The Hollywood tech guru was 81 years old

Bob Slutsky

Courtesy of Digney & Co.

Bob Slutsky, an expert on the efficiency and effectiveness of media issues at all stages of the film production process, has died. He was 81 years old.

Slutsky died in Los Angeles after a long illness. Hollywood Reporter I learned Wednesday.

Throughout his 60-year career, Slutsky has worked in the theater and entertainment industry, where he was one of the early developers of nonlinear editing technology. He also helped pave the way for computerized lighting and automated mixing in the industry with “first-of-its-kind” systems.

He initially began working in theatre, focusing on lighting, stage management and directing, including production Amen Corner With James Baldwin and The loudest sound in the world With Frank Silvera. He later moved to Ampex and LucasFilm, where he worked with Stanley Kubrick, Sidney Lumet, Alan Alda, and George Lucas to bring non-linear editing systems to market.

Slutsky served for 17 years as Vice President of National TeleConsultants, providing his technical expertise to industry leaders including Warner Bros., Universal Television, The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, Paramount Pictures, ESPN, BET, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. TV Archive, Microsoft, and more.

Several media giants also helped him with technology issues related to professional media, its functionality and cost of ownership, such as advanced technology, workflow and infrastructure.

Slutske was a life member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and served on several key committees during his time there.

He is survived by his daughters Shoshanna and Rena Slutsky, his brother Dale Lewis and his son-in-law Christopher Alden.