Bucknell alumnus wins visual effects Oscar
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell University computer science alumnus Bill Westenhofer '90 took home an Academy Award Sunday night for best visual effects on "The Golden Compass," an elaborate fantasy film based on a series of popular novels.
Westenhofer, who served as the visual effects supervisor on the film, accepted his Oscar during the national telecast along with his team of Michael Fink, Ben Morris and Trevor Wood.
"And to my family, (effects team) Rhythm & Hues, Sue Rowe out there watching this, thank you," Westenhofer said in accepting his Oscar.
Competition
The film's competition in the visual effects category included "The Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and "Transformers."
An animator who also supervised visual effects for "Babe: Pig in the City," Westenhofer was nominated previously for an Oscar in 2005 for his work on "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe," on which he also served as visual effects supervisor.
Westenhofer has also worked on "Elf," "Stuart Little," "Men in Black II" and numerous other films.
Contact: Office of Communications
Posted Feb. 25, 2008
