Creators of Software Earn Oscar
The first Oscar statuette for the development of computer software was announced Friday, bestowed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Rob Cook, Loren Carpenter and Ed Catmull of Pixar, creators of Renderman.
The computer graphic software allows computer-generated scenes to be seamlessly matched with other footage in movies. The software has been used not only in completely animated films such as the two “Toy Story” movies and “A Bug’s Life,” but also in live-action movies such as “Jurassic Park,” “Titanic,” “The Matrix” and, most recently, “Gladiator.”
The academy, in unveiling 17 awards for scientific and technical achievements for the year 2000, cited Cook, Carpenter and Catmull for “their significant advancements to the field of motion picture rendering.”
The Scientific and Technical Academy Awards will be presented March 3 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The Renderman creators will receive an Oscar, while other winners will get plaques or certificates. The distinctions are drawn over how significant the developments are deemed to be in influencing and advancing the industry.
Other awards went to advancements in such areas as digital audio dubbing, film processing, projection, cameras and stunt safety.
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