FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10 March 2009
For further information:
Brian Ban
+1.773.454.7423 cell
media@siggraph.org

Academy Award® Winner Randy Thom Selected as a SIGGRAPH Keynote Speaker

Randy Thom. Photo courtesy of ILM.

(Chicago, IL) - ACM SIGGRAPH announces the selection of Randy Thom, a pioneer in sound and a two-time Academy Award® winner, to give a keynote presentation at SIGGRAPH 2009, the 36th International Conference and Exhibition for Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques.

Since 1975, Thom has worked in a wide variety of creative capacities in more than 75 films including some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters such as "Bolt", "Forrest Gump", "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", "Ratatouille", "War of the Worlds", and "Wild at Heart." Thom began working for Lucasfilm in 1979 as a sound designer and re-recording mixer and is currently the Director of Sound Design at Skywalker Sound.

"SIGGRAPH has long emphasized the world's best visual and interactive content, and SIGGRAPH 2009 is adding a special focus on integrating audio," stated Ronen Barzel, SIGGRAPH 2009 Conference Chair. "Randy Thom is the world's leading advocate and practitioner in the art of integrating sound with visuals in storytelling. His vision is a perfect fit as SIGGRAPH extends its focus into this area."

He received two Academy Awards® for Best Sound in "The Right Stuff" and Best Achievement in Sound Editing for "The Incredibles." In all, Thom has shared 14 Academy Award® nominations, and has worked with some of today's leading directors and producers.

SIGGRAPH keynote speakers represent a variety of prominent industry luminaries and technology experts, who present on different aspects of the multi-dimensional computer graphics and interactive techniques.

For detailed information on the SIGGRAPH 2009 dynamically evolving program or to download a copy of the SIGGRAPH 2009 Preview Video visit www.siggraph.org/s2009.

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About SIGGRAPH
SIGGRAPH 2009 will bring an anticipated 20,000 computer graphics and interactive technology professionals from six continents to New Orleans, Louisiana, USA for the industry's most respected technical and creative programs focusing on research, science, art, animation, music, gaming, interactivity, education, and the web from Monday, 3 August through Friday, 7 August 2009 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. SIGGRAPH 2009 includes a three-day exhibition of products and services from the computer graphics and interactive marketplace from 4-6 August 2009. More than 200 international exhibiting companies are expected. More details

About ACM
ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery www.acm.org, is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking.