Corey P. Carbonara to Receive SMPTE’s 2024 Presidential Proclamation

Award recognizes Dr. Carbonara’s excellence in mentorship, his continuing efforts to challenge the film and TV industries to move into new frontiers of technological innovation

October 9, 2024
Baylor film and digital media professors Michael Korpi and Corey Carbonara

(Right) Corey P. Carbonara, Ph.D., along with his Film & Digital Media colleague Michael Korpi, Ph.D., (left) will be honored with SMPTE's 2024 Presidential Proclamation during an awards gala Oct. 24 in Hollywood. (Baylor University)

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Baylor University’s Corey P. Carbonara, Ph.D., professor of film and digital media, Master Teacher and an innovator in advancing new frontiers in media production technology, has been selected as one of seven recipients of the 2024 Presidential Proclamation from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). Established in 1982, the award recognizes individuals of established and outstanding status and reputation in the motion picture and television industries worldwide.

The SMPTE honor recognizes Carbonara for his thought leadership and continuing efforts to challenge the industry to do more with technology, from his early work in high-definition cinema to today’s research on a revolutionary color management system for digital screens. In addition, the award notes Carbonara’s service as an excellent advocate and mentor for many people at various stages of their careers. He will receive the proclamation Oct. 24 in Hollywood during SMPTE’s annual Awards Gala.

Corey P. Carbonara, Ph.D., professor of film and digital media
Corey P. Carbonara, Ph.D., professor of film and digital media at Baylor University

“Many outstanding members of the Society have contributed so much to advance technology within our industry that to be recognized in this way is humbling and an honor beyond my imagination,” Carbonara said. “This honor truly needs to be shared with my colleagues at Baylor University and the Department of Film & Digital Media. In particular, I must thank my friend and colleague, Dr. Michael Korpi, for his inspiration and leadership in solidifying our role with SMPTE and working together with me to challenge the industry to move into new frontiers of technology innovation for our field bringing our students with us every step of the way. I also must thank my Chair of Film of Digital Media, Professor Chris Hansen, for all of his support and encouragement.”

Leading edge of technology

For decades, Carbonara and his Baylor film and digital media colleagues, such as Korpi, have been on the leading edge of new technologies, ranging from the earliest integration of HD workflows into their curriculum to non-linear editing of movies on the desktop to Gigabit Ethernet and their latest work with 6P Color Inc. on a new wideband color innovation called Full Color Range that can accurately transport and display all the vivid colors humans can perceive.

Listen to Corey Carbonara and Michael Korpi on the Baylor Connections podcast as they discuss their research on an innovative color imaging system that expands the gamut of colors on digital screens. 

However, mentorship through the organization has been just as impactful on Carbonara. Associated with SMPTE for 50 years, he first became a student member while majoring in Broadcasting and Film at the University of Iowa, maintained his association during his career with Columbia Pictures/Editel Chicago and Sony and established Baylor’s SMPTE student chapter in 1984, a year after he started with the University in 1983. His mentors and colleagues from throughout his association with SMPTE are numerous.

“As I added education to my vocation, I never forgot the importance of mentorship,” Carbonara said. “SMPTE is an essential organization that has brought so much technological innovation not only to our industry but to the world at large. Our students have benefited so greatly from their alignment with SMPTE through our student chapter and their full membership as professionals. Our alumni are in various positions in the industry, including heading up all the motion imaging from space for NASA manned space flights, working on many notable series and films in Hollywood and even having had worked at SMPTE itself, heading up the Rapid Industry Solutions initiative.”

The Presidential Proclamation is among several honors Carbonara has received from SMPTE. He, along with Korpi, are SMPTE Fellows for their outstanding rank among engineers or executives in the motion-picture, television or related industries. In 2020, Carbonara was honored with SMPTE’s Excellence in Education Medal, recognizing his passion for teaching innovative courses on the art and craft of telling stories while integrating new technological approaches.

Simply put, Carbonara’s impact on SMPTE and the industry looms large, now recognized by the SMPTE’s Presidential Proclamation.

“This is incredibly significant. Industry organizations like SMPTE don’t often recognize people from academia, but that just speaks to Dr. Carbonara’s incredible contributions to the film and television industries over his distinguished career,” said Chris Hansen, M.F.A., professor and chair of film and digital media at Baylor. “It’s tremendously impactful for the profile of the Department of Film & Digital Media to have someone who has been the recipient of an award like this on our faculty. When people see the SMPTE Presidential Proclamation list, they’re always going to see Corey Carbonara’s name, and they’re always going to see that he was a part of Baylor University and the Department of Film & Digital Media.”

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.

ABOUT SMPTE

SMPTE is a global society of more than 5,000 diverse and engaged members, including creative professionals, media technologists, and engineers. Members transform the industry through Standards Technology Committees with 800 engineering standards and guidelines developed to advance global interoperability of hardware and software; advance their careers through our vast educational offerings; and have access to our invaluable network of mentors and colleagues via local and global industry events. Collaboration leads to innovation, and SMPTE is proud to provide members a space to do both. From the early days of entertainment technology to the latest digital media breakthroughs, the brightest minds in the industry have found their community in SMPTE.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University’s largest academic division, consisting of 25 academic departments in the sciences, humanities, fine arts and social sciences, as well as 11 academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. The College’s undergraduate Unified Core Curriculum, which routinely receives top grades in national assessments, emphasizes a liberal education characterized by critical thinking, communication, civic engagement and Christian commitment. Arts & Sciences faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit the College of Arts & Sciences website.