HERITAGE AND THE BIOGRAPHY

Bill was extremely proud of his Polish heritage. Frequently, when we would speak on the phone he would throw in a Polish word or two in order to show that he still remembered the language. Because of the strong roots to his heritage, Bill was extremely proud when the Polish-American Journal (a monthly newspaper read by our parents, grandparents, family and friends) published a his biography in December of 1981. The term PNA, which is appears in the article stands for the Polish National Alliance, a fraternal organization.

Here is that article in its entirety.







Bukowski considered top expert on motion picture stereoscopy
December 1981

New York - Bill Bukowski is considered one of the world's leading experts on motion picture stereoscopy. He recently was the principal speaker at Toronto's 6th annual festival of Festival's 3-D Retrospective in October 1981. He was also invited to supervise the presentation and speak at the 50th anniversary of the Mexican Filmmaking celebration in Mexico last fall.

Bill Bukowski is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Bukowski, grandson of Mr. & Mrs. Kazimierz Urbanowicz and the brother of Philip Bukowski and Mrs. Suzanne Bolinski whom you have seen in our January issue, a 100% PNA family.

Bill Bukowski was born in Brooklyn, New York, January 3, 1952. While still a junior at St. Francis Prep, he began his career in the motion picture industry by apprenticing with the film editor Jerry Bloedow. At the age of 16 he became one of the youngest members accepted into the I.A. Editors Union. While working he completed his education at New York University School of the Arts-Film Division.

In 1973, Mr. Bukowski went to work for International Film Industries (N.Y.), a prolific low-budget production company. There he specialized in camera operation and repair. In 1975, he met 3-D pioneer Michael Findlay, inventor of the prototype, which was to evolve into the OPTIMAX III system. The two men conferred regularly on optical matters and Mr. Bukowski was able to observe the progress of the system. When Mr. Findlay as tragically killed in the Pan Am helicopter crash in 1977, Mr. Bukowski was invited by the financiers to join the company and continue the research and perfection of the filming device.

Bill immersed himself in the work, furthering his knowledge through optics classes at NYU and City University, consulting with optical engineers and devouring all literature on the subject of optics. Mr. Bukowski then developed the Optrix 3-D Projection Devise, which is currently servicing 3-D presentation worldwide. His next step was to develop the Telephoto capability and increase the transmission and resolution factors of the filming device.

In the spring of 1980, OPTIMAX III was contracted to shoot "Comin' At Ya!," a 3-D western. After modifying the lenses for high-speed photography, Mr. Bukowski left for location in Spain to oversee principal photography. The film completed shooting in December 1980.

In August 1981, Mr. Bukowski and Producer Brud Talbot formed OPTIMAX III, Inc. and acquired all rights to the OPTIMAX III process.

The PNA congratulates Bill Bukowski on his accomplishments and wishes him success in his future endeavors.