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I would like to thank the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for finally acknowledging the category "Visual Effects." That eliminates some of the years of confusion that we Special Effects Technicians in live theatre have had to suffer through and it's like a weight has been lifted from our shoulders. It was difficult enough when CGI, which used to mean "common graphics interface," was suddenly ripped away by the motion picture industry to signify "computer generated imagery" and worse yet when pixel manipulation took over on-screen for the mechanical, chemical and electrical illusions for which our trade was once famous.
I'd also like to acknowledge my father, Don Anderson, who in 1985 won a Technical and Scientific Academy Award for his development, with his chemist partner at 3M, Diana Reiners, of Cinetrak film, a better magnetic film for sound recording that had improved signal-to-noise properties through use of low-noise oxide giving a tremendous improvement in dynamic range that changed Hollywood sound for two decades. While the Scientific and Technical Academy Awards aren't broadcast like the regular Oscars since they involve backstage geeks who wouldn't draw a crowd if they lit their hair on fire and gave away ten-dollar bills, the ceremony is a red-carpet affair in Hollywood with celebrities and tuxedoes and a very great honor to those unsung heroes in the theatre technical arts. Here are photos of my father and Diana with Janet Leigh, the 1985 presenter, and at a party with Bob Hope on the following day. I am, needless to say, indebted to Dad for setting me off on this backstage course.
Thursday, February 12, 2004 HEADS! Newsletter and "Uncle Bill"
While I've yet to meet Bill Sapsis in person (we're both USITT members but in different regions) I think I would like him for three reasons: 1. He writes well. 2. He rides a Harley. 3. He's old enough to have family in the business. As far as his professional qualifications are concerned, he must be good (see 3 above) since counterweight systems have a unique way of weeding out the incompetent and careless. So give HEADS! a read, especially the chapters on "Counterweight Systems" and "Rope Locks." We have a couple dozen techs here who might live long enough to own Harleys some day thanks to Uncle Bill.
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