Former Eastman Kodak innovator will receive Oscar

17 Jun 2002

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will give a Gordon E. Sawyer Award to former Eastman Kodak innovator Roderick T. Ryan.

The award, which will be presented at the Scientific and Technical Awards ceremony 4 March 2000, is an Oscar statuette and is presented to an individual in the motion picture industry whose technological contributions have brought credit to the industry. Ryan will be the 14th recipient of the award since it was established in 1981.

Ryan spent 40 years with the Eastman Kodak Company before retiring in 1986. For many years he served as the regional director of engineering services for Eastman Kodak.

Rich Miller, the awards administration director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said that this award represents a lifetime of achievements for the industry, rather than an innovation related to just one film. In 1981 Ryan was given a Scientific and Engineering Award by the Academy for a film processor specifically designed for visual effects as used by optical houses. Ryan was also honored in 1990 with a Medal of Commendation.

Miller noted that many of Ryan's accomplishments occurred before a shift in philosophy from honoring companies to honoring the people behind the scientific and technical developments. "A lot of awards and things that he may have been a part of, the awards went to Kodak the company."

JN