The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced the ten winners of this year’s Scientific and Technical Academy Awards. Visual effects software developers working in the field of fluid dynamics will be among those honored during a special black-tie dinner at The Beverly Wilshire hotel on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 9.
Technical Achievement Awards (Academy certificates) will go to Victor Gonzalez, Ignacio Vargas and Angel Tena for the creation of the RealFlow software application, the first widely adopted, commercially available, easy-to-use solution for the simulation of realistic liquids in visual effects. Jonathan Cohen, Dr. Jerry Tessendorf, Dr. Jeroen Molemaker and Michael Kowalski are up for the development of the system of fluid dynamics tools used at Rhythm & Hues, as well as Duncan Brinsmead, Jos Stam, Julia Pakalns and Martin Werner for the design and implementation of the Maya Fluid Effects system. Stephan Trojansky, Thomas Ganshorn and Oliver Pilarski will also take home certificates for the development of the Flowline fluid effects system.
Dr. Doug Roble, Nafees Bin Zafar and Ryo Sakaguchi will receive the Scientific and Engineering Award for the development of the fluid simulation system employed at Digital Domain. Additional Academy plaques will go to Nick Rasmussen, Ron Fedkiw and Frank Losasso Petterson for the development of the Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) fluid simulation system.
The John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation will be presented to David S. Inglish for his outstanding service and dedication in upholding the high standards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Meanwhile, the Gordon E. Sawyer Award (Oscar statuette) will go to David A. Grafton, whose technological contributions are being recognized for bringing credit to the industry.
Unlike other Academy Awards, achievements receiving Scientific and Technical Awards need not have been developed and introduced during 2007. The advancements must only demonstrate a proven record of contributing significant value to the process of making motion pictures. Portions of the Scientific and Technical Awards presentation will be included in the Oscar ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 24.
