New SMPTE Fellows - October 2002

SMPTE has announced fourteen new Fellows for the 144th Technical Conference and Exhibition in Pasadena.

Listed below are the award recipients and background information on each honoree.

William P. Bleha is vice-president, engineering, of the JVC ILA Technology Group in Lake Forest, CA. He is currently involved in the research and development of D-ILA technology for large-screen projection displays, including applications in digital cinema, medicine, and visualization. His engineering interests have concentrated on optical projection systems and display system architecture. He is the author of over 30 journal articles and holds 20 U.S. patents. He received the 1978 Hughes Aircraft Hyland Patent Award, and in 1986, the Rank Prize for Opto-Electronics, for his role in the invention and development of the Image Light Amplifier (ILA). Bleha is a member of the Society for Information Display (SID), and the Society of Photographic and Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). He participates on the SMPTE DC 28 Digital Cinema Committees on the Projection and Mastering Subcommittees.

Richard C. Carlson is director of engineering, American Region, Eastman Kodak Co., where he serves as the liaison between Kodak's research and development areas and the sales force. He routinely serves as public speaker for training seminars and product launches and has been involved in a number of Kodak's product development programs representing the customer and field interest. Carlson has been an active SMPTE member for over ten years in both the Hollywood and New York Sections. He currently serves as the Film Topics Chairman of the New York City Section, and Film Topics Editorial Director on the national level.

Leonardo Chiariglione is vice-president, multimedia, of Telecom Italia Lab. He founded and currently chairs the Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG), the ISO group that produced MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 standards, which support digital audio-visual applications on diverse delivery systems; MPEG-7, which supports advanced search and retrieval of audio-visual content; and is developing MPEG-21, the multimedia framework. Chiariglione also founded the Digital Audio-Visual Council (DAVIC), the Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents (FIPA), and the EURASIP journal, Image Communications.

Robert C. Edge is principal engineer, storage engineering, at Grass Valley Group. He recently led the effort to standardize the General Exchange Format (GXF), or SMPTE 360M, and is currently involved in efforts to encourage the use of standard computer technology for remote systems management in the television industry. He is active in television standards work, including participation in SMPTE, a few European Broadcasters Union (EBU) projects, the Advanced Authoring Format Association, and the Pro-MPEG Forum. Previously he participated in the EBU/SMPTE Joint Task Force. Edge is the author of many technical papers on the application of computer technology for television systems. He has also written papers on 3-D graphics systems and computer file systems designs.

Geoffrey E. Healy is principal consultant at Healy Associates. Prior to that, he headed the television program production division at Channel Seven Sydney, Australia, for 20 years. Healy was responsible for the Olympics network television coverage for Australia at the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow, the first by a sole commercial broadcaster. He also worked as head of technical operations and engineering for the Sydney Olympic Broadcasting Corp., host broadcaster of the 2000 Olympic Games. Healy also invented the Racecam in-car POV systems, for which he won an Emmy for sport television innovation from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He is currently designing the technical facilities for the coverage of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Greece.

Mark S. Hyman has been staff engineer at SMPTE since 1989. His responsibilities include technical and administrative functions relating to the standardization activities of the Society. He is also technical advisor for ISO TC36, Cinematography. In October 2001, he was named chairman of IEC TC100: Audio, Video, and Multimedia Systems and Equipment. His appointment from the IEC Central Office in Geneva, Switzerland, is for a term of six years. Hyman previously worked as a broadcast engineer for RCA Television Systems in Camden, NJ.

Stephen W. Long currently serves as the director of the Motion Imagery Program Office within the National Imaging and Mapping Agency. He is chairman of the U.S. Department of Defense/Intelligence Community/National System for the Geospatial Intelligence Motion Imagery Standards Board, as well as the NATO Air Group IV Motion Imagery Technical Support Team. Long is a recognized expert in the development of commercial motion imagery metadata standards and systems and has served as the metadata subcommittee chairman of SMPTE W25 Committee on Wrappers and Metadata. He is also a professional lecturer at American University, Washington, DC, where he teaches classes in video engineering.

Richard P. May is vice-president, film preservation at Warner Bros., where he is responsible for preserving the entire Turner and Warner Bros. film and audio library. He was instrumental in developing a comprehensive 15-year program to protect the Turner and Warner Bros. film audio inventory, which involves the protection of several hundred movies and photographs on nitrate film, supervising duplication of safety stock, conversion of all movies shot in the 3-strip Technicolor process to moderate intermediate films, and currently schedules the conversion of about 1000 early Warner Bros. short subjects to safety film. May is the SMPTE Hollywood Section Chair and has also served as Secretary/Treasurer.

Tom O. Mikkelsen is senior director, broadcast technology and facilities, AT&T Digital Media Centers. He has focused his broadcast-engineering career on applying technology to make organizations operate more effectively. He has been actively involved in ADMC's network origination, satellite transmission, broadcast services, and cable communications projects since 1997. He is responsible for broadcast engineering, satellite transmission, and facilities in one of the largest origination and uplink centers in the U.S. Mikkelsen is also a member of the SBE and the IEEE.

Yoshimichi Nagaoka is an advisor to the Industrial Property Cooperation Center of Japan (IPCC). He was previously chief engineer at JVC and has engaged in the development and implementation of VTR formats such as VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS, and SMPTE D-9 (Digital-S), etc. A member of SMPTE V16/C24, IEC, the EBU Task Force, and JEITA, Nagaoka has also contributed to the standardization of SMPTE D-9 formats.

Masaaki Notani was a technical industry liaison at Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., prior to his retirement. He was actively involved in the development of the M format recorder, which was manufactured as the M2 VTR for professional application. As a result of his efforts, the MARC II system that uses M2, D-3, and D-5 tape formats was developed. Notani has been awarded numerous patents related to recording technology, published more than ten papers on recording technology in Japanese technical journals, and remains involved in standardization activities.

Kenneth A. Parulski has been involved in digital imaging research and product development for over 20 years. A Research Fellow in the Digital and Applied Imaging division of Eastman Kodak Co., Parulski led the research group that developed the world's first color megapixel digital camera prototypes in 1986, and was the chief architect for Kodak's first consumer digital cameras in the 1990s. His paper entitled "Source Adaptive Encoding Options for HDTV and NTSC," received the SMPTE Journal Certificate award in 1992. He also proposed and helped develop SMPTE's 24 frame/sec progressive scanning standards, now used to master most film-originated primetime TV programs. Parulski, who has served on the SMPTE Board of Editors since 1996, is the author of more than 50 papers and has been granted more than 75 U.S. patents.

Michael Robin is currently an independent consultant. Early in his 20-year tenure with the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC), Robin was a studio systems project engineer in charge of various stages of the CBC Maison de Radio Canada consolidation project. He has been involved with the development of video and audio corporate acceptance test procedures as well as test equipment for analog and, later, digital composite and component equipment systems. He was also involved with R&D, technical investigations, SMPTE standards committee work, and has trained CBC engineers and technicians in various areas of analog and digital video and audio applications.

Ira Tiffen is senior vice-president, research and development, at the Tiffen Co. He has 30 years of experience in the design and manufacture of optical filters and related photographic accessories, on which he holds patents. He is currently involved in the development of new tools to facilitate the transition into a more digital world of imaging. Tiffen's efforts earned him a Technical Achievement Award from AMPAS for the Ultra Contrast Filter Series and a NATAS Emmy Award for his contributions to the industry. A member of SMPTE since 1974, he is also a member of the SPIE, SPE, OSA, and an associate member of ASC.

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SMPTE Awards Recipients

SMPTE has announced the award winners for outstanding achievement in the motion imaging industry.

Eastman Kodak Gold Medal Award

It is the purpose of this award to honor the recipient by recognizing outstanding contributions which lead to new or unique educational programs utilizing motion pictures, television, and high-speed and instrumentation photography, or other photographic sciences. The award shall recognize developments, which result in advancing the educational process at any or all levels.

This year's award will be presented to Jean-Pierre Beauviala, President, Aaton Camera Corporation, for the introduction of the Aaton A-Minima Camera, which has resulted in advancing the educational process at all levels. It has also led to unique and innovative production applications in numerous film schools.

Progress Medal

This award is given to honor the individual by recognizing outstanding technical contributions to the progress of engineering phases of the motion picture, television, or motion imaging industries.

This year's award will be presented to William C. Miller, General Manager, DTV Planning & Standards, ABC, Inc., for his many contributions and vision, with respect to "reengineering" the standards processes within SMPTE during his tenure as Engineering Vice-President. This includes the successful restructuring of all Standards Working Group activities to conform with the operations described in the Task Force Report; providing the initial vision and overseeing the introduction of computer-based networking operations within the standards groups; and providing the technology leadership and drive towards implementing an electronic balloting system.

The Fuji Gold Medal Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding engineering achievements in the design and development of new or enhanced techniques and/or equipment that have contributed significantly to the advancement of photographic or electronic image origination.

This year's recipient, Volker W. Bahnemann, is president and CEO of ARRI Inc. and was instrumental in the design and development of several significant Arriflex products, which contributed substantially to the advancement of our industry. Among those products are the ARRI/Zeiss high speed lenses for 35mm cinematography, the Arriflex35 III, 765, and 435 motion picture cameras, and the ARRI/Zeiss variable prime lenses for 35mm cinematography. Bahnemann also received the John Bonner Medal from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his contributions to the motion picture industry.

John Grierson International Gold Medal

This award recognizes an individual for technical achievements related to the production of documentary motion picture film and significant contributions to the technology of documentary film production.

Edmund M. Di Giulio, Director, Research & Development, Tiffen Corp., has been selected as the recipient of this award for his innovative thinking and leadership, which have advanced the art and craft of both nonfiction and narrative filmmaking. He developed a barcode reader for telecines and other tools that have enabled filmmakers and post-production houses to utilize Kodak KeyKode technology to automate synchronizing film and sound. He subsequently pioneered other uses of technology, including enhanced camera viewing systems, which have provided filmmakers with useful tools. Di Giulio has played important roles on SMPTE study groups and standards committees. He has been recognized by both the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The Technicolor/Herbert T. Kalmus Gold Medal Award

This award is given to honor the recipient by recognizing outstanding contributions in the development of color films, processing, techniques, or equipment useful in making color motion pictures for theater or television use.

Joseph C. Wary, Vice-President, Engineering, Deluxe Laboratories, is recognized for his outstanding engineering contributions to the design and development of printing and processing equipment, and the advancement of laboratory technology used to produce color motion pictures. Wary's achievements include the design and development of the Deluxe Laboratories' computer-controlled digital light valve reader, and the development of the loop printing system, which includes the Academy Award-winning Quad Format Digital Printing Head.

The James A. Leitch Gold Medal Award

It is the purpose of this award to honor the recipient by recognizing outstanding contributions in the application of digital technology to the motion imaging arts and sciences. The award shall recognize developments in software, equipment, systems, or the standardization of technology involved in the acquisition, processing, or distribution of sound and images related to motion imaging.

Leonardo Chiariglione, Vice-President, Multimedia Telecom Italia Lab, has been selected as this year's recipient for his substantial contributions and pioneering work in digital television, including leading several European collaborative projects. Chiariglione is being elevated to Fellow status at this Conference as well. Chiariglione started the HDTV Workshop, an international event targeted at promoting the technical aspects of HDTV, overcoming the traditional barriers of specific industry interests. He also began the ISO standardization activity known as Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and conceived the idea of the Digital Audio-Video Council (DAVIC), a Geneva-based association with the mission to promote new digital audio video applications and services through timely availability across countries and applications/services.

The David Sarnoff Medal Award

It is the purpose of this award to honor the recipient by recognizing outstanding contributions in the development of new techniques or equipment, which have contributed to the improvement of the engineering phases of television, including theater television [Digital Cinema].

Dr. Larry J. Hornbeck, TI Fellow, Texas Instruments, is recognized for his invention of the Digital Micromirror Device (DMD), the microdisplay chip at the core of TI's Digital Light ProcessingÔ technology, and for his twenty-five years of sustained contributions to microdisplay technology that were essential to the successful commercialization of a new class of all-digital projectors based on DLPÔ technology. His contributions have played a key role in stimulating a resurgence of interest in digital cinema and to opening up exciting new opportunities for microdisplays in the home theater and big-screen TV markets. Hornbeck has received numerous awards for his inventions and holds 32 patents in CCD and DMD technology. He is a member of the IEEE, SID, SMPTE, and is an SPIE Fellow.

The Samuel L. Warner Memorial Medal Award

This award is given to honor the individual by recognizing outstanding contributions in the design and development of new and improved methods and/or apparatus for sound-on-film motion pictures, including any step in process.

This year's recipient, Craig C. Todd, serves as a senior member of the technical staff at Dolby Laboratories, where he has worked since 1977 and has contributed substantially to developments in multichannel film sound. He has been working to bring discrete multichannel audio to the consumer and is one of the primary designers of Dolby Digital and Dolby E coding technologies. Todd was heavily involved in the ACATS/ATSC effort to set the DTV standard for the U.S. He is currently working in the area of Digital Cinema.

The Journal Award

This award is presented to the author(s) of the most outstanding paper originally published in the Journal of the Society during the preceding calendar year. Papers published in the Journal are eligible only if any previous publication was by the Society.

The Journal Award will be presented to Gary Demos for his paper, "The Future of the Moving Image," published in the June 2001 issue of the SMPTE Journal. Demos supervised the development of the first digital film printer, for which he received an Academy Scientific and Engineering Award for scanning technology and an Academy Technical Achievement Award for digital compositing technology. Demos founded DemoGraFX, where he served as President/CEO, and currently on the Board of Directors. He is a prominent strategist in advanced television standards and is recognized for his patented Layered Compression System Technology.

The Citation for Outstanding Service to the Society

This award recognizes individuals for dedicated service to the Society over a sustained period of time. Particular emphasis is placed on service performed at the Section level, including but not limited to, services performed at Section meetings, special Section meetings, and national conferences.

This year's recipients are Gerald W. Brooks, Robert E. Lamm, David Leung, and Warren Singer.

