The following two Canadian companies received awards at the annual Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Awards presentation held February 11, 2012:
- Andrew Clinton and Mark Elendt of Toronto-based Side Effects Software won the Technical Achievement Award for their software that improves rendering of digital special effects such as smoke and clouds.
- It’s the third Academy Award for Side Effects Software, whose Houdini 3D software is used by leading film studios from Hollywood to Bollywood, including Dreamworks, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Digital Domain, Disney Feature Animation and Double Negative.
- Houdini has been used in over 400 feature films to date, including:
- the Spiderman and Harry Potter series
- as well The Matrix and Lord of the Rings trilogies
- nine of the last 11 films to win the Academy Award for best visual effects have used Houdini to do it.
- The Ontario-made software has been used in a number of recent blockbusters, including:
- Transformers: Dark of the Moon
- and Puss in Boots.
This video shows PV Labs (in Hamilton Ontario, Canada) which is the winner of an Academy Award in 2012 for Best Engineering Achievement:
- Michael Lewis, Michael Vellekoop, Raigo Alas and Greg Marsden of Hamilton-based PV Labs received a Scientific and Engineering Award for the development of a camera mount that provides more stable images when filming scenes from a helicopter.
- PV Labs makes very high end specialty imaging systems for surveillance, security, industrial and entertainment applications.
- You may not have heard of them, but you’ve probably seen the products of their work: any Hollywood picture shot today that features aerial photography is using PV Labs technology.
- The technology has already been used in several Hollywood blockbusters, including:
- The Hangover 2,
- The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn
- and the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises.
- The Hangover 2,
Now, Ontario’s innovative film industry benefits Canadians in the following ways:
- international recognition
- supports nearly 30,000 jobs
- contributed $1.26 billion to Ontario’s economy in 2011, an increase of 31 per cent over 2010
Congratulations Ontario!
Ontario, Canada: Newsroom
NEWS RELEASE
Ontario Companies Win At Academy Awards
February 25, 2012
Achievements In Film Honoured With Scientific And Technical Awards
Ontario’s innovative film industry is being recognized internationally, with two Ontario teams presented with awards at the annual Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Awards presentation held February 11, 2012.
Andrew Clinton and Mark Elendt of Toronto-based Side Effects Software won the Technical Achievement Award for their software that improves rendering of digital special effects such as smoke and clouds. The Ontario-made software has been used in a number of recent blockbusters, including Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Puss in Boots.
Michael Lewis, Michael Vellekoop, Raigo Alas and Greg Marsden of Hamilton-based PV Labs received a Scientific and Engineering Award for the development of a camera mount that provides more stable images when filming scenes from a helicopter. The technology has already been used in several Hollywood blockbusters, including The Hangover 2, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn and the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises.
Supporting made-in-Ontario technology is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to strengthen the economy and create more jobs for Ontario families.
QUOTES
“Congratulations to Side Effects Software and PV Labs on their Academy Awards. The McGuinty government is committed to supporting the province’s innovative film and television industry. Our industry tax credits, combined with our creative and talented workforce will ensure that we continue to create good jobs and build a stronger economy.”
– Brad Duguid
Minister of Economic Development and Innovation
“Ontario is home to world-class talent that entertains and engages audiences around the world. Our government is proud to support Ontario’s film and television industry and help transform creativity into jobs for the province.”
– Michael Chan
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
“Ontario is home to the third largest film industry in North America. As a company, we’ve benefited from the exceptional talent coming out of Ontario’s universities and colleges, and the tremendous government support for the industry.”
– Kim Davidson
Co-Founder, President and CEO, Side Effects Software
“The use of R&D tax credits has been vitally important for developing our technology. In addition, we take advantage of the Cooperative Education Tax Credit, an incentive that allows us to hire and train students with financial help from the government.”
– Ty Shattuck
President and CEO, PV Labs
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario’s film and television industry supports nearly 30,000 jobs and contributed $1.26 billion to Ontario’s economy in 2011, an increase of 31 per cent over 2010.
- Ontario’s tax credits to support the film and television industry are valued at $290 million annually.
LEARN MORE
CONTACT
Andrew Block
Minister Duguid’s Office
416-325-0362
Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation
ontario.ca/economy
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