Workflow Systems Medal

2022
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Science and Technology Council

2021
Moxion

In recognition of their innovative and quality approach to creative, collaborative workflows. Moxion pioneered the concept of “Immediates,” the ability to instantly view the result of work on set, which revolutionized the “dailies” process. Moxion’s ability to deliver near-real-time access to production footage enables creative and technical teams to make faster and more informed decisions, troubleshoot issues, and easily bring remote collaborators into the production process. This capability was vital during the 2020 global pandemic. Moxion’s foresight and commitment to efficiency, quality, and the creative process have raised the bar for these critical workflows.

2020
Bruce Leak

In recognition of his pioneering leadership role that led to the development of the Quick Time extensible multimedia framework, the first mass-market, cross-platform digital video format for personal computers. QuickTime enabled a revolution that allowed users to digitize, compress, and playback media on personal computers for the first time. QuickTime continues to be relevant not only for media professionals, but also in internet streaming and formats used on mobile devices. Bruce’s passionate curiosity in emerging technologies continues to cultivate technological advances today.

2019
Anne Aaron

In recognition of her leadership, research, and pioneering work in the field of cloud-based video coding for streaming. Her innovative technology has transformed and optimized the video encoding technique for pushing the limits of video distribution. Dr. Aaron’s efforts to enhance video quality and reduce bandwidth consumption pave the way for new methods and improved access to video consumption across many consumer devices, particularly in areas and individuals using cellular connections to access streaming systems.

2018
Fabrice Bellard

In recognition of his foundational and innovative work in creating Fast Forward Motion Picture Experts Group (FFmpeg), one of the most successful open-source media projects to date and an essential video and audio learning tool. The creation of FFmpeg provides a working reference architecture for digital video processing and format conversion, a critical component of information technology (IT)-based workflows. Bellard's work has enabled a vast number of viewers to access media on a global scale in consumer products and has enabled countless IT-based digital video productions.

2017
Randy Ubillos

In recognition of his role in establishing the foundation of accessible and affordable digital nonlinear editing software that fundamentally shaped the industry landscape and changed the way visual stories are created and told. Ubillos’ revolutionary work with creating and designing lower-cost editing software such as Final Cut Pro® and Adobe® Premiere® shifted the film and television industry toward a more inclusive future, giving storytellers of diverse backgrounds and experience levels the ability to tell their stories and rise as filmmakers, technicians, engineers, and key players in every facet of media and entertainment. His work significantly enhanced and transformed the world of postproduction, popularizing and commoditizing file-based workflows while removing significant barriers to the creative editing process for millions of users worldwide.

2016
Thomas G. Edwards

In recognition of his fundamental research, implementation, and direction in the advancement of live, broadcast-quality, IT-based workflows, and also his leadership in developing best practices and standards for improving these workflows. As an early advocate of using commercial “off-the-shelf” IT equipment in the broadcast environment, Edwards has actively participated in the Joint Task Force for Networked Media (JT-NM), the Video Services Forum (VSF), the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), and SMPTE, breaking down barriers within internet protocol (IP) to ensure the viability and advancement of IP workflows within broadcast environments. His efforts and direction continue to influence the design of current and future facilities and the workflows within.

2015
Annie Chang

In recognition of her research, implementation and participation in the generation of new compression and file based technology standards, including early DVD authoring and more recently the Interoperable Master Format (IMF). She has shown huge commitment and leadership within the IMF initiative to improve the post-production and mastering pipelines through new file-based workflows and standards efforts.  Her contributions to the standards process have been critical to the development and successful uptake of IMF, which simplifies post-production processes.

2014
Philip Tudor

For his foundational contributions to professional media file formats and for early implementations of file based workflows.  Tudor worked tirelessly in numerous SMPTE committees, and in the Advanced Media Workflow Association, focusing on developing Standards and specifications for file-based essence and metadata interchange.  His pioneering work on tapeless audio and video capture, Material eXchange Format (MXF), and the Advanced Authoring Format (AAF) led to the implementation of workflows at the BBC.  Phil continues file based workflow innovation with the Digital Production Partnership (DPP) and IP Studio, which focuses on file based workflows for live television production within an IP environment.  

2013
John Anthony Footen

In recognition of pioneering the introduction of workflow-improving approaches such as Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) into the media industry, and leadership in both the Standards and Education pillars of the SMPTE mission.  John has been very active in the area of workflow improvement for many years now.  He has been a leader in AMWA and EBU’s FIMS effort, chairs SMPTE’s 34CS technology committee, has been active in workflow-related activities within such as BXF, and is an industry leader in the application of SOA to media.  He has been a regular speaker and moderator at SMPTE conferences, and an author on service oriented architecture.  John is also a leader in the development of IT based systems and infrastructures into the production process.

2012
Brad Gilmer

The 2012 Workflow Systems Medal is awarded to Brad Gilmer, Executive Director of the Advanced Media Workflow Association, Consultant, and prolific writer and speaker for his leadership in file based workflow topics. Gilmer’s early work on file based workflow while at Turner Entertainment became a model for many broadcasters to follow. Mr. Gilmer’s leadership of the AMWA has moved MXF implementation to the forefront of modern facilities, and begun a process that will complete the important work necessary to implement SOA in widespread use through the joint work AMWA has begun with the EBU on FIMS.