MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects (MTV Video Music Award)

MTV Video Music Award

The following is a list of MTV Video Music Awards winners for Best Visual Effects in a Video, a category that has been given out almost every year since the first ceremony in 1984. From 1984 to 2011, though, the award was named Best Special Effects in a Video, and it was not until 2012 that it acquired its current name. The award's biggest winner is singer Peter Gabriel, who has received this award three times. Meanwhile, with six nominations, rapper Missy Elliott is the most nominated artist in the award's history. Right behind her are the aforementioned Gabriel and U2, who received four nominations each. On the side of the professionals, meanwhile, only two have won this award multiple times: director Jim Blashfield and special effects artist Sean Broughton, each of whom won twice. In terms of nominations, on the other hand, there is also a tie for most nominated between special effects supervisors David Yardley and Fred Raimondi as well as the Brothers Strause-headed studio Pixel Envy, for all three are quadruple nominees.

Date Established : 1984

Check all the winners of MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects presented under MTV Video Music Award since 1984 .

Videos

MTV Video Music Awards 2014 - Full List Of Winers

MTV Video Music Awards 2014 - Full List of Nominees

News

Rihanna to Receive Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at 2016 MTV Video Music Awards (Fri, Aug 12 2016)
Beyonce Leads 2016 MTV VMA Nominations (Wed, Jul 27 2016)
Beyonce Took Four Awards In 2014 MTV Video Music Awards (Mon, Aug 25 2014)

OK Go

Honored for : The Writing\u2019s On The Wall

(Special Effects: 1stAveMachine)

Nominations 2014 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Disclosure	Grab Her! Special Effects: Mathematic and Emile Sornin
DJ Snake	Turn Down For What Special Effects: DANIELS and Zak Stoltz
Lil Jon	Turn Down For What Special Effects: DANIELS and Zak Stoltz
Eminem	Rap God Special Effects: Rich Lee, Louis Baker, Mammal Studios, Laundry! and Sunset Edit
Jack White	Lazaretto Special Effects: Mathematic and Jonas & François
OK Go	The Writing\u2019s On The Wall Special Effects: 1stAveMachine

Capital Cities, Grady Hall, Jonathan Wu, Derek Johnson

Honored for : Safe and Sound

(Visual Effects: Grady Hall, Jonathan Wu and Derek Johnson)

Nominations 2013 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Duck Sauce	It's You Visual Effects: Royal Post / Paris
Royal Post / Paris	It's You Visual Effects: Royal Post / Paris
Flying Lotus	Tiny Tortures Visual Effects: Dustin Bowser
Dustin Bowser	Tiny Tortures Visual Effects: Dustin Bowser
Skrillex	Breakn' a Sweat Visual Effects: RADICAL FRIEND
The Doors	Breakn' a Sweat Visual Effects: RADICAL FRIEND
Bonnie Brae	Breakn' a Sweat Visual Effects: RADICAL FRIEND
BEMO	Breakn' a Sweat Visual Effects: RADICAL FRIEND
Jeff Dotson	Breakn' a Sweat Visual Effects: RADICAL FRIEND
Erik Lee	Breakn' a Sweat Visual Effects: RADICAL FRIEND
The Weeknd	Wicked Games Visual Effects: Drop and Abel
Drop and Abel	Wicked Games Visual Effects: Drop and Abel
Capital Cities	Safe and Sound Visual Effects: Grady Hall, Jonathan Wu and Derek Johnson
Grady Hall	Safe and Sound Visual Effects: Grady Hall, Jonathan Wu and Derek Johnson
Jonathan Wu	Safe and Sound Visual Effects: Grady Hall, Jonathan Wu and Derek Johnson
Derek Johnson	Safe and Sound Visual Effects: Grady Hall, Jonathan Wu and Derek Johnson

Skrillex

Honored for : First of the Year (Equinox)

(Visual Effects: Deka Brothers and Tony Truand Datis)

