#Joe Viskocil

[science70]

Pyrotechnics expert Joe Viskocil (pictured with the Blockade Runner) filming visual effects for Star Wars (USA, 1977 dir: George Lucas).

#science fiction #film #special effects #Joe Viskocil #Star Wars #Industrial Light & Magic #George Lucas #USA #1977

[tomeandflickcorner]

Star Wars Day- A Memorial

Happy National Star Wars Day, everyone!

Last year, I commemorated this day by beginning a 14 week-long project, in which I reviewed all existing Star Wars movies.  Of course, since Episode 9- Rise of Skywalker won’t be out until December, it will be a while longer before I can review that one.

So this year, I decided to take a moment to look back and remember all the Star Wars cast and crew we have lost throughout the years.  Because without their time and talent, the timeless saga might never have become the phenomenon it has become.

Leigh Brackett- Writer of the First Draft of Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (1915-1978)

John Barry- Production Designer for Episode 4- A New Hope and 2nd Unit Director for Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (1935-1979)

Graham Ashley- Gold Five in Episode 4- A New Hope (1927-1979)

Russ Manning- Writer and Penciller of the Star Wars newspaper comic strip from 1979 to 1980 (1929-1981)

Eddie Byrne- General Vanden Willard in Episode 4- A New Hope (1911-1981)

Richard Marquand- Director of Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1937-1987)

Barry Gnome- Kabe in Episode 4- A New Hope (1914-1988)

Alex McCrindle- General Jan Dodonna in Episode 4- A New Hope (1911-1990)

Vince Colletta- Inked Marvel’s Star Wars #64: Serphidian Eyes(1923-1991)

Anthony Lang- Sim Aloo in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (?-1992)

Peter Cushing- Grand Moff Wihuff Tarkin in Episode 4-A New Hope(1913-1994)

Tarik the Bear- Primary source for the voice of Chewbacca, as well as Lumpawaroo ‘Lumpy’ in the Star Wars Holiday Special (1977-1994)

Sebastian Shaw- Anakin Skywalker in the original version of Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1905-1994)

Pat Welsh- Voice of Boushh in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1915-1995)

Morris Bush- Dengar in Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (1930-1995)

Brian Daley- Author of The Han Solo Adventures and the Star Wars radio dramas (1947-1996)

Jeremy Sinden- Dex Tiree in Episode 4- A New Hope (1950-1996)

Don Henderson- General Cassio Tagge in Episode 4- A New Hope (1931-1997)

Jack Purvis- Chief Jawa in Episode 4- A New Hope, Ugnaught in Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back and Teebo in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1937-1997)

Archie Goodwin- Writer for the Star Wars newspaper comic strips and the Marvel Star Wars comics (1937-1998)

Declan Mulholland- Stand-in for Jabba the Hutt in Episode 4-A New Hope (1932-1999)

Mary Kay Bergman- Voiced multiple characters in the Episode 1- The Phantom Menace video game (1961-1999)

Edvin Biukovic- Penciller for X-Wing Rouge Squadron: The Phantom Affair and The Last Command (1969-1999)

Gil Kane- Illustrator for the Marvel Star Wars comics (1926-2000)

George Roussos- Illustrator for the Marvel Star Wars comics (1915-2000)

Alfredo Alcala- Illustrator for many classic Star Wars comics (1925-2000)

Chic Stone- Inker for Marvel’s Star Wars #45: Death Probe (1923-2000)

Sir Alec Guinness- Obi-Wan ‘Ben’ Kenobi in the original Star Wars Trilogy (1914-2000)

Shelagh Fraser- Aunt Beru in Episode 4- A New Hope (1920-2000)

Tom Chantrell- Designer of the Style C posters for Star Wars in 1977 (1916-2001)

Ted Burnett- Wuher the Bartender in Episode 4- A New Hope (1926-2001)

Heinz Petruo- Voiced Darth Vader in the German dub (1918-2001)

Claire Davenport- Yarna d’al’ Gargan in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1933-2002)

George Alec Effinger- Writer of The Great God Quay: The Tale of Varada and the Weequays (1947-2002)

Des Webb- The Wampa in Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (?-2002)

Art Carney- Saun Dann in The Star Wars Holiday Special (1918-2003)

Peter Diamond- Stunt Coordinator for Episode 4- A New Hope and  Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back.  Also assisted with stunts in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi, as well as portrayed stormtroopers, Tusken Raiders and a snowtrooper throughout the original Star Wars Trilogy (1929-2004)

Bruce Boa- General Rieekan in Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (1930-2004)

Alf Joint- Stunt Performer in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1927-2005)

Brock Peters- Voiced Darth Vader in the Star Wars radio adaptations (1927-2005)

Michael Sheard- Admiral Kendal Ozzel in Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (1938-2005)

Hamilton Camp- Voice of Rune Haako in Galactic Battlegrounds (1934-2005)

Charles Rocket- Voice of Nym in Star Wars: Starfighter and Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter (1949-2005)

John Hollis- Lobot in Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (1927-2005)

William Hootkins- Jek Porkins in Episode 4- A New Hope (1948-2005)

