
Paul Debevec
Director of Research, Netflix
Paul is Director of Research at Netflix. Previously, he was a Senior Staff Scientist in Google Research and an Adjunct Research Professor at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies. Debevec’s research in photogrammetry, image-based modeling and rendering, high dynamic range photography, image-based lighting, appearance acquisition, facial scanning, and photoreal digital actors has been recognized with ACM SIGGRAPH’s first Significant New Researcher Award in 2001, a Scientific and Engineering Academy Award in 2010, the SMPTE Progress Medal in 2017, and a second Technical Academy Award in 2019. In 2002, he originated the technique of surrounding actors with real-world image-based LED lighting for virtual production. Techniques from his have been used to create key visual effects sequences in The Matrix, Spider-Man 2, Benjamin Button, Avatar, Furious 7, Blade Runner: 2049, The Irishman, Gemini Man, and to create a 3D Portrait of US President Barack Obama. More info at: www.debevec.org.