Nominations 2012 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Skrillex	First of the Year (Equinox) Visual Effects: Deka Brothers and Tony \"Truand\" Datis
David Guetta	Turn Me On Visual Effects: Alex Frisch, Joe Harkins, Scott Metzger and Vico Sharabani
Nicki Minaj	Turn Me On Visual Effects: Alex Frisch, Joe Harkins, Scott Metzger and Vico Sharabani
Linkin Park	Burn It Down Visual Effects: Ghost Town Media
Katy Perry	Wide Awake Visual Effects: Ingenuity Engine
Rihanna	Where Have You Been Visual Effects: BAKED FX

Katy Perry, Kanye West

Honored for : E.T.

(Special Effects: Jeff Dotson for Dot & Effects)

Nominations 2011 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Katy Perry	E.T. Special Effects: Jeff Dotson for Dot & Effects
Kanye West	E.T. Special Effects: Jeff Dotson for Dot & Effects
Chromeo	Don't Turn The Lights On Special Effects: The Mill
Kanye West	Power Special Effects: Nice Shoes and ArtJail
Dwele	Power Special Effects: Nice Shoes and ArtJail
Linkin Park	Waiting For The End Special Effects: Ghost Town Media
Manchester Orchestra	Simple Math Special Effects: DANIELS

Muse

Honored for : Uprising

(Special Effects: Humble and Sam Stephens)

Nominations 2010 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Muse	Uprising Special Effects: Humble and Sam Stephens
Dan Black	Symphonies Special Effects: Corinne Bance and Axel D\u2019Harcourt
Eminem	Not Afraid Special Effects: Animaholics-VFX
Green Day	21st Century Breakdown Special Effects: Laundry
Lady Gaga	Bad Romance Special Effects: Skulley Effects VFX

Lady Gaga

Honored for : Paparazzi

(Special Effects: Chimney Pot)

Nominations 2009 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Eminem	We Made You Special Effects: Ingenuity Engine
Lady Gaga	Paparazzi Special Effects: Chimney Pot
Kanye West	Paranoid Special Effects: Wizardflex and Ghost Town Media
Mr Hudson	Paranoid Special Effects: Wizardflex and Ghost Town Media
Beyoncé Knowles	Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) Special Effects: VFX Effects and Louis Mackall V
Gnarls Barkley	Who's Gonna Save My Soul Special Effects: Gradient Effects and Image Metrics

Kanye West, T-Pain

Honored for : Good Life

(Special Effects: SoMe, Jonas & François)

Nominations 2008 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Missy Elliott	Ching-A-Ling/Shake Your Pom Pom 3D Special Effects: Les Umberger
Linkin Park	Bleed It Out Special Effects: David Lebensfeld and Adam Catino
Coldplay	Violet Hill Special Effects: Asa Mader
Erykah Badu	Honey Special Effects: X1 FX
Kanye West	Good Life Special Effects: SoMe, Jonas & François
T-Pain	Good Life Special Effects: SoMe, Jonas & François

Missy Elliott

Honored for : We Run This

(Special Effects: Louis Mackall and Tonia Wallander)

Nominations 2006 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Missy Elliott	We Run This Special Effects: Louis Mackall and Tonia Wallander
Beck Hansen	Hell Yes Special Effects: Hammer & Tongs
U2	Original of the Species Special Effects: John Leamy and Lawrence Nimrichter
Pearl Jam	Life Wasted Special Effects: Fernando Apodaca
Angels & Airwaves	The Adventure Special Effects: Jack Effects

Gorillaz

Honored for : Feel Good Inc.

(Special Effects: Passion Pictures)

Nominations 2005 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
The Mars Volta	The Widow Special Effects: Artificial Army
Missy Elliott	Lose Control Special Effects: Radium
Ciara	Lose Control Special Effects: Radium
Fatman Scoop	Lose Control Special Effects: Radium
Gorillaz	Feel Good Inc. Special Effects: Passion Pictures
Ludacris	Number One Spot Special Effects: 20Twenty
U2	Vertigo Special Effects: Jam Abelenet
Coldplay	Speed of Sound Special Effects: A52

Outkast

Honored for : Hey Ya!

