Actress Kate Hudson presented the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Awards at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
Alias Wavefront received an award for developing "Maya," a 3-D animation, modeling and rendering production tool. Oscars were presented to Arnold and Richter Cine Technik and to Panavision, for the two companies' continuing advancements in camera systems designed for the film industry.
Alias software was used to bring vision to life in such cutting edge films as The Abyss, Terminator 2, Jurassic Park and to recent Oscar award-winning films Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Matrix, Shrek and For the Birds.
In games, early favorites such as Donkey Kong Country, Star Control II and Quake took full advantage of Alias technology and most recently, six out of 10 top-selling 2002 holiday games were made with Maya software, including Madden Football 2003, SOCOM: US Navy Seals.
Every major automotive manufacturer uses Alias software, from Audi with its new Audi TT; to Renault with its Megane II, and our longest standing customer, General Motors
In product design, Alias customers are creating award-winning designs and world-recognized brands including Apple computers, Nike sports gear, Trek racing bicycles, Herman Miller furniture, John Deere tractors, the Segway human transporter and even Olympic torches.
Panavision provides ultra precision film and digital imaging equipment for the motion picture industry.
Panavision is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-precision camera systems, comprising cameras, lenses and accessories, for the motion picture and television industries. Panavision's systems are rented through its domestic and international owned and operated facilities and agent network.
Scientific and Technical Awards are presented by the Academy for devices, methods, formulas, discoveries or inventions of special and outstanding value to the arts and sciences of motion pictures.
Any device, method, formula, discovery or invention of special and outstanding value to the arts and sciences of motion pictures -- and employed in the motion picture industry during the awards year -- can be considered for recognition. The steps involved in the process have been carefully determined since the awards began. They, and the award rules, are reviewed annually and when there is room for improvement they are altered.
If an achievement has had a definite influence on the advancement of the industry, it may qualify for a Scientific and Engineering Award.