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CNN Live At Daybreak

Academy Awards Go For Technical Marvels As Well

Aired March 21, 2002 - 05:57   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: You know, the Academy Awards go to more than just the celebrated actors in Hollywood. The academy has a separate awards ceremony for the technical wizards, the people who invent all of that magic and excitement you see on the silver screen.

Our Anne Kellan profiles two of this year's winners.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNE KELLAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The next hair- raising chase scene you watch, think Mic Rodgers and Matt Sweeney. They invented the Mic Rig, a car body hauled around on what looks like a tow truck. They won an Academy Award for it.

MIC RODGERS, INVENTOR MIC RIG: Pretty maneuverable, and it's pretty fast. And it's a real simple idea.

KELLAN: Used in the movie "Fast and the Furious," the Mic Rig puts actors in the middle of chase scenes. The actors don't drive, the stunt drivers do. They're behind the wheel of this converted truck. Before the Mic Rig, most actors sat in front of a fake background and pretended they were screeching around turns. Winning the award means a lot.

MATT SWEENEY, INVENTOR, MIC RIG: It's a thrill. I mean, I didn't really think about it too much until I got there, until I walked up and you get your, you know, award and you turn around and you see everyone is staring at you in tuxedos. That's when I kind of froze.

KELLAN: Theirs is one of a number of technologies honored by the academy. Don't forget it's motion pictures arts and sciences.

Another winner in the crowd this year, Pete Romano. His award- winning invention was used in the movie "Message in a Bottle." Romano, who started his career as a Navy photographer, developed a remote underwater camera.

PETE ROMANO, INVENTOR: So in dangerous situations, you can put the equipment there and not have to worry about it. It mounts on to our remote head right here. Inside is the camera lens, lens controls, film magazine and a controller.

KELLAN: Romano's Remote Aquacam also added drama in the movie "Pearl Harbor." You don't see him in the final cut, but this is how he spent many workdays during the filming...

ROMANO: I'm in full sailor garb and my camera is shrouded in tarps.

KELLAN: Getting recognized for his contribution means a lot.

ROMANO: Well that was sort of a high watermark in my career, as I jokingly say. It is a very proud moment.

KELLAN: It allows innovators, who have made movies what they are today, come out from behind the curtain and take a bow.

Anne Kellan, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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