The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be launching 10 new scientific and technical investigations in 2023. The investigations will be completed by an Academy committee ahead of the upcoming Scientific and Technical Awards on Feb. 23, 2024.
Investigations currently underway cover the following areas: onboard remote driving apparatus; reusable cable-cutting devices for motion picture squibs; post-process depth of field software; mathematically lossless encoding of motion picture camera raw files; motor-stabilized motion picture camera support systems for hand/body-supported operation; interactive renderers that provide a representative approximation of final offline renders during post-production; volumetric surface reconstruction; pattern-based 3D clothing creation software; layerable hierarchical 3D scene description frameworks; and digital image processing film restoration software utilized for theatrical re-release and archival preservation.
Individuals and companies with devices or claims of innovation that fall under the umbrella of any of these categories are welcomed by the Academy to submit their achievements for review. The deadline to submit additional entries is July 28 at 5 p.m. PT. The committee is set to reconvene in the fall to vote on recommendations to the Academy’s board of governors, which makes final awards decisions.
Kristin Mann Joins Pacific Standard Sound as New Head of Production
Pacific Standard Sound has tapped Kristin Mann to join its team as head of production, the sound design company announced Thursday.
Mann dove into the industry as an associate producer contributing to films including “Mud,” “Midnight Special” and “Voyage of Time.” She went on to independently produce “Poor Boy,” a feature that premiered at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival, followed by her feature film “To The Stars” which premiered at the 2019 Subance Film Festival. Most recently she produced “What Happens Later,” a romantic comedy directed by Meg Ryan starring Ryan and David Duchovny.
In her position with Pacific Standard Sound, Mann will be tasked with incorporating “her deep understanding of storytelling and film production with the creative ethos of the company.”
“We are thrilled to have Kristin join our team as Head of Production. Her extensive experience with filmmakers and unwavering dedication to quality aligns perfectly with the values we uphold at Pacific Standard Sound,” said Will Files and Craig Henighan, co-founders of Pacific Standard Sound and renowned sound designers.
Pacific Standard Sound’s portfolio of films includes “Deadpool,” “War for the Planet of the Apes,” “Prey,” “Venom,” “Flamin’ Hot,” “Ghosted,” “Halloween,” “Devotion,” “The Adam Project,” “Free Guy” and “The Whale.”
Brendan Fraser Among SAG-AFRTA Actors Receiving Final Awards Before a Potential SAG Strike
Brendan Fraser was one of the last SAG-AFTRA actors to receive an award prior to a potential SAG strike.
Fraser was awarded the Global Actor of the Year award at the Ischia Global Film & Music Festival in Ischia, Italy.
Alongside Fraser, “Purple Hearts” actor and singer Sofia Carson was honored by Trudie Styler.
Songwriter Diane Warren and “Avatar: The Way of Water” composer Simon Franglen.
The Ischia Global fest could potentially be the last industry award ceremony with participation if SAG goes on strike following contract talks that end at midnight PT on July 12.
Andrew Ahn to Receive Outfest Achievement Award (EXCLUSIVE)
Outfest, the non-profit focusing on aiding the LGBTQ community within entertainment, announced it will present Andrew Ahn with its Outfest Achievement Award at the 41st summer festival’s opening night on July 13.
Ahn, known for directing feature films “Fire Island” and “Driveways,” has been recognized for his impactful oeuvre, which has significantly contributed to the LGBTQ community. Ahn has also directed fiction and documentary television for Netflix, FX, HBO Max, CBS and the Sundance Channel.
In addition to announcing Ahn’s upcoming award, the non-profit also announced that on July 22, the Outfest’s Trans, Nonbinary and Intersex Summit will feature the “Outcasts and Iconoclasts: The New Trans Cinema” panel, which will feature Aitch Alberto (“Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe”), author Tre’vell Anderson (“We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film”), Vera Drew (“The People’s Joker”), Zackary Drucker (“The Stroll”), Alice Maio Mackay (“T Blockers”), Sav Rodgers (“Chasing Chasing Amy”) and Georden West (“Playland”).
Tickets are available to purchase for both Outfest’s opening night gala featuring Andrew Ahn and the Trans, Nonbinary and Intersex Summit at outfestla.org.
Roz Hernandez to Host ‘Ghosted! by Roz Hernandez’ Podcast
Exactly Right Media is welcoming its new Roz Hernandez-led podcast “Ghosted! By Roz Hernandez” on July 17, PvNew can exclusively reveal.
