motion picture are Argument in "Brave," Dracula in "Hotel Transylvania," Vanellope in "Wreck-It Ralph" and "The Pirates: Band of Misfits." Nominees in the outstanding created environment in a live action feature motion picture are the Goblin Caverns in "The Hobbit," LV-233 from "Prometheus," Midtown Manhattan in "The Avengers" and Open Ocean in "Life of Pi." Nominated for outstanding virtual cinematographer in a live action feature motion picture are "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"; Downtown Manhattan in "The Avengers"; the hover car chase in "Total Recall" and "The Amazing Spider-Man." Among the TV series earning nominations are "Game of Thrones," "Once Upon a Time," "Falling Skies," "Curiosity" and "Munsters: Mockingbird Lane." As previously announced, Ang Lee is this year's recipient of the VES Visionary Award and Richard Edlund will receive the lifetime achievement award. The 11th annual VES Award will take place Feb. 5 at the Beverly Hilton. The wizardy behind 'The Impossible's' tsunami Hollywood bets heavily on razzle-dazzle action and effects 'Hobbit': William Kircher speakers Dwarfish, talks Bifur's injury