Oscars

Imocap image courtesy Animation Weekly News

Much like puberty and Ramadan, the movie awards season begins earlier and earlier each year. But this year, the nerds get to fire the opening salvo. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (emphasis on the "Sciences") has released its short list of nominees for the Science and Technical Oscars. The list includes some of the best known names in computer animation and special effects, like Pixar and Industrial Light and Magic, as well as some less famous companies that have been quietly changing the process of filmmaking.

As with every year, a tuxedoed crowd huddles in the dark to honor the luminaries of the film world with Academy Awards. However, this ceremony didn’t feature Hugh Jackman’s dancing or Queen Latifah’s singing. No, this time we’re talking about the Science and Technology Oscars. And even though the SciTech Oscars only got a brief mention during Sunday’s larger ceremony, Popsci.com dives deep into the achievement of the scientists who make the movies possible.