(Special Effects: Elad Offer, Chris Eckardt and Money Shots)

Nominations 2004 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
The White Stripes	The Hardest Button to Button Special Effects: Richard de Carteret, Angus Kneale and Dirk Greene
Outkast	Hey Ya! Special Effects: Elad Offer, Chris Eckardt and Money Shots
Incubus	Megalomaniac Special Effects: Jake Banks, Matt Marquis and Stardust Studios
Modest Mouse	Float On Special Effects: Christopher Mills and Revolver Film Company
Steriogram	Walkie Talkie Man Special Effects: Angus Kneale, Jamie Scott and The Mill

Queens of the Stone Age

Honored for : Go with the Flow

(Special Effects: Nigel Sarrag)

Nominations 2003 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Radiohead	There There Special Effects: John Williams and Dave Lea
The White Stripes	Seven Nation Army Special Effects: BUF
Missy Elliott	Work It Special Effects: Realm Productions
Floetry	Floetic Special Effects: Base 2 Studios
Queens of the Stone Age	Go with the Flow Special Effects: Nigel Sarrag

The White Stripes

Honored for : Fell in Love with a Girl

(Special Effects: Twisted Labs and Sebastian Fau)

Nominations 2002 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Will Smith	Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head) Special Effects: Pixel Envy
Missy Elliott	One Minute Man Special Effects: Nathan McGuinness and Marc Varisco
Ludacris	One Minute Man Special Effects: Nathan McGuinness and Marc Varisco
Trina	One Minute Man Special Effects: Nathan McGuinness and Marc Varisco
P.O.D.	Alive Special Effects: Pixel Envy
The White Stripes	Fell in Love with a Girl Special Effects: Twisted Labs and Sebastian Fau

Robbie Williams

Honored for : Rock DJ

(Special Effects: Carter White FX, Audio Motion and Clear Post Production)

Nominations 2001 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Robbie Williams	Rock DJ Special Effects: Carter White FX, Audio Motion and Clear Post Production
Fatboy Slim	Weapon of Choice Special Effects: Ben Gibbs
U2	Elevation (Tomb Raider Remix) Special Effects: Pixel Envy and Chris Watts
Missy Elliott	Get Ur Freak On Special Effects: Glenn Bennett

Björk

Honored for : All Is Full Of Love

(Special Effects: Glassworks)

Nominations 2000 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Björk	All Is Full Of Love Special Effects: Glassworks
Lauryn Hill	Everything Is Everything Special Effects: Method Studios
Red Hot Chili Peppers	Californication Special Effects: Pixel Envy
Metallica	I Disappear Special Effects: Asylum Visual Effects
Supergrass	Pumping On Your Stereo Special Effects: Jim Henson's Creature Shop

Garbage

Honored for : Special

(Special Effects: Sean Broughton, Stuart D. Gordon and Paul Simpson of Digital Domain)

Nominations 1999 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Garbage	Special Special Effects: Sean Broughton, Stuart D. Gordon and Paul Simpson of Digital Domain
The Black Eyed Peas	Joints & Jams Special Effects: Brian Beletic and Todd Somodivilla
Korn	Freak On A Leash Special Effects: Matt Beck, Edson Williams, and the Brothers Strause
Janet Jackson	What's It Gonna Be?! Special Effects: Fred Raimondi
Busta Rhymes	What's It Gonna Be?! Special Effects: Fred Raimondi
Madonna	Nothing Really Matters Special Effects: Johan Renck, Bjorn Benckert and Tor-Bjorn Olsson
Will Smith	Miami Special Effects: Eric Swenson, Andrea Mansour and Simon Mowbray

