THE stars will be out this Sunday for the showpiece event of the movie industry's calendar. The 81st Academy Awards ceremony takes place at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, with a host of British talent being tipped to win. And Times Territory is being represented too.

THE stars will be out this Sunday for the showpiece event of the movie industry's calendar.

The 81st Academy Awards ceremony takes place at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, with a host of British talent being tipped to win.

And Times Territory is being represented too.

Two graduates from the University of Hertfordshire were both involved in the making of the latest Batman movie The Dark Knight - nominated eight times.

Scott Cooper, who graduated with a first class honours in digital animation in 2005, worked as a technical director of visual effects for the movie - one of the categories the film is up for an Oscar in.

His job involved "cloth simulation"; developing computer techniques to ensure Batman's black cape looked convincing.

He has previously worked on two Harry Potter films and the pre-historic epic 10,000 BC.

Sol Rogers, one of Scott's former lecturers at the university, said: "Scott always worked very hard and was very self motivated. He always had a drive to work in the visual effects industry.

"During his three years on the degree, he produced two short films on his own which both won awards within the university for their quality.

"I hope he does well in the future."

Another former University of Hertfordshire student, Nick Bonathan, worked in the special effects team. His team created the film's stunt sequences and made Batman's motorcycle, the Batpod. He has previously worked on the latest James Bond film Quantum of Solace, which was nominated earlier this month for a special effects award at the BAFTAS.