Phil Brown- Owen Lars in Episode 4- A New Hope (1916-2006)

Paul Gleason- Jeremitt Towani in Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1939-2006)

Tim Hilderbrandt- Designer of one of the original theatrical release posters for Star Wars.  Also credited for the artwork in the Shadows of the Empire project (1939-2006)

Lykke Nielsen- Voiced Princess Leia in the Dainish Star Wars audiotapes (1946-2006)

Dave Cockrum- Artist responsible for several covers for Marvel’s Star Wars comics (1943-2006)

Christine Hewett- Shada D’ukai in Episode 4- A New Hope (1943-2007)

Larry Ward- Voice of Greedo in Episode 4- A New Hope and Jabba the Hutt in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi.  Also helped develop the Huttese language alongside Ben Burtt (1944-2007)

Mark Haigh-Hutchinson- Project leader for Star Wars: Rouge Squadron and Shadows of the Empire video game.  Also worked on other Star Wars games (1964-2008)

Dwight Hemion- Executive Producer of The Star Wars Holiday Special (1926-2008)

John Alvin- Artist for various Star Wars posters, book covers and video covers, including the covers for the Jedi Acadamy trilogy and poster for Celebration IV in 2007 (1948-2008)

Harvey Korman- Krelman, Chef Gormaanda and Dromboid in The Star Wars Holiday Special (1927-2008)

Stan Winston- Visual Effects and Makeup Artist. Worked on the new Wookiee costumes for The Star Wars Holiday Special (1946-2008)

Don LaFontaine- Voice Actor who narrated the 1995 VHS release of The Making of Star Wars (1940-2008)

Bea Authur- Ackmena in The Star Wars Holiday Special (1922-2009)

Don Ivan Punchatz- Science Fiction writer who created the first Star Wars poster (1936-2009)

Mark Jones- Commander Nemet in Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (1939-2010)

Gareth Rigan- Executive Producer for Episode 4- A New Hope (1931-2010)

Richard Devon- Voice Actor for Star Wars: Ewoks (1926-2010)

Al Williamson- Comic Illustrator for various Marvel Star Wars comics and Classic Star Wars comics (1931-2010)

Alan Hume- Cinematographer for Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1924-2010)

Jackie Burroughs- Voice of Morag in Star Wars: Ewoks (1939-2010)

Irvin Kershner- Director of Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (1923-2010)

Grant McCune- Chief Modelmaker for Episode 4- A New Hope (1943-2010)

Bob Anderson- Swordmaster who played Darth Vader in the fight scenes of Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back and Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1922-2012)

Ian Abercrombie- Voice of Palpatine/Darth Sidious in Star Wars: The Clone Wars film and TV Series (1934-2012)

David Anthony Pizzuto- Voice of Tanno Vik and Sedyn Kyne in the Star Wars: The Old Republic video game (1951-2012)

Ralph McQuarrie- Concept Artist for the original Star Wars Trilogy (1929-2012)

Bill Weston- Stuntman in the original Star Wars Trilogy (1941-2012)

Winston Rekert- Voice of Mungo Baobab and Sise From in Star Wars: Droids (1949-2012)

Colin Higgins- Wedge Antilles in Episode 4- A New Hope (?-2012)

Stuart Freeborn- Makeup artist for the original Star Wars Trilogy (1914-2013)

Carmine Infantino- Artist for many of the Marvel Star Wars comics (1924-2013)

Richard LeParmentier- Admiral Motti in Episode 4- A New Hope (1946-2013)

Gilbert Taylor- Cinematographer for Episode 4- A New Hope (1914-2013)

A.C. Crispin- Author of the Han Solo Trilogy and various short stories (1950-2013)

Christopher Malcolm- Rouge Two in Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (1946-2014)

Malcolm Tierney- Shann Childsen in Episode 4- A New Hope (1938-2014)

Aaron Allston- Author of thirteen Star Wars novels and several short stories (1960-2014)

Meshack Taylor- Voice of Wedge Antilles in the Star Wars radio Drama (1947-2014)

Joe Viskocil- Crew Member who worked on miniature explosions in Episode 4- A New Hope and miniature pyrotechnics for Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (1952-2014)

Khan Bonfils- Saesee Tiin in Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (1972-2015)

Keith Swaden- Stuntman for the original Star Wars Trilogy (1949-2015)

Richard Bonehill- Snowtrooper, stormtrooper and Palo Torshan in Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back and a stormtrooper, a Mon Calamari, an X-Wing pilot, a TIE pilot, Nien Numb, Ree-Yees and Mosep Binneed in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1949-2015)

David Esch- Voiced Han Solo in the Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds video game (1948-2015)

Sir Christopher Lee- Count Dooku/Darth Tyranus in Episode 2- Attack of the Clones and Episode 3- Revenge of the Sith (1922-2015)

George Coe- Voice of Tee Watt Kaa in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (1929-2015)

Jason Winreen- Original voice of Boba Fett (1920-2015)

Bill E. Martin- Voice Actor in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Episode 1- The Phantom Menace video game, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter and Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance (1945-2016)