Madonna

Honored for : Frozen

(Special Effects: Steve Murgatroyd, Dan Williams, Steve Hiam, and Anthony Walsham)

Nominations 1998 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Foo Fighters	Everlong Special Effects: Paul Sokol and Chris W.
Aerosmith	Pink Special Effects: Kevin Yagher
Madonna	Frozen Special Effects: Steve Murgatroyd, Dan Williams, Steve Hiam, and Anthony Walsham
Garbage	Push It Special Effects: Sebasten Caudron
Aphex Twin	Come To Daddy Special Effects: Chris Cunningham

Jamiroquai

Honored for : Virtual Insanity

(Special Effects: Jonathan Glazer and Sean Broughton)

Nominations 1997 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
The Smashing Pumpkins	The End Is The Beginning Is The End Special Effects: Chris Staves, Nigel Randall, Edson Williams and the Brothers Strause
Jamiroquai	Virtual Insanity Special Effects: Jonathan Glazer and Sean Broughton
Marilyn Manson	The Beautiful People Special Effects: D.A.V.E. and Panic & Bob
Will Smith	Men In Black Special Effects: Paul Griffin, Alan Rosenfield and Wade Howie
Eels	Novocaine for the Soul Special Effects: Ashley Clemens

The Smashing Pumpkins

Honored for : Tonight, Tonight

(Special Effects:Chris Staves)

Nominations 1996 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony	Tha Crossroads Special Effects: Cameron Noble
The Beatles	Free As A Bird Special Effects: Johnny Senered, Kristen Johnson and Ben Gibbs
Green Day	Walking Contradiction Special Effects: Jefferson Wagner and Brian Boles
The Smashing Pumpkins	Tonight, Tonight Special Effects: Chris Staves

The Rolling Stones

Honored for : Love Is Strong

(Special Effects: Fred Raimondi)

Nominations 1995 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Björk	Army of Me Special Effects: BUF
The Rolling Stones	Love Is Strong Special Effects: Fred Raimondi
TLC	Waterfalls Special Effects: Peter Conn and Chris Mitchell
Madonna	Human Nature
Janet Jackson	Scream Special Effects: Kevin Tod Haug, Alexander Frisch, Ashley Clemens, Richard 'Dr.' Baily, Jay Johnson and P. Scott Makela
Michael Jackson	Scream Special Effects: Kevin Tod Haug, Alexander Frisch, Ashley Clemens, Richard 'Dr.' Baily, Jay Johnson and P. Scott Makela

Peter Gabriel

Honored for : Kiss That Frog

(Special Effects: Brett Leonard and Angel Studios)

Nominations 1994 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Peter Gabriel	Kiss That Frog Special Effects: Brett Leonard and Angel Studios
Tool	Prison Sex Special Effects: Adam Jones
Björk	Human Behaviour Special Effects: Michel Gondry
Aerosmith	Amazing Special Effects: Cream Cheese Films and Video Image

Peter Gabriel

Honored for : Steam

(Special Effects: Real World Productions and Colossal Pictures)

Nominations 1993 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Billy Idol	Shock to the System Special Effects: Stan Winston
Aerosmith	Livin' on the Edge Special Effects: Cream Cheese Productions
Sananda Maitreya	She Kissed Me Special Effects: Michel Gondry
Peter Gabriel	Steam Special Effects: Real World Productions and Colossal Pictures

U2

Honored for : Even Better Than the Real Thing

(Special Effects: Simon Taylor)

Nominations 1992 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
David Byrne	She's Mad Special Effects: Carlos Arguello and Michele Ferrone
Michael Jackson	Black or White Special Effects: Jamie Dixon
U2	Even Better Than the Real Thing Special Effects: Simon Taylor
Def Leppard	Let's Get Rocked Special Effects: Ian Pearson

Faith No More

Honored for : Falling to Pieces

(Special Effects: David Faithfull and Ralph Ziman)

Nominations 1991 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
MC Hammer	Here Comes the Hammer Special Effects: Fred Raimondi and Maury Rosenfeld
The Replacements	When It Began Special Effects: Carl Bressler and Paul Rachman
Seal	Crazy Special Effects: Big TV!
Faith No More	Falling to Pieces Special Effects: David Faithfull and Ralph Ziman
Neneh Cherry	I've Got You Under My Skin Special Effects: Pitov
Bart Simpson	Do the Bartman Special Effects: Brad Bird

Tears for Fears

Honored for : Sowing the Seeds of Love

(Special Effects: Jim Blashfield)

Nominations 1990 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Billy Idol	Cradle of Love Special Effects: Peter Moyer
Paula Abdul	Opposites Attract Special Effects: Michael Patterson
Tears for Fears	Sowing the Seeds of Love Special Effects: Jim Blashfield
Billy Joel	We Didn't Start the Fire Special Effects: Chris Blum

Michael Jackson

Honored for : Leave Me Alone

(Special Effects: Jim Blashfield)

Nominations 1989 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Michael Jackson	Leave Me Alone Special Effects: Jim Blashfield
Adrian Belew	Oh Daddy Special Effects: Joey Ahlbum
Prince	I Wish U Heaven Special Effects: Maury Rosenfeld and Fred Raimondi
The Escape Club	Wild Wild West Special Effects: Nicholas Brandt and Bridget Blake-Wilson

Squeeze

Honored for : Hourglass

(Special Effects: Jim Francis and Dave Barton)

Nominations 1988 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
INXS	Need You Tonight/Mediate Special Effects: Lynn Maree Milburn
Grateful Dead	Touch Of Grey Special Effects: Gary Gutierrez
George Harrison	When We Was Fab Special Effects: Chris Lyons
Squeeze	Hourglass Special Effects: Jim Francis and Dave Barton
George Harrison	Got My Mind Set On You Special Effects: John McCallum

Peter Gabriel

Honored for : Sledgehammer

(Special Effects: Peter Lord)

Nominations 1987 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Peter Gabriel	Sledgehammer Special Effects: Peter Lord
Eurythmics	Missionary Man Special Effects: Willy Smax
Genesis	Land Of Confusion Special Effects: Jim Yukich and John Lloyd
Peter Gabriel	Big Time Special Effects: Peter Wallach
Paul Simon	The Boy in the Bubble Special Effects: Jim Blashfield

A-ha

Honored for : Take on Me

(Special Effects: Michael Patterson and Candace Reckinger)

Nominations 1986 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Dire Straits	Money For Nothing Special Effects: Ian Pearson
A-ha	Take on Me Special Effects: Michael Patterson and Candace Reckinger
X	Burning House of Love Special Effects: Daniel Kleinman
Pat Benatar	Sex as a Weapon Special Effects: Daniel Kleinman and Richard Uber
ZZ Top	Rough Boy Special Effects: Max Anderson and Chris Nibley

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Honored for : Don't Come Around Here No More

(Special Effects: Tony Mitchell, Kathy Dougherty and Peter Cohen)

Nominations 1985 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Bryan Adams	Run to You Special Effects: Cinebuild
Lindsey Buckingham	Go Insane Special Effects: David Yardley
Lindsey Buckingham	Slow Dancing Special Effects: David Yardley
Culture Club	It's a Miracle Special Effects: David Yardley
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers	Don't Come Around Here No More Special Effects: Tony Mitchell, Kathy Dougherty and Peter Cohen

Herbie Hancock

Honored for : Rockit

(Special Effects: Godley & Creme)

Nominations 1984 »

Nominee	Nominated Work
Herbie Hancock	Rockit Special Effects: Godley & Creme
Talking Heads	Burning Down the House Special Effects: David Byrne and Julia Hayward
The Cars	You Might Think Special Effects: Charlex
Billy Idol	Dancing with Myself Special Effects: Eric Critchley
Thomas Dolby	Hyperactive! Special Effects: David Yardley

MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects