Recipients Polly Hickling, Carys Hughes, and Russell Trafford-Jones are this year's SMPTE honorees.
The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) is set to honour a group of industry luminaries at its annual Awards Gala in October. This year's recipients have made significant contributions to the advancement of film, television, and digital media technologies and techniques.
Dr Peter Centen, a pioneer in image sensor technology, will receive the Camera Origination and Imaging Medal for his groundbreaking innovations that transformed electronic cinematography and broadcast imaging. Centen's work has had a profound impact on the industry, making high-quality visuals more accessible than ever before.
Another notable recipient is Michelle Munson, co-founder and CEO of Aspera, a company that has become one of the most influential technology firms in modern media infrastructure. Munson will receive the Workflow Systems Medal for her leadership and entrepreneurial impact in transforming media workflows on a global scale.
Sir Ian Taylor, founder of Animation Research Ltd, will receive the Progress Medal for his leadership and technological innovation in animation and sports production. Taylor's virtual technologies have revolutionized how audiences experience live sports, offering immersive and engaging experiences that have redefined the boundaries of sports production.
Carolyn Giardina, Carys Hughes, and Russell Trafford-Jones are among the thirteen new SMPTE Fellows who will be recognised for their contributions to the industry. These individuals have made significant strides in various areas, from motion picture sound to large-scale broadcast systems.
Polly Hickling will receive the Excellence in Education Medal for her contributions to developing inclusive and accessible learning pathways in media engineering. Hickling's work ensures that the next generation of media professionals has the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry.
Steve LLamb will receive the Excellence in Standards Award for his leadership and contributions to the SMPTE Standards Community. LLamb's work has been instrumental in shaping the standards that underpin the media and entertainment industry.
Four individuals will be honoured with the Citation for Outstanding Service to the Society: Zandra Clarke, Bill Hogan, Jim DeFilippis, and Ujwal Nirgudkar. These individuals have dedicated their time and expertise to furthering the goals and objectives of SMPTE.
Renard Jenkins, Fellows Committee chair and SMPTE past-president, congratulated this year's award recipients for their dedication to SMPTE and the industry. "Their work has not only advanced the state of the art in media and entertainment but has also set a high bar for future generations," Jenkins said.
In addition to the individual awards, Animation Research Ltd will be recognised for its pioneering work in virtual technologies, and Ben Burtt will receive the Samuel L Warner Memorial Medal Award for his work on motion picture sound. Scott Miller will receive the Natalie M and Herbert T Kalmus Award for his contributions to the Perceptual Quantizer (PQ) transfer function. Lastly, Reto Kromer will receive the James A Lindner Archival Technology Medal for his contributions to audiovisual preservation.
For more detailed information on the 2021 SMPTE award recipients and their notable contributions, please consult the official SMPTE website or their published awards archives for that year. The current search results do not cover this specific detail.
Michelle Munson, with her company Aspera becoming a significant player in modern media infrastructure, will receive the Workflow Systems Medal, recognizing her leadership and technological impact on a global scale. The achievements of digital media education pioneer Polly Hickling, who has focused on developing inclusive learning pathways for media engineering, are being celebrated with the Excellence in Education Medal.
