Oscar nomination marks 15 straight years for alumni

Story by San Francisco State News
Written by Jonathan Morales

SF State alumni continue to make their presence felt on the red carpet.

Christopher Boyes (B.A. '75 photo left) has received an Oscar nomination for Best Sound Mixing for his work on "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," marking the 15th year in a row that SF State alumni have been nominated for Academy Awards. The nomination is Boyes' 11th overall.

Boyes' career has included sound work on some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters. He has won an Academy Award four times: Best Sound Effects Editing, 1998, "Titanic;" Best Sound Editing, 2003, "Pearl Harbor;" Best Sound Mixing, 2003, "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King;" and Best Sound Mixing, 2006, "King Kong." He has also been nominated for his work on "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," "Iron Man" and "Avatar."

Daniel Bernardi, professor and chair of SF State's Department of Cinema, said it is rewarding to see alumni recognized for their work.

"We have an outstanding faculty, many of them working filmmakers, who teach film theory and history as well as the practical skills necessary for students to be successful once they begin their careers," Bernardi said. "We encourage students to think critically and take creative risks. It's not surprising, though still wonderful, to see our graduates continue to succeed and be acknowledged by their peers."

SF State alumni have received multiple Oscar nominations and wins over the past two decades. Past Academy Award winners include: Ethan Van Der Ryn (B.A. '85), Best Sound Editing for "King Kong" in 2006 and "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" in 2003; Gloria Borders (B.A. '78), Best Sound Effects Editing for "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" in 1991; Steve Zaillian (B.A. '75), Best Adapted Screenplay in 1994 for "Schindler's List;" and Shawn Murphy (B.A. '68), Best Sound Editing for "Jurassic Park" in 1993.

SF State nominees include Annette Bening (B.A., '85), whose most recent of four Oscar nods came in 2011 for "The Kids are All Right;" and David Gropman, nominated for Best Production Design last year for "Life of Pi" and for Best Art Decoration-Set Decoration in 2000 for "The Cider House Rules."