Twenty-one scientific and technical achievements, 16 distinct investigations, have been selected for further consideration by the Academy’s scientific and technical awards committee.

The deadline to submit additional entries is August 26.

The committee has selected the following technologies for further consideration:

  • Portable, remote-controlled telescoping camera columns
    Prompted by MAT-TOWERCAM TWIN PEEK (MAT - Mad About Technology);
  • Drivable, high-speed vehicle platforms
    Prompted by THE BISCUIT JR. (Allan Padelford Camera Cars);
  • Neutral density filters that remove infrared contamination
    Prompted by INFRARED NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTER TECHNOLOGY (Tiffen Company);
  • Lightweight, prime lens sets for high-resolution cameras
    Prompted by LEICA SUMMILUX-C PRIME LENS SERIES (CW Sonderoptic);
  • Optical audio transfer processes
    Prompted by CHACE OPTICAL SOUND PROCESSOR (Deluxe);
  • Enabling technology of digital cinema projectors
    Prompted by TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DLP CINEMA TECHNOLOGY (Texas Instruments);
  • Interactive blend shape modelling and manufacturing
    Prompted by LAIKA RAPID PROTOTYPING AND FACIAL ANIMATION TECHNOLOGY (LAIKA, Inc.) and ILM SHAPE SCULPTING SYSTEM (ILM);
  • Measurement toolsets for quality control of cinematic experience
    Prompted by LSS-100P (Ultra-Stereo Labs);
  • Displays providing suitable visual reference for feature film review
    Prompted by SONY TRIMASTER EL ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DIODE PICTURE MONITORS (Sony Pictures Imageworks);
  • Collaborative, enhanceable image playback and review systems
    Prompted by RV MEDIA PLAYER (Tweak Software);
  • High-resolution motion-capture techniques for deforming objects
    Prompted by MOVA (MOVA) and GEOMETRY TRACKER (ILM);
  • Systems for interactive grooming and direct-manipulation of digital hair
    Prompted by BARBERSHOP (Weta Digital);
  • Systems for placing, grooming and resolving collisions of digital feathers
    Prompted by DREAMWORKS FEATHER SYSTEM (DreamWorks Animation);
  • Systems for modeling, animation and rendering of digital vegetation
    Prompted by SPEEDTREE (IDV);
  • Digital technologies for high-density physical destruction simulation
    Prompted by DROP DESTRUCTION TOOLKIT (Digital Domain) and FINITE ELEMENT DESTRUCTION MODELING (UC Berkeley) and ODIN - UNIFIED HPC MULTI-PHYSICS SIMULATION PLATFORM (Weta Digital); and
  • Efficient volumetric data formats
    Prompted by FIELD 3D (Sony Pictures Imageworks) and VDB: HIGH-RESOLUTION SPARSE VOLUMES WITH DYNAMIC TOPOLOGY (DreamWorks Animation).

The committee will meet in early December to vote on recommendations to the Academy’s board of governors, which will make the final awards decisions.

The 2014 Scientific and Technical Awards will be presented on February 7, 2015. The Oscar ceremony proper takes place on February 22, 2015.