1997 SCI-TECH AWARD WINNERS
TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Clark F. Crites
Design and development of the ELF l-C Endless Loop Film Transport and storage system.
With its ability to handle up to four hours of film without damage, and its compact size, the ELF l-C has proven to be one of the most reliable and useful devices to automate the projection of motion picture film in a wide variety of film venues.
Dan Leimeter and Bob Weitz
Development and implementation of a Portable Adjustment Tool for T-Style Slit Lens Assemblies.
This tool provides a means of quickly and accurately setting the azimuth and focal plane of the tubular-style slit lenses in the optical soundheads of a significant majority of theatrical 35mm motion picture projectors.
Greg Hermanovic, Kim Davidson, Mark Elendt and Paul Breslin
Development of the procedural modeling and animation components of the Prisms software package.
Through a procedural building-block process, the Prisms 3-D Animation Software is used to simulate natural phenomena and create particle effects, complex three-dimensional models and motion for feature film visual effects.
Jim Keating, Michael Wahrman and Richard Hollander
Contributions that led to the Wavefront Advanced Visualizer computer graphics system.
The Wavefront System was the first commercial software package for modeling, animating and rendering computer-generated elements and scenes that was adopted into widespread use to create digital images with sufficient quality for theatrical motion pictures.
James M. Reilly, Douglas W. Nishimura and Monique C. Fisher of the Rochester Institute of Technology
Creation of A-D Strips, a diagnostic tool for the detection of the presence of vinegar syndrome in processed acetate-based motion picture film.
A-D (Acid Detector) Strips provide a repeatable, quantitative, calibrated check of the presence and extent of vinegar syndrome progression, a slow form of chemical deterioration, in processed and stored acetate-based film.
Philip C. Cory
Design and development of the Special Effects Spark Generator.
This non-pyrotechnical device provides a controllable, reliable, variable and economical shower of sparks for motion picture special effects, while improving safety on the set.
Jim Frazier, Iain Neil and Rick Gelbard
Design and development of the Panavision/Frazier Lens System for motion picture photography.
This system provides a versatile, lightweight, deep-field and infinitely pointable lens attachment for 35mm motion picture cameras. Through its unusual shotmaking capabilities, the Panavision/Frazier system greatly expands the creative opportunities for cinematographers and directors.
James F. Foley, Charles Converse and F. Edward Gardner of UCISCO; and to Bob Stoker and Matt Sweeney
Development and realization of the Liquid Synthetic Air system.
The Liquid Synthetic Air system provides a stable, breathable mixture of liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen for the creation of safe, low-lying fog effects in motion pictures.
Richard Chuang, Glenn Entis and Carl Rosendahl
Concept and architecture of the Pacific Data Images (PDI) Animation System.
Pacific Data Images created an extensible and flexible procedural architecture for computer animation. This early proprietary system is still in use, meeting the increasing demands of contemporary visual effects and animation production.
James A. Cashin, Roger Hibbard and Larry Jacobson
Design, development and implementation of a projection system analyzer.
This device permits any projection system to be analyzed and uniformly quantified with a simple setup. It allows for the adjustment of the weave, jitter and screen illumination for optimum projection performance.
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