Petro Vlahos, a Hollywood special effects pioneer who developed the color-difference blue screen process for the Motion Picture Research Council, founded Ultimatte Corporation, of Chatsworth, California, in 1976. His goal was to invent a better traveling matte system for motion pictures and he succeeded admirably -- he won his first Oscar® in 1964 for Blue Screen Compositing Technology. The first Ultimatte units were analog "black boxes" which evolved into the advanced, real-time digital hardware and the computer software products produced by the company today. In 1978, Petro won an Emmy award for Ultimatte Compositing Technology, followed by the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1994. In 1995, Ultimatte's first software product was also awarded an Oscar. Petro's original concepts and innovations have been enhanced and expanded over the years and today Ultimatte users are able to create completely seamless composites which preserve fine details such as hair, smoke, mist, motion blur and shadows while automatically suppressing blue spill from the foreground subject. The total realism achieved allows for the creation of scenes that would otherwise be too dangerous, impossible and impractical.  Scientific or Technical Awards (Class III) 1960: For a camera flicker indicating device. (w. Arthur Holcomb, both of Columbia Studio Camera Dept.)  Scientific or Technical Awards (Class I) 1964: For the conception and perfections of techniques for Color Traveling Matte Composite Cinematography. (w. Wadsworth E. Pohl & Ub Iwerks) (Winners presented Statuettes.)  Scientific or Technical Awards (Award of Commendation) 1992: In appreciation for outstanding service and dedication in upholding the high standards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. (Winner presented a Statuette.)  Gordon E. Sawyer Award 1993: For technical contributions that have brought credit to the motion picture industry.  Scientific or Technical Awards (Academy Award of Merit) 1994: For the conception and development of the Ultimatte Electronic Blue Screen Compositing Process. (w. Paul Vlahos) (Winners presented Statuettes.) 3 Scientific/Technical Awards, 2 Honorary Awards