Holman, who is Professor of Film Sound in the School of Cinema-Television, has been an IMSC key investigator since the beginning of the Center in 1996. His research at IMSC's Immersive Audio lab includes work on the 10.2-channel sound system, the next generation of surround sound. He heads TMH Corporation, an IMSC partner, which is pursuing commercialization of the 10.2-channel system.
Holman developed the Lucasfilm THX Sound System® during the 15 years he was at Lucasfilm, Ltd. He is the primary developer and patent holder of the system, which is also known as Tomlinson Holman's eXperiment (hence the "THX"). At Lucasfilm, he spearheaded the conception, design, development and implementation of the technical infrastructure for George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch and the Skywalker Sound post-production facility.
For more than 20 years, Holman has been involved in research in cinema sound systems, including a two-week stint in a multiplex theater in Arkansas during his 2000 sabbatical, which resulted in new findings affecting sound systems and acoustics of the latest, stadium-seating theater designs. He is founding editor of Surround Professional magazine, and author of Sound for Film and Television and 5.1 Surround Sound Up and Running.
He is an honorary member of the Cinema Audio Society and the Motion Picture Sound Editors group. He is a fellow of the Audio Engineering Society, the British Kinematograph Sound and Television Society and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. He is a member of the Acoustical Society of America and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Technical Achievement Awards (Certificate) 2001: For the research and systems integration resulting in the improvement of motion picture loudspeaker systems.
1 Scientific/Technical Award