Digital Oscars Awarded

prostoalex writes "MSNBC covers the Academy's Scientific and Technical Awards, which generally take place before the Oscars, but recognize companies and individuals that helped the advancement of film-making with technology. This year's winners include DigiDesign, the creator of Pro Tools audio package, Bill Tondreau from Kuper Controls for robotic camera systems and Peter D. Parks, with a lifetime achievement award."

It is a shame

[UnidentifiedCoward]

It is a shame really that these people do not receive more recognition for their work. Their contribution is in some cases ground breaking. But since it is not "interesting" they do not get any air time.

As anybody who uses Pro Tools will tell you, it is the end all be all when it comes to the audio spectrum. They defenitely deserved the recognition. And regardless of what you may think of LotR, you have to give props to the Massive project.

Kudos to you.

"Technology" does not necessarily mean "digital"

[Nakito]

Filmmaking is technological by nature. Many filmmaking technologies are in the realms of mechanical engineering, optics, lighting, chemistry (e.g., film emulsions), model making, etc. I don't think it's very accurate to refer to the Academy Awards for technological achievements as the "Digital Oscars."

Re:It is a shame

[dilvie]

I have used protools. I think they deserved that recognition in the mid 90's, when they were really doing new and innovative things, but the most of their recent cool developments have happenned in the control equipment, rather than the software itself -- hell, protools on OS X was starting to look like vaporware to many of us, it took them so long to get it working.

In the mean-time, many other companies have done a lot of cool stuff in the audio industry that actually is new and innovative, especially in terms of software and equipment that costs less than $5k.

Most of the really cool innovation has come from the price drops that have made it possible to build an entire movie production studio for less than $20k -- including everything you need to record, mix, and post produce audio, quality cameras, and affordable NLE software.

Where is the mention of that? The garage studio revolution has arrived -- the key products in that revolution should be the ones recieving the awards this year... so where are they?

Because there are never enough Award shows..

[Dr. Ion]

Seriously, is there any other industry that does as much back-patting and self-stroking as Hollywood?

These are some seriously affirmation-hungry groups that just live for the moment to tell everyone "what a great opportunity it was to work with such a great professional" blah blah.

Soon they're going to have a hard time fitting any new "content" in between the award shows.