Two BU animation graduates are to be honoured by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for their innovative contributions to film.

Josh Bainbridge and Nathan Walster, who both graduated from the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA) and who now work for Framestore, have been named among 27 winners of the Academy’s annual Scientific and Technical (Sci-Tech) Awards.

The awards recognise the pairs’ work to devise and develop Framestore’s proprietary layered shading system, which enables the company’s artists to generate realistic surfaces for characters, vehicles, and CG elements. The system was first used during Framestore’s work on Guardians of the Galaxy, and has since helped to realise films such as Paddington, Barbie, Superman, Wicked as well as Academy Award-nominated work on F1 and the BAFTA-nominated How to Train Your Dragon.

Josh, who graduated from BU’s MSc in Computer Animation and Visual Effects in 2015, shared the news on LinkedIn by saying: “Incredibly honoured to be receiving an Academy Award alongside Nathan, for our work on layered materials and shading technology at Framestore. Fifteen years in the making, to see this work recognised with a Scientific and Technical Award means so much. This technology was shaped by so many talented teams and individuals – from the brilliant researchers publishing papers to the remarkable technical and creative teams here at Framestore, who together bring it to life on the big screen.”

The Academy Sci-Tech Awards will be presented to recipients from some of the biggest names in animation at a ceremony on April 28 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

Announcing the winners, Darin Grant and Rachel Rose, co-chairs of the Academy’s Scientific and Technical Awards Committee, said: “Whether through enhancing the safety of practical effects with lead-free bullet hits or pushing the limits of stop-motion animation and sound restoration, these technologies are now fundamental to the craft. We are honoured to recognise the brilliant minds behind these tools, which continue to elevate the moviegoing experience.”

Sofronis Efstathiou, Principal Lecturer at BU’s National Centre for Computer Animation, said: “Once again, it is humbling to see our talented graduates named among the leading figures in animation and visual effects today. This award not only recognises talent, but also innovation and a contribution that goes beyond a single movie. A huge congratulations to both Josh and Nathan for this achievement.”

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