Dolbyís Allen And Bransbury To Receive Academy Commendation

19-Jan-01

DolbyÆ Laboratoriesí Ioan Allen and Robin Bransbury, along with Mark Harrah of the Walt Disney Co., will be presented an Award Of Commendation by the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences for their work as creators of the Trailer Audio Standards Associationís (TASAís) Trailer Loudness Standard. The award ceremony is scheduled for March 3, 2001, at the organizationís Scientific And Technical Awards Presentation Dinner.The Award Of Commendation (a plaque) will be given to Messrs. Allen, Bransbury and Harrah for the concept, design and implementation of the TASA Trailer Loudness Standard. ""The discrepancy between trailer and feature sound levels has been evident for some time. The TASA program is an extraordinary accomplishment in that the diverse members reached a consensus that a means to determine and limit maximum loudness levels was necessary, "" said Academy Sound Branch Governor Douglas Greenfield. ""The work of the three men not only provides a valuable service to the motion picture industry, but their commitment and foresight has benefited the community at large as well.""The maximum level established (86dB LEQ(m)) is adhered to by all the major studios and has the endorsement of the Motion Picture Association Of America and the National Association Of Theater Owners.In 1997, cinema sound engineers, exhibitors and the major studios formed the Trailer Audio Standards Association to develop a trailer volume standard. Subsequently, the Trailer Loudness Standard has become the means by which the film community and audiences are assured a better sound balance between trailers and feature presentations. The Dolby Model 737 Soundtrack Loudness Meter, introduced at the Dolby Tech Symposium at the Cannes Film Festival in 1998, was specifically developed to provide the LEQ(m) reading, an integral part of the TASA standard.The technical paper on which this work was based is ""Are Movies Too Loud,"" published in the SMPTE Journal, January 1998. Ioan Allen was given the 1999 SMPTE Journal Award based on this paper.