DI, Imocap technologies cited
An array of technologies used for digital intermediate and Industrial Light & Magic’s Imocap system are among the 15 achievements, represented by 46 individuals, that will receive Scientific & Technical Academy Awards this year.Sci-Tech achievements need not have been invented in 2009, but must have “a proven record of contributing significant value to the process of making motion pictures.” As is its custom, the Acad selected multiple honorees who contributed to an important technology. Nine of the 10 Scientific and Engineering Awards (Academy plaques) and one Technical Achievement Award (Academy certificate) go to innovations for digital intermediate. Receiving plaques are: n Richard Kirk for the overall design and development of the Truelight real-time 3D look-up table hardware device and color management software, for accurate color in DI previews. n Volker Massmann, Markus Hasenzahl, Klaus Anderle and Andreas Loew for the development of the Spirit 4K/2K film scanningsystem used for fast, high-resolution scanning of film for DI. n Michael Cieslinski, Reimar Lenz and Bernd Brauner for the development of the ARRISCAN film scanner, enabling high-resolution, high-dynamic range, pin-registered film scanning for use in DI. n Wolfgang Lempp, Theo Brown, Tony Sedivy and John Quartel for the development of the Northlight film scanner, which enables high-resolution, pin-registered scanning in DI. n Steve Chapman, Martin Tlaskal, Darrin Smart and James Logie for their contributions to the development of the Baselight color correction system, a widely accepted system that enables real-time digital manipulation of motion picture imagery during DI. n Mark Jaszberenyi, Gyula Priskin and Tamas Perlaki for their contributions to the development of the Lustre color correction system, which enables real-time digital manipulation of motion picture imagery during DI. n Brad Walker, D. Scott Dewald, Bill Werner and Greg Pettitt for their contributions furthering the design and refinement of the Texas Instruments DLP Projector, achieving a level of performance that enabled color-accurate DI previews.
- Fujifilm Corp., Ryoji Nishi-mura, Masaaki Miki and Youichi Hosoya for the design and development of Fujicolor Eterna-RDI digital intermediate film, which was designed exclusively to reproduce motion picture digital masters. Also getting Academy plaques are two accomplishments for digital visual effects:
- Per Christensen and Michael Bunnell for the development of point-based rendering for indirect illumination and ambient occlusion, a faster computer graphics technique for complex scenes.
- To Paul Debevec, Tim Hawkins, John Monos and Mark Sagar for the design and engineering of the Light Stage capture devices and the image-based facial rendering system developed for character relighting in motion pictures. The Acad will also present five Technical Achievement Awards, aka Academy certificates. DI is recognized here as well:
- Mark Wolforth and Tony Sedivy for their contributions to the development of the Truelight real-time 3D look-up table hardware system.
- Klaus Anderle, Christian Baeker and Frank Billasch for their contributions to the LUTher 3D look-up table hardware device and color management software.
- Steve Sullivan, Kevin Wooley, Brett Allen and Colin Davidson for the development of the Imocap on-set performance capture system, used in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequels, among other pics.
- Hayden Landis, Ken McGaugh and Hilmar Koch for advancing the technique of ambient occlusion rendering, which has become a standard tool for realistic CG lighting.
- Bjorn Heden for the design and mechanical engineering of the silent, two-stage planetary friction drive Heden Lens Motors, which had an immediate and significant impact on movie production.
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