David A. Grafton to get Gordon A. Sawyer Oscar.

Jan 02, 2008 by Ian Evans

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted the Gordon E. Sawyer Award to David A. Grafton, a pioneering designer of lenses for optical effects printers.

The award will be presented to Grafton at the Scientific and Technical Awards Dinner on Saturday, February 9, 2008, at The Beverly Wilshire.

“David’s innovative designs have enabled audiences to see the ‘impossible’ on movie screens, and his work has dramatically improved the quality of visual effects in the motion picture industry,” said Academy President Sid Ganis.

Some of the films to benefit from his expertise include Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Blade Runner.

Grafton has previously received two Scientific and Engineering Academy Awards®: in 1980 for the optical design of a telecentric anamorphic lens for motion picture optical effects printers; and in 1986 as part of the team responsible for the design and development of the Zoom Aerial 65mm Optical Printer.

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