Der MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects gehört zu den technischen Kategorien. Es ist einer der wenigen Awards, die seit 1984 kontinuierlich vergeben wurden. Von 1984 bis 2006 hieß er Best Special Effects in a Video und von 2007 bis 2011 Best Special Effects. 2012 erhielt er seinen heutigen Namen.
Wie bei allen technischen Kategorien wird auch in diesem Fall sowohl der Künstler, der Manager des Künstlers als auch der eigentliche Ausführende, in diesem Fall der Regisseur des Videos, ausgezeichnet.
Den Rekord halten Regisseur Jim Blashfield, Special-Effects-Techniker Sean Broughton und die Produktionsgesellschaft GloriaFX, die den Award je zweimal erhielten. GloriaFX wurde außerdem sechs Mal nominiert.
An Künstlern gewann Peter Gabriel den Award dreimal. Dagegen war Missy Elliott sechs Mal nominiert.
Übersicht AwardJahrPreisträgerfür das VideoNominierungen1.1984Godley & CremeHerbie Hancock – Rockit The Cars – You Might Think (Spezialeffekte: Charlex) Thomas Dolby – Hyperactive (Spezialeffekte: Dave Yardley) Billy Idol – Dancing with Myself (Spezialeffekte: Eric Critchley) Talking Heads – Burning Down the House (Spezialeffekte: David Byrne und Julia Hayward)2.1985Tony Mitchell, Kathy Dougherty und Peter CohenTom Petty & the Heartbreakers – Don’t Come Around Here No More 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)3.1986 Michael Patterson und Candace Reckingera-ha – Take On Me Pat Benatar – Sex as a Weapon (Special Effects: Daniel Kleinman und Richard Uber) Dire Straits – Money for Nothing (Special Effects: Ian Pearson) X – Burning House of Love (Special Effects: Daniel Kleinman) ZZ Top – Rough Boy (Special Effects: Max Anderson und Chris Nibley)4.1987Peter LordPeter Gabriel – Sledgehammer Eurythmics – Missionary Man (Special Effects: Willy Smax) Peter Gabriel – Big Time (Special Effects: Peter Wallach) Genesis – Land of Confusion (Special Effects: Jim Yukich und John Lloyd) Paul Simon – The Boy in the Bubble (Special Effects: Jim Blashfield)5.1988Jim Francis und Dave BartonSqueeze – Hourglass Grateful Dead – Touch of Grey (Special Effects: Gary Gutierrez) George Harrison – Got My Mind Set on You (Special Effects: John McCallum) George Harrison – When We Was Fab (Special Effects: Chris Lyons) INXS – Need You Tonight/Mediate (Special Effects: Lynn Maree Milburn)6.1989Jim BlashfieldMichael Jackson – Leave Me Alone Adrian Belew – Oh Daddy (Special Effects: Joey Ahlbum) The Escape Club – Wild, Wild West (Special Effects: Nicholas Brandt und Bridget Blake-Wilson) Prince – I Wish U Heaven (Special Effects: Maury Rosenfeld und Fred Raimondi)7.1990Jim BlashfieldTears for Fears – Sowing the Seeds of Love Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract (Special Effects: Michael Patterson) Billy Idol – Cradle of Love (Special Effects: Peter Moyer) Billy Joel – We Didn't Start the Fire (Special Effects: Chris Blum)8.1991David Faithfull und Ralph ZimanFaith No More – Falling to Pieces Neneh Cherry – I've Got You Under My Skin (Special Effects: Pitov) MC Hammer – Here Comes the Hammer (Special Effects: Fred Raimondi und Maury Rosenfeld) The Replacements – When It Began (Special Effects: Carl Bressler und Paul Rachman) Seal – Crazy (Special Effects: Big TV!) Bart Simpson – Do the Bartman (Special Effects: Brad Bird)9.1992Simon TaylorU2 – Even Better Than the Real Thing David Byrne – She's Mad (Special Effects: Carlos Arguello und Michele Ferrone) Def Leppard – Let's Get Rocked (Special Effects: Ian Pearson) Michael Jackson – Black or White (Short Version) (Special Effects: Jamie Dixon)10.1993 Real World Productions und (Colossal) PicturesPeter Gabriel – Steam Aerosmith – Livin' on the Edge (Special Effects: Cream Cheese Productions) Terence Trent D'Arby – She Kissed Me (Special Effects: Michel Gondry) Billy Idol – Shock to the System (Special Effects: Stan Winston)11.1994Brett Leonard und Angel StudiosPeter Gabriel – Kiss That Frog Aerosmith – Amazing (Special Effects: Cream Cheese Films und Video Image) Björk – Human Behaviour (Special Effects: Michel Gondry) Tool – Prison Sex (Special Effects: Adam Jones)12.1995Fred RaimondiThe Rolling Stones – Love Is Strong Björk – Army of Me (Special Effects: BUF) Michael Jackson und Janet Jackson – Scream (Special Effects: Kevin Tod Haug, Alexander Frisch, Ashley Clemens, Richard 'Dr.' Baily, Jay Johnson und P. Scott Makela) TLC – Waterfalls (Special Effects: Peter Conn und Chris Mitchell)13.1996Chris StavesThe Smashing Pumpkins – Tonight, Tonight The Beatles – Free as a Bird (Special Effects: Johnny Senered, Kristen Johnson und Ben Gibbs) Bone Thugs-n-Harmony – Tha Crossroads (Special Effects: Cameron Noble) Green Day – Walking Contradiction (Special Effects: Jefferson Wagner und Brian Boles)14.1997Jonathan Glazer und Sean BroughtonJamiroquai – Virtual Insanity Eels – Novocaine for the Soul (Special Effects: Ashley Clemens) Marilyn Manson – The Beautiful People (Special Effects: D.A.V.E. und Panic & Bob) The Smashing Pumpkins – The End Is the Beginning Is the End (Special Effects: Chris Staves, Nigel Randall, Edson Williams und The Brothers Strause) Will Smith – Men in Black (Special Effects: Paul Griffin, Alan Rosenfield und Wade Howie)15.1998 Steve Murgatroyd, Dan Williams, Steve Hiam und Anthony WalshamMadonna – Frozen Aerosmith – Pink (Special Effects: Kevin Yagher) Aphex Twin – Come to Daddy (Special Effects: Chris Cunningham, Glassworks, Red, & Creature FX) Foo Fighters – Everlong (Special Effects: Paul Sokol & Chris W.) Garbage – Push It (Special Effects: Sebastien Caudron)16.1999Sean Broughton, Stuart D. Gordon & Paul Simpson of Digital DomainGarbage – Special The Black Eyed Peas – Joints & Jam (Special Effects: Brian Beletic & Todd Somodivilla) Busta Rhymes (feat. Janet Jackson) – What's It Gonna Be?! (Special Effects: Fred Raimondi) Korn – Freak on a Leash (Special Effects: Matt Beck, Edson Williams, & the Brothers Strause) Madonna – Nothing Really Matters (Special Effects: Johan Renck, Bjorn Benckert & Tor-Bjorn Olsson) Will Smith – Miami (Special Effects: Eric Swenson, Andrea Mansour & Simon Mowbray)17.2000GlassworksBjörk – All Is Full of Love Lauryn Hill – Everything Is Everything (Special Effects: Method Studios) Metallica – I Disappear (Special Effects: Asylum Visual Effects) Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication (Special Effects: Pixel Envy) Supergrass – Pumping on Your Stereo (Special Effects: Jim Henson's Creature Shop)18.2001Carter White FX, Audio Motion und Clear Post ProductionRobbie Williams – Rock DJ Missy Elliott – Get Ur Freak On (Special Effects: Glenn Bennett) Fatboy Slim – Weapon of Choice (Special Effects: Ben Gibbs) U2 – Elevation (Tomb Raider Mix) (Special Effects: Pixel Envy und Chris Watts)19.2002Twisted Labs und Sébastien FauThe White Stripes – Fell in Love with a Girl Missy Misdemeanor Elliott (feat. Ludacris und Trina) – One Minute Man (Special Effects: Nathan McGuinness und Marc Varisco) P.O.D. – Alive (Special Effects: Pixel Envy) Will Smith – Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head) (Special Effects: Pixel Envy)20.2003Nigel SarragQueens of the Stone Age – Go with the Flow Missy Elliott – Work It (Special Effects: Realm Productions) Floetry – Floetic (Special Effects: Base 2 Studios) Radiohead – There There (Special Effects: John Williams und Dave Lea) The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army (Special Effects: BUF)21.2004Elad Offer, Chris Eckardt und Money ShotsOutKast – Hey Ya! Incubus – Megalomaniac (Special Effects: Jake Banks, Matt Marquis und Stardust Studios) Modest Mouse – Float On (Special Effects: Christopher Mills und Revolver Film Company) Steriogram – Walkie Talkie Man (Special Effects: Angus Kneale, Jamie Scott und The Mill) The White Stripes – The Hardest Button to Button (Special Effects: Richard de Carteret, Angus Kneale und Dirk Greene)22.2005Passion PicturesGorillaz – Feel Good Inc. Coldplay – Speed of Sound (Special Effects: A52) Missy Elliott (feat. Ciara & Fatman Scoop) – Lose Control (Special Effects: Radium) Ludacris – Number One Spot (Special Effects: 20Twenty) The Mars Volta – The Widow (Special Effects: Artificial Army) U2 – Vertigo (Special Effects: Jam Abelenet)23.2006Louis Mackall und Tonia WallanderMissy Elliott – We Run This Angels & Airwaves – The Adventure (Special Effects: Jack Effects) Beck – Hell Yes (Special Effects: Hammer & Tongs) Pearl Jam – Life Wasted (Special Effects: Fernando Apodaca) U2 – Original of the Species (Special Effects: John Leamy und Lawrence Nimrichter)–2007nicht vergeben24.2008SoMe, Jonas & FrançoisKanye West (feat. T-Pain) – Good Life Erykah Badu – Honey (Special Effects: X1 FX) Coldplay – Violet Hill (Special Effects: Asa Mader) Missy Elliott – Ching-a-Ling / Shake Your Pom Pom (Special Effects: Les Umberger) Linkin Park – Bleed It Out (Special Effects: David Lebensfeld und Adam Catino)25.2009Chimney PotLady Gaga – Paparazzi Beyoncé – Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) (Special Effects: VFX Effects und Louis Mackall V) Eminem – We Made You (Special Effects: Ingenuity Engine) Gnarls Barkley – Who’s Gonna Save My Soul (Special Effects: Gradient Effects und Image Metrics) Kanye West – Love Lockdown (Special Effects: Wizardflex und Ghost Town Media)26.2010Humble TV & Sam StephensMuse – Uprising Dan Black – Symphonies (Special Effects: Corinne Bance und Axel D’Harcourt) Eminem – Not Afraid (Special Effects: Animaholics-VFX) Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown (Special Effects: Laundry) Lady Gaga – Bad Romance (Special Effects: Skulley Effects VFX)27.2011Jeff Dotson for Dot & EffectsKaty Perry (featuring Kanye West) – E.T. Chromeo – Don’t Turn the Lights On (Special Effects: The Mill) Linkin Park – Waiting for the End (Special Effects: Ghost Town Media) Manchester Orchestra – Simple Math (Special Effects: Daniels) Kanye West (featuring Dwele) – Power (Special Effects: Nice Shoes und ArtJail)28.2012Deka Brothers und Tony T. DatisSkrillex – First of the Year (Equinox) David Guetta (featuring Nicki Minaj) – Turn Me On (Visuelle Effekte: Copa Network) Linkin Park – Burn It Down (Visuelle Effekte: Ghost Town Media) Katy Perry – Wide Awake (Visuelle Effekte: Ingenuity Engine) Rihanna – Where Have You Been (Visuelle Effekte: George Lucas)29.2013 Grady Hall, Jonathan Wu und Derek JohnsonCapital Cities – Safe und Sound Duck Sauce – It’s You (Visuelle Effekte: Royal Post / Paris) Flying Lotus – Tiny Tortures (Visuelle Effekte: Dustin Bowser) Skrillex (featuring The Doors) – Breakn’ a Sweat (Visuelle Effekte: Bonnie Brae, BEMO, Jeff Dotson und Erik Lee) The Weeknd – Wicked Games (Visuelle Effekte: Drop und Abel)30.20141stAveMachineOK Go – The Writing’s on the Wall Disclosure – Grab Her! (Spezialeffekte: Mathematic und Emile Sornin) DJ Snake und Lil Jon – Turn Down for What (Spezialeffekte: DANIELS und Zak Stoltz) Eminem – Rap God (Spezialeffekte: Rich Lee, Louis Baker, Mammal Studios, Laundry! und Sunset Edit) Jack White – Lazaretto (Spezialeffekte: Mathematic und Jonas & François)31.2015BrewerSkrillex und Diplo (featuring Justin Bieber) – Where Are Ü Now Childish Gambino – Telegraph Ave. (Spezialeffekte: Gloria FX) FKA Twigs – Two Weeks (Spezialeffekte: Gloria FX, Tomash Kuzmytskyi, und Max Chyzhevskyy) Taylor Swift (featuring Kendrick Lamar) – Bad Blood (Spezialeffekte: Ingenuity Studios) Tyler, The Creator – Fucking Young/Death Camp (Spezialeffekte: Gloria FX)32.2016Vania HeymannColdplay – Up&Up Adele – Send My Love (To Your New Lover) (Spezialeffekte: Sam Sneade) FKA Twigs – M3LL155X (Spezialeffekte: Lewis Sanders und Jihoon Yoo) The Weeknd – Can’t Feel My Face (Spezialeffekte: Bryan Smaller) Zayn – Pillowtalk (Spezialeffekte: David Smith)33.2017Jonah HallKendrick Lamar – Humble A Tribe Called Quest – Dis Generation (Spezialeffekte: Brandon Hirzel)