From WENN.com

Simon Clutterbuck, James Jacobs and Dr. Richard Dorling picked up their trophy at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Awards on Saturday (09Feb13) for inventing a technique to bring computer-generated characters to life.

Their advancement was used in The Hobbit to animate Gollum, who was voiced and performed by British actor Andy Serkis.

The ceremony, hosted by Star Trek co-stars Chris Pine and Zoe Saldana, recognised the behind-the-scenes gurus who have made major contributions to film.

The masterminds behind the computer graphics in Shrek were also feted during the prizegiving at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.