Joe Alaskey- Voice Actor in Episode 1- The Phantom Menace video game (1952-2016)

Alethea McGrath- Jocasta Nu in Episode 2- Attack of the Clones and Episode 3-Revenge of the Sith video game (1920-2016)

Drewe Henley- Garven Dreis in Episode 4- A New Hope, as well as Rouge One: A Star Wars Story through archive footage (1940-2016)

Ray West- Re-Recording Mixer for Episode 4- A New Hope (1925-2016)

Erik Bauersfeld- Original voice of Gial Ackbar in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi, Episode 7- The Force Awakens and the Star Wars X-Wing video game.  Also was Bib Fortuna in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1922-2016)

Ian Watkin- Voice of COO-2180 in Episode 2- Attack of the Clones (1940-2016)

Ronald Falk- Voice of Dexter Jettster in Episode 2- Attack of the Clones (1935-2016)

Kenny Baker- Largely known as the man inside R2-D2.  Also was Paploo in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1934-2016)

Ian Liston- Wes Janson and an AT-AT gunner in Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (1948-2016)

Peter Sumner- Lieutenenat Pol Treidum in Episode 4- A New Hope (1942-2016)

Carrie Fisher- Princess Leia Organa (1956-2016)

Chris Wiggins- Voice of Mon Julpa in Star Wars: Droids (1931-2017)

John Forgeham- Gunnery Captain Bolvan in Episode 4- A New Hope (1941-2017)

Margaret Towner- Jira in Episode 1- The Phantom Menace (1920-2017)

John Cygan- voiced several Star Wars characters in video games and audio dramas (1954-2017)

Andy Cunningham- Mime Artist and Puppeteer for Ephant Mon in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1950-2017)

William Hoyland- Commander Igar in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1943-2017)

Barry Dennen- Voice of King Ramsis Dendup in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (1938-2017)

John Molio- Costume Designer for Episode 4- A New Hope and Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (1931-2017)

Alfie Curtis- Doctor Cornelius Evazan in Episode 4- A New Hope (1930-2017)

Jim Baikie- Inked, penciled and colored Empire’s End (1940-2017)

Allison Shearmur- Executive Producer for Rouge One: A Star Wars Story and Solo: A Star Wars Story (1963-2018)

Debbie Lee Carrington- Romba in Episode 6- Return of the Jedi and Weechee Warrick in Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure (1959-2018)

Michael Ford- Set Director for Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back and Episode 6- Return of the Jedi (1929-2018)

Bong Dazo- Penciled many Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic comics and the Star Wars:The Force Unleashed comic adaptation (1962-2018)

Marie Severin- Colorist for several issues of Star Wars, Droids and Ewoks (1929-2018)

Gary Kurtz- Producer for Episode 4- A New Hope and Episode 5- The Empire Strikes Back (1940-2018)

Marty Balin- Lead Singer of Jefferson Starship, which was featured in The Star Wars Holiday Special (1942-2018)

Carlos Ezquerra- Penciled and Inked the comic book series Mara Jade: By the Emperor’s Hand and the short comic Boba Fett 1/2 Salvage (1947-2018)

Stan Lee- Editor of Marvel Comics who wrote the introduction of The Marvel Comics Illustrated Version of Star Wars (1922-2018)

Willard Huyck- Script Doctor for the first draft of Episode 4- A New Hope (1945-2018)

John Wreford- Lieutenant Hija in Episode 4- A New Hope (1943-2018)

William Morgan Sheppard- Voice of Heavy Gun Trooper and Ruulian Strip Miner in Star Wars: Force Commander (1932-2019)

Bronco McLoughlin- Stormtrooper in Episode 4- A New Hope (1938-2019)

Shane Rimmer- Rebel Crew Chief in Episode 4- A New Hope (1929-2019)

Vonda N. McIntyre- Author of The Crystal Star (1948-2019)

Frank Henson- Stormtrooper, skiff guard and a rebel guard in Episode 6: Return of the Jedi (1935-2019)

Peter Mayhew- Chewbacca (1944-2019)

Thank you, all.  Even though you are no longer here, your legacy will live on forever.  As Luke himself  once stated, no one’s ever really gone.

#star wars #national star wars day #may the 4th be with you

[theoscarchallenge]

Yes, somehow in all those years, I had never seen Independence Day. But seeing as it is an Oscar winner, it was bound to happen at some point. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a lot better than I expected and I actually really enjoyed it. Good cast, ok story and it’s pretty cool visually. It received the Oscar for Best Effects-Visual Effects for Volker Engel, Douglas Smith, Clay Pinney and Joe Viskocil.

#independence day #will smith #bill pullman #jeff goldblum #mary mcdonnell #judd hirsch #robert loggia #randy quaid #vivica a. fox #mae whitman #1996 #theoscarchallenge

[zazamatic]

Jim Danforth is among the top tier when it comes to established stop-motion animators (he was also proficient in other types of SPX trickery).  Next to Ray Harryhausen, perhaps the best known and respected dimensional animator is Jim Danforth.  Jim, like Ray, was influenced by King Kong and The Thief