John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation

	Richard Edlund received the John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation in appreciation for his service and dedication to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Scientific and Technical Awards Ceremony on February 10, 2007, in Beverly Hills, California.

Beverly Hills, CA — Richard Edlund, a visual effects expert who won Oscars® for his work on “Star Wars,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Return of the Jedi,” has been voted the John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The Bonner medallion was presented at the Scientific and Technical Awards Dinner on Saturday, February 10, at the Regent Beverly Wilshire.

Named in honor of the late director of special projects at Warner Hollywood Studios, the John A. Bonner Medal is awarded for “outstanding service and dedication in upholding the high standards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.”

“Besides Richard’s groundbreaking visual effects work, which has given moviegoers some of the most memorable scenes on the big screen,” said Academy President Sid Ganis, “he’s been central to the Academy’s work in the scientific and technical areas for over a quarter century, including serving as one of the first Visual Effects Branch governors on the Board.”

In 1983 Edlund founded Boss Film Studios and began work on “Ghostbusters.” Through 1997, the studio produced visual effects for more than 30 motion pictures, including “2010,” “Die Hard,” “Ghost,” “Poltergeist II: The Other Side,” “Cliffhanger,” “Batman Returns,” “Alien 3,” “Species,” “Multiplicity” and “Air Force One.”

Edlund has also earned six additional Academy Award® nominations and three Scientific and Engineering Awards. He also won an Emmy® Award for visual effects for the TV series “Battlestar Galactica.”

An active member of the Academy since 1979, Edlund served on the Academy’s Board of Governors from 1995 to 2006, and chaired both the Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee and the Scientific and Technical Awards Committee from 2001 to 2006.

He continues to serve on the Academy’s Science and Technology Council and on its Museum Committee.

Segments of the Scientific and Technical Awards presentation will be featured on the ABC Television Network telecast of the 79th Academy Awards® on Sunday, February 25, 2007.

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12/20/2006 Academy to Honor Richard Edlund with Bonner Medal