Not since the introduction of sound in 1926 has the industry faced such monumental technology-driven changes. Motion picture production, post-production and exhibition are either moving, or have moved, away from 100-year-old film technology to digital tools and methods. With such a wholesale conversion rises the need to ensure that technology enhances rather than dominates the art form.

Upholding the standards set by the Academy’s founding members, the mission of the Science and Technology Council is:

• To advance the science of motion pictures and foster cooperation for technological progress in support of the art
• To sponsor publications and foster educational activities that facilitate understanding of historical and new developments both within the industry and for the wider public audience
• To preserve the history of the science and technology of motion pictures
• To provide a forum and common meeting ground for the exchange of information and to promote cooperation among divergent technological interests, with the objective of increasing the quality of the theatrical motion picture experience

History of the Council

The Academy has engaged in technical activities since its founding in 1927, primarily through cooperative research projects, which at the time included the standardization of screen illumination and film gate apertures, and coordination of release prints to theaters.

In 1929, the Academy formed the Producers-Technicians Joint Committee to oversee such activities as well as to establish a school to teach the theory and technique of sound recording and reproduction.

In 1930, the Joint Committee merged with the Association of Motion Picture Producers Technical Bureau, which was performing a similar function.

In 1932, the group reorganized into the Research Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. By 1938, there were 36 technical committees addressing issues in the areas of sound recording and reproduction, projection, lighting, film preservation and cinematography. During World War II, the Research Council conducted a training course for Signal Corps officers, ran schools for Signal Corps and Marine Corps motion picture and still cameramen, and assigned training film projects to the studios.

The activities of the Research Council were transferred back to the Association of Motion Picture Producers in 1947, and the organization was renamed The Motion Picture Research Center, which continued to function at various levels of activity until 1976.

From 1989 through 1998, the Technology Council of the Motion Picture-Television Industry operated as an independent entity to develop educational programs, encourage development of new products, and perform independent investigations and new product development through cooperative industry effort.

In 2003 the Academy Board of Governors created the Academy's Science and Technology Council in response to the major technological developments taking place in the motion picture industry.  Continuing a longstanding precedent of providing an industry-wide center for motion picture technology history, education and advancement, the Science and Technology Council reestablished the Academy’s role as advocate for technology in support of the art.