Petro Vlahos
Petro Vlahos | |
|---|---|
University of California at Berkeley | |
| Occupation | Special effects engineer |
Petro Vlahos (
Early life
Vlahos was born in
Hollywood career
The technology used today as a way of combining actors with background footage still derives from the techniques he developed. Vlahos was not the first to use the blue-screen technology — it was invented by Larry Butler for the 1940 filming of
Along with his son, Paul Vlahos, he founded the Ultimatte Corporation
When sci-fi and fantasy films became dominant at the box office, Vlahos’ techniques became dominant in filmmaking, essential to movies such as the Star Wars trilogy. Refinements of his pioneering technique were used to make many of the blockbuster films of the 1990s, notably Titanic (1997), in which dangerous, expensive or difficult to film scenes were finally possible.
In all, Petro Vlahos held more than 35 patents for film-related gadgetry.
Accolades
A member of the Academy’s original Motion Picture Research Council, he was honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences many times, starting with a Scientific and Technical Award in 1960 for a camera flicker indicating device.
He won his first Oscar in 1964 for the "conception and perfection of techniques for color traveling matte composite cinematography."[6]
In 1978, Petro won an
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave him a Medal of Commendation in 1992. In 1993 he was the recipient of the Gordon E. Sawyer Award, his second Oscar.[6]
In 1995, he shared a third Oscar (Academy Scientific and Technical Award)[8] with his son, Paul, for the blue-screen advances made by Ultimatte Corporation.
References
- ^ a b Giardina, Carolyn (February 13, 2013). "Visual Effects Innovator Petro Vlahos Dies at 96". Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Kelion, Leo (February 14, 2013). "Blue and green-screen effects pioneer Petro Vlahos dies". BBC News. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ "The Greeks of Hollywood". gabbyawards.com. March 25, 2013. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013.
- ^ "Petro Vlahos". The Daily Telegraph. London. February 20, 2013.
- Toledo Blade. March 28, 1995. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- ^ a b "A Conversation with Petro Vlahos". Oscars.org. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. July 29, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- ^ Giardina, Carolyn (February 13, 2013). "Visual Effects Innovator Petro Vlahos Dies at 96". The Hollywood Reporter.
- Toledo Blade. January 6, 1994. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
External links
- Video interview with Petro Vlahos in 2009 from Createasphere Pro Coalitions