Emmy Nomination for ‘Dune: Prophecy’
Insights
Image Engine is thrilled to announce visual effects supervisor, Martyn Culpitt, has been nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Visual Effects in Dune: Prophecy.
Image Engine, a Vancouver-based visual effects studio renowned for its work on feature films and television, is thrilled to announce that Martyn Culpitt, visual effects supervisor, has been nominated for a 2025 Emmy Award in the category of ‘Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or a Movie’ for the exceptional visual effects work on Dune: Prophecy. This prestigious nomination is a testament to the studio’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of visual effects.
Martyn is recognized alongside an outstanding team of visual effects professionals, including Terron Pratt (Visual Effects Producer, HBO), Michael Enriquez (Visual Effects Supervisor, HBO), Brennan Prevatt (Additional Visual Effects Supervisor, HBO), Philip Engström (Visual Effects Supervisor, Important Looking Pirates), Peter Lames (Visual Effects Supervisor, Accenture Song VFX), Julien Hery (Visual Effects Supervisor, Rodeo FX), Vincent Poitras (Visual Effects Supervisor, Raynault VFX), and Jed Glassford (On-Set Visual Effects Supervisor).
Dune: Prophecy, a Legendary Television production for HBO Max, also received an additional three Emmy nominations: Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes, Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music, and Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More).
“This nomination may have my name on it, but it truly represents the work of everyone at Image Engine and in the visual effects department,” said Martyn Culpitt. “Working on Dune: Prophecy was one of the most creatively exciting projects I’ve ever been part of. We were inspired by the aesthetics of the first Dune film while adding our own touch to this new chapter, and it was an honour to contribute to such an iconic universe.”
Image Engine contributed to 208 visual effects shots for the series, spanning entire CG environments, complex FX simulations, and creature animation. Highlights include:
- Sandworm: Fully CG Arrakis environments where a sandworm engulfs the Sisterhood complex in dramatic, large-scale action.
- Genetic library: An Anirul world was created to represent family tree information from the Dune houses, where intricate data streams pulsed with light, forming holographic trees.
- Ice lake: A dynamic snowstorm reflecting a character’s emotional state, with detailed FX-driven snow and ice simulations.
- Holographic table: A complex, tactile centerpiece projecting the Arrakis desert with intricate, analog-inspired visuals.
- Mek robot battle: A towering mechanical robot engaged in a fully CG junkyard fight, animated for scale and impact.
- Mindkiller: A terrifying surgical machine removes an eye to implant a device, creating a shocking and intense sequence.
“We had a great collaboration with the visual effects supervisor, Michael Enriquez and showrunner Alison Schapker,” said Culpitt. “They gave us the creative freedom to explore new ideas while staying true to the Dune world. Every sequence was a unique challenge that pushed our artistry and technical abilities.”
Martyn Culpitt has been a visual effects supervisor at Image Engine since 2012, leading major projects such as Kraven the Hunter, Willow, Bloodshot, Birds of Prey, Logan, and the Fantastic Beasts franchise. His work has earned award nominations for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Jurassic World, and Alien: Ore.
Shawn Walsh, general manager at Image Engine and Cinesite Group Chief Operating Officer VFX said, “Bringing Dune: Prophecy to life on TV while honoring the legacy of the feature films was no small feat. Martyn’s creative leadership set the tone, and the team delivered cinematic-quality visual effects under tight timelines. This Emmy nomination is a huge recognition for the whole Image Engine team and reflects the creativity, dedication, and talent of every artist, technician, and supervisor who contributed to bringing this world to life.”
Viktoria Rucker, visual effects producer, added, “I am so proud of every one of our over 150 crew members involved for their hard work and dedication for this incredible achievement. Visual effects is a team effort, none of this happens in isolation, and the real magic happens when trust, shared goals, and collaboration come together. We’re especially grateful to our clients at HBO, Janet Muswell Hamilton, Terron Pratt, and Mike Enriquez, for trusting us and inviting us on this exciting journey.”
Image Engine relies on strong business partners to provide the expertise and tools necessary for award-winning work, and they found an ideal partner in Clutch Media. As a division of Clutch Solutions, Clutch Media focuses on integrating and reselling IT solutions and professional services specifically for the media and entertainment industry. Committed to advancing media productions and supporting content owners with cutting-edge security and technology solutions, Clutch Media was able to recommend technology that contributed to the Emmy nomination.
The Emmy winners will be announced at the 77th Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony on September 6, 2025 in Los Angeles. Image Engine extends its congratulations to all the nominees and looks forward to celebrating the industry’s achievements.
For more information, visit the Dune:Prophecy project page.
About Image Engine
Image Engine is a world-class visual effects studio for feature films and television located in Vancouver, BC. Since 1995, our studio has captivated audiences with stunning photoreal visual effects of fantastical creatures and epic environments. Well-known for our groundbreaking alien animations in Neill Blomkamp’s critically-acclaimed film District 9, we have gone on to produce more award-winning work in The Book of Boba Fett, The Mandalorian, Game Of Thrones, Lost in Space, Jurassic World, Elysium, and more.
