Arts and Sciences. The Academy's Science and Technology committee honored Widmer for helping develop methods for advancing the art of storytelling on film: Most notable: processes that make it seem as if actors are in faraway locations when in fact they are working on sound stages in Hollywood or elsewhere. Arthur Widmer died of cancer in Hollywood, aged 91. His sister Babara Dinwoodie was a local artist in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Quotations "Compositing technology became key to creating magical illusions in movies because you could now shoot shots that couldn't be shot or wouldn't be shot because they were too expensive," Arthur Widmer, 2001 interview from his home in Hollywood "Art's pioneering work has had a profound impact on the film industry. Many of the films we hold dear would not have been possible without his contributions to image compositing technology." Richard Edlund of the Academy's Scientific and Technical Awards Committee when the Special Award Oscar award was announced in 2005 "In my day, being digitally adept meant you could play the piccolo. Your award to me seems a little out of place because, with it, you have honoured analogue achievements made in an era devoid of acronyms." Arthur Widmer, in his acceptance speech of his Academy Special Award. References External links Democrat and Chronicle article highlighting Widmer's early work at Kodak Press Release for Special Award from the OSCAR's council Associated Press via Yahoo - announcement of death San Jose Mercury News, "Special effects pioneer Arthur Widmer dies at 92" June 4 2004 1914 births 2006 deaths Recipients of the Academy Award of Commendation 20th-century American inventors Manhattan Project people Kodak people People from Rochester, New York People from Greater Los Angeles People from Washington, D.C. Special effects people Deaths from cancer in California University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts alumni