Hernandez will have conversations with comedians, celebrity guests and paranormal professionals each week to discuss their own personal experiences with the supernatural. Slated guests include actor Busy Philipps, “My Favorite Murder” podcast co-host Georgia Hardstark, “Scam Goddess” host Laci Mosley and comedian Patton Oswalt.
“Ghosted!” will be available to listeners on all major podcast platforms.
“Roz Hernandez is a vibrant personality in the LA comedy scene. Her wit, vulnerability and wide-eyed exploration of the occult make her a perfect fit for the Exactly Right network,” said Karen Kilgariff, CEO of Exactly Right Media. “Roz allows her guests to dive deep into the eerie and unexplained with humor, curiosity and an open mind. We’re thrilled to share her unique voice and talents with the Exactly Right audience.”
Hernandez is a transgender actor, comedian and paranormal enthusiast. “Ghosted!” has previously welcomed varying guests including Bryan Fuller, Margaret Cho, Nicole Byer and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Jinkx Monsoon.
Blue Fox Entertainment Launches Social Justice Equity Funds Company Blue Fox Impact
Blue Fox Entertainment is launching Blue Fox Impact, a new affiliated company that will partner with organizations that have a mandate to utilize social justice equity impact funds. “These funds will primarily be deployed across Blue Fox’s broad footprint into multiple key areas including film and television development, financing, domestic distribution, international sales and exhibition. Further divisions are expected to be announced later this year,” said Blue Fox Impact in a statement.
The new venture is co-founded by Ralph G. Mendy Henderson, Jr. who will serve as CEO and majority shareholder, and James Huntsman, who will serve as CFO. Lisa Gutberlet will also be joining the team as COO.
“We are thrilled to work with corporations, foundations, endowments, financial institutions, family offices and the leaders in the entertainment media and tech industry that share our commitment to racial economic equality and social justices, post the global protests that erupted after the tragic killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd,” said Henderson. “By combining our collective efforts, we can drive positive social justice change, create sustainable businesses within Black and Brown communities, and foster job growth.”
Pacific Standard Sound Appoints Kristin Mann as Head of Production
Pacific Standard Sound, the sound design company behind “Roma,” “The Batman” and “Stranger Things” has appointed Kristin Mann as the team’s head of production.
“Craig Henighan and Will Files have built a company that is synonymous with top-tier sound design. I am excited to join Pacific Standard Sound to continue working with filmmakers and sound artists in this new capacity and fostering an environment that encourages creativity and innovation,” said Mann.
“We are thrilled to have Kristin join our team as Head of Production. Her extensive experience with filmmakers and unwavering dedication to quality align perfectly with the values we uphold at Pacific Standard Sound,” said co-founders and renowned sound designers, Files and Henighan.
Prior to joining the Pacific Standard Sound, Mann produced “Mud,” “Midnight Special,” “Voyage of Time,” the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival selection, “Poor Boy,” the 2019 Sundance Film Festival selection “To The Stars,” the 2020 Lionsgate feature, “The Quarry” and most recently, “What Happens Later,” directed and starring Meg Ryan.
James Horner’s Score Archive Donated to UCLA
The archive of James Horner, the esteemed late renowned composer, has been donated to UCLA by his wife, Sara Nelson Horner.
A series of personal notes, scores and orchestrations make up Horner’s collection valued at a surplus of $2.2 million. The archive includes pieces from Horner’s first credit as a composer for feature films in 1979 to 2015 when he passed at the age of 61.
Early scores from his compositions for blockbusters including “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (1982), “Aliens” (1986), “Apollo 13” (1995), “Jumanji” (1995), “Braveheart” (1995), “Titanic” (1997), “A Beautiful Mind” (2001) and “Avatar” (2009) are all present in the archive.
“Students and researchers from a wide range of disciplines, not to mention film buffs, can immerse themselves in Horner’s creative process through this one-of-a-kind collection,” said Ginny Steel, UCLA’s Norman and Armena Powell University librarian. “From various versions of ‘My Heart Will Go On,’ composed for Celine Dion, to his countless sketches, orchestrations and handwritten corrections created for other legendary Hollywood productions, including television, this collection truly showcases the depth and breadth of Horner’s remarkable musical career and is an exciting addition to our collections.”