• Gerald W. Brooks, Training Manager, Rexel Australia Video Systems, is recognized for his sustained and committed performance to SMPTE and the Australian Section over an extended period of time. Under his chairmanship and throughout his many years as Manager, the Section has grown steadily, and the SMPTE presence in Australia has attracted wide industry support and has demonstrated value to its members.
• Robert E. Lamm, Cync Corp., has been the driving and motivating force for the New England Section for almost two decades. Since his first involvement as a Section Manager, he has sought to maintain a constant relationship with his fellow members from the introduction of the New England Newsletter to the establishment of one of SMPTE's first websites. Lamm exemplifies the type of volunteer effort that makes the SMPTE work, excel, and survive.
• David Leung, Supervisory Engineer, Hong Kong Cable TV Ltd., has worked tirelessly within the Hong Kong community in promoting and spearheading many initiatives that have helped maintain SMPTE's strong presence in that part of the world. Often, with limited resources, he has organized numerous technical meetings. He is a respected leader in his community.
• In his 25 years of involvement in broadcast television, Warren Singer, Managing Director, Video Technology Resources, Inc., has played a major role in the introduction of leading-edge developments in his workplace; from triax cameras in the 70s to today's HDTV equipment. A longtime SMPTE member, Singer has been supportive of the Society as both a volunteer and elected officer. He is also a longstanding member of the NATAS technical achievement awards (Emmy) committee.

The Presidential Proclamation

This award is given to those individuals of established and outstanding status and reputation in the motion picture and television industries worldwide.

This year's award is given to Ben Homenick (posthumously), Vince Slavin (posthumously), and Dominic J. Case.

• Ben Homenick served as audio-visual chair at the last three technical conferences held in New York and served the New York Section for many years in numerous positions. Homenick was director of the Nassau County Police Department's Visual Communications Unit for 21 years, where he was responsible for all aspects of engineering, ranging from equipment specifications to operations. He oversaw the development of full-scale production facilities, which included a large television studio. Homenick was a founding and board member of the Long Island Film and TV Museum, a member of the AES, the Long Island Chapter of Media Communications Associates, and the Law Enforcement Video Association.
• Vince Slavin began his career as a teenager working in Buffalo, NY, at local movie houses; later becoming a theater projectionist. Since the mid-60s he had operated his own production house, producing educational and training programs for industrial and commercial productions. In 1999 Slavin was presented with the Citation for Outstanding Service to the Society Award for his contributions to the Rochester Section. Prior to his death, Slavin had been reelected as Chairman of the Rochester Section. For over 11 years, he had organized the outstanding Student Film and Video Festival for New York State students. In his honor, the festival has since been renamed the Vincent T. Slavin Student Film and Video Festival.
• Dominic J. Case, Manager, Group Technology & Services, Atlab Australia, is currently responsible for technology developments and quality control programs across the company's five laboratories. A SMPTE Fellow, Case has been an active participant in Society affairs, serving as a Manager, Section Chair, and International Governor. He is the author of two books on film processing and post-production and is a frequent presenter at SMPTE conferences, having had a number of papers published in the SMPTE Journal.

The Lou Wolf Memorial Scholarship

The Lou Wolf Memorial Scholarship is designed to help students further their undergraduate or graduate studies in motion pictures and television, with an emphasis on technology.

This year's recipients are Jeffrey Chong, Francois Dompierre, Penny K. Hicks, Antonio Paez, and Kenneth Young (a.k.a. Kassa Zakadi). This group of students represents a diverse and complete set of individuals whose interests and pursuits are clearly within the goals and interests of SMPTE.

• Jeffrey Chong is an honors student at Pasadena City College, Pasadena CA. His interests are in camera functions, photographic processes, and audiovisual equipment. During his time at PCC, he has earned several awards. His goals are to earn a degree in video production and video operations and technology from PCC, which he will be able to apply in a technology-based area of the motion picture or television industry.
• Francois Dompierre is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film Production at the University of Southern California. His goals are to learn more about the theory and application of sound in filmmaking and apply his own creativity, eventually pursuing a career as a rerecording mixer.
• Penny Kathryn Hicks is in the Communications Technology program at Bates Technical College in Tacoma, WA. An outstanding student, her interest in broadcast has led her to the pursuit of a degree in technology. After graduation, Hicks hopes to work in a mobile remote unit, covering sports, special events, etc.
• Antonio Paez is a Fulbright Scholar from Ecuador, pursuing a Masters in Fine Arts at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. Paez's focal interest lies in Film and New Media. He plans to become an independent media artist and would also like to contribute his knowledge of film theory, film practice, and new media to organized groups and other individual artists.
• Kenneth Young, Jr., (a.k.a. Kassa Zakadi) a student at Pasadena City College, also works fulltime as a master control operator. Young is interested in improving the technology of digital filmmaking as well as video compression. After completing his studies at PCC, he plans to attend California State University, where he will focus on lighting and nonlinear editing.

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