Eric Saindon.Photo: Richard Harbaugh/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty
OneAvatar: The Way of Watervisual-effects artist had quite theOscars 2023experience after he reportedly left the show to immediately undergo surgery after the moviewon Best Visual Effects.
A representative from Weta FX, the visual-effects production company that worked onAvatar: The Way of Water, told IndieWire on Monday that Saindon, 53,had experienced “intense pain"throughout the day Sunday and checked into a hospital in Beverly Hills, California, hours before the ceremony.
Saindon received painkillers from doctors and decided to attendthe Oscarsdespite the pain after he tested negative for appendicitis and kidney stones, but experienced more pain after the team wonAvatar’s lone accolade of the night at the 95th Academy Awards, according to IndieWire.
Weta FX did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment Tuesday.
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Avatar: The Way of Water(2022).20th Century Studios
Saindon left the awards show while he was backstage conducting press-room interviews and returned to the hospital, where doctors conducted an operation to repair a ruptured small intestine, the visual-effects company told IndieWire.
“He’sdoing okay and recovering as we speak. I’m just glad he left when he did,” a representative for Weta FX toldEntertainment Tonighton Monday night. “A rupture is serious stuff.”
Saindon’s mother, Lila Saindon, toldNBC News Center Maineon Monday that her son was transferred to an intensive-care unit following the surgery.
She added that he won’t be able to return to his New Zealand home for roughly one month.
The artist’s win forAvatar: The Way of Wateron Sunday made for his first career Oscar.
Saindon worked on directorJames Cameron’s original 2009 movieAvatarand was promoted to senior visual-effects supervisor during the production of the 2022 sequel, according to IndieWire.
The film’sBest Visual Effects honor was officially awardedto Saindon and fellow VFX team members Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham and Daniel Barrett.
Avatar: The Way of Waterwasnominated for four total awardsduring Sunday’s ceremony, but went home with a lone victory asEverything Everywhere All at OnceandAll Quiet on the Western Frontdominated the night with seven and four wins each, respectively.
source: people.com
