The Academy’s Science and Technology Council invites you to join us in June for two unique programs dedicated to the science and technology of motion picture sound.

June 9th - Milestones of Motion Picture Sound
We will embark on an extraordinary journey pinpointing the milestones of motion picture sound development with noted Academy members and industry experts. The evening will illustrate sound progression from the earliest sound experimentstoward the full integration of sound, onward to the technological developments of the 1950s and into the most recent advancements in the industry. The program will be hosted by David Gray of Doly Labs, who earned the Academy's John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation in 1998. Don Hall, former Academy Governor, and Ioan Allen, who has earned from the Academy three Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards, including an Oscar statuette, will lead this celebration through more than a century of sound innovation.

June 23rd - Microphones and Loudspeakers
This focused dialogue on specific sound technologies, the microphone and the loudspeaker, will literally discuss the “beginning” and the “end” processes of sound in motion pictures and their continued scientific advancement. The discussions will be moderated by former Academy governor and Bonner Medal recipient Douglas Greenfield. John Eargle, Academy Scientific and Technical Award recipient, will discuss the progressive changes of the microphone and the elements of motion picture sound capture. Mark Gander, of JBL Professional will share his expertise on the technology behind the loudspeaker and the science central to the experience of motion picture theatre exhibition.

Join us as these renowned industry experts discuss in depth how these innovations continue to enhance the motion picture experience. As Al Jolson said in The Jazz Singer, “You ain’t heard nothing yet!”

Both evenings will be replete with unique tracks, photographic examples and one-of-a-kind film clips of the different eras’ best illustrations of sound capture, creation, integration and presentation. Also, on display in the Linwood Dunn Theater’s lobby June 4th through July 17th will be “Can You Hear Me Now? Microphones and the Movies,” an exhibition of microphone technology that helped to transform the “silent” film of the early motion picture industry. This exhibition has been made possible with materials generously provided by the University of Southern California, School of Cinema - Television, Warner Bros. Archive, Mayhew & Company, Location Sound Corp., History For Hire, The Mole Richardson Company and the Academy’s own collections.