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Westlake man to get Academy Award
Jerry Tessendorf specializes in computer effects
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More from Conejo ValleyA Westlake Village man will receive a special Academy Award Saturday for behind-the-scenes achievements in motion picture special effects.
Jerry Tessendorf will pick up the technical achievement award during a black-tie ceremony at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel honoring scientific and technical achievements. The host is the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
The Saturday night awards differ from the star-studded Oscar awards, also hosted by the academy.
For the awards for scientific and technical achievements, applications are solicited and winners are disclosed in advance.
"I am excited," Tessendorf said Wednesday. "It will be nice."
Saturday night's achievers, who will be acknowledged with certificates, have demonstrated a proven record of contributing significant value to the process of making a motion picture, according to the academy.
Tessendorf, 48, works at effects studio Rhythm & Hues in Playa del Rey. He will share the honor with three colleagues for their achievements in computer fluid dynamics technology.
"This system allows artists to create realistic animation of liquids and gases, using novel simulation techniques for accuracy and speed," according to a statement from the academy.
A principal graphics scientist, Tessendorf helps create new graphics tools for visual effects.
For the recently released "Golden Compass," Tessendorf said the team worked to develop little animals that turn into puffs of smoke.
His years of computer effects work can be seen in many films, among them "Titanic," "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," "Superman Returns" and "Happy Feet."
His filmography lists posts as software engineer, artist, research scientist, technical supervisor, and even "water and cloud R&D."
He earned a doctoral degree in theoretical physics from Brown University and eventually gravitated into special effects, where software development and knowledge of physics and math suited his expertise.
On Saturday night, Tessendorf will escort his wife of 28 years, Mary.
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