71st Academy Awards (1998) — Oscars database

The Avid Film Composer is a digital, non-linear, 24 frame-per-second editing machine usinig compression algorithms, that has revolutionized the art of film editing. Shots can be stored, recalled, manipulated and played back instantaneously, allowing the film editor unprecedented creative freedom and the ability to realize a film more fully than before.

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL AWARD (Scientific and Engineering Award)

Sound

The foundation of current digital audio editing equipment for motion pictures has its roots in the late seventies work of these digital pioneers.

James A. Moorer

Sound

This early work in systems architecture and software has had a significant impact on the digital creation of sound effects and the editing of audio for motion picture sound tracks.

STEPHEN J. KAY

Lighting

This specially designed ground fault interrupter eliminates the electric shock hazard when working in water, wet conditions or from an accidentally exposed power line.

Special Photographic

The Inferno System, and its predecessor, Flame, provide high-speed, efficient integrated digital compositing and visual effects tools.

Sound

The Soundmaster system provides motion picture audio post production facilities with a completely integrated capability for synchronization of audio and picture elements with the numerous methods of synchronization in use today.

Special Photographic

The Kodak Lightning laser recorder system established higher operational and quality standards and achieved wide industry acceptance for digital film recording onto intermediate film stock.

Laboratory

This innovative and effective high speed film cleaning machine is unique in its use of spray technology, providing the flexibility to use alternative solvents, and to anticipate changes in environmental legislation.

Arnold & Richter Cine Technik

Camera

The 435 enhances the creative process via its programmability and reliability, and provides the camera operator with the widest feature and performance capability of any MOS camera in use today.

Lenses and Filters

This series of variable prine lenses opens many creative possibilities, since any focal length can be continuously selected throughout the entire range. They offer sharp, high-contrast, high-resolution images with minimized vignetting, superior to many prime lenses.

DEREK C. LIGHTBODY

Lighting

The Aurasoft offers a radical new type of reflector design for the production of soft, very even and relatively shadowless light, with superior coverage and significantly higher intensity than existing softlights.

Camera Cranes

This radically original and effective solution to the problems of high-speed camera motion was achieved with the combination of novel geometry and dedicated 3-dimensional control software.

Camera Cranes

Over the past decade, Sorensen, Alexander and Trumbull have improved the speed, repeatability and portability of robotic camera platforms through novel engineering concepts and the pioneering use of composite materials.

Laboratory

KeyKode numbers are machine-readable bar codes on camera negative films that exactly replicate the human-readable key numbers. Together with an appropriate reader and database software, they reduce errors and speed important post-production operations, leading to significant cost savings.

Lenses and Filters

The Primo Series of lenses for 35mm cinematography represents a thorough and comprehensive approach to prime lens design, development and manufacture. This family of lenses has a wide range of focal lengths, all color matched, with improved modulation transfer function characteristics.

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL AWARD (Technical Achievement Award)

Camera Cranes

This cable-driven, manned camera platform allows the operator to spin 360 degrees for unimpeded pans while controlling the downhill speed via brakes. As a device for achieving otherwise impossible shots, Skyman has had a definite influence on later cable-suspended camera systems.

Camera Cranes

This radio-controlled, cable-driven camera platform with its ultra-smooth synthetic cables and powerful hydraulic motors, enables runs in excess of 3000 feet with quick return to start. Operating unmanned, it can function at speeds and through perils that would be unsafe for on-board operators.

Special Photographic

This pioneering laser film recorder, designed and used for motion pictures, demonstrated the potential of this technology for recording digital data onto intermediate film stock.

Camera Cranes

This silent, high-speed motion control modification of a Panther dolly makes it possible to film moving camera composite shots of actors while recording live dialogue.

Camera Cranes

This extensive modification to the Panther dolly allows high-speed moves to be silent, smooth and stable.

Camera Cranes

These components have become the de facto industry standard for use in precision motion control equipment.

Photography

The design and execution of the Spectra Professional IV-A meter has resulted in a practical and successful tool for the film production community.

Ivan Kruglak

Camera

Through years of persistent effort, Mr. Kruglak has commercialized and popularized a technique of great utility for motion picture camera operations. By introducing diversity antennas and a time code insertion accessory, he has optimized camera wireless video-assist components.

Dr. Douglas R. Roble

Special Photographic

The TRACK system is an integrated software tool that uses computer-vision techniques to extract critical 2D and 3D information about a scene and the camera used to film it.

Thaddeus Beier

Special Photographic

Ras_track allows the user to determine the postiton and location of the camera and objects in a scene by tracking points in a scanned sequence.

Sound

The K-TEK series microphone boom pole provides production recording personnel with a self-lubricated, light-weight, sturdy pole with multiple accessories.

Nick Foster

Special Photographic

This software technique provides an efficient and flexible method for the creation of flowing streams, oceans, tidal waves and turbulence for motion picture visual effects.

Cary Phillips

Special Photographic

By integrating existing tools into a powerful interactive system, and adding an expressive multi-target shape interpolation-based freeform animation system, the \"Caricature\" system provides a degree of subtlety and refinement not possible with other systems.

Lenses and Filters

Designed to correspond to the spectral sensitivity of color negative film stocks, these filters provide for improved color control in motion picture lighting.

Laboratory

The use of zeolite crystals as molecular sieves to absorb moisture, acetic acid, methylene chloride and a variety of solvents created an effective deterrent to the effects of vinegar syndrome in stored film stock.

Camera

This leveler keeps the camera eyepiece at the same level, regardless of whether the camera position is tilted up or down, enabling the camera operator to concentrate on the composition of the image.

Laboratory

The KeyKode Sync Reader provides a fast, accurate and user-friendly means of utilizing the KeyKode information on film, thereby expediting the editorial and post-production processes.

Ivan Kruglak

Editorial and Pre-production

Time code slates have had significant impact on the filmmaking process by simplifying post-production. This development makes the synchronization process faster and more precise, particularly when multiple cameras are used.

Mike Denecke

Editorial and Pre-production

Due to their features and simplified operational procedures, the Denecke slates have had significant impact on the motion picture industry and have become the standard for electronic time code slates.

Laboratory

The DigiSync Film KeyKode Reader provides a fast, accurate and user-friendly means of utilizing the KeyKode information on film, expediting the editorial and post-production processes.

JOHN A. BONNER MEDAL OF COMMENDATION

David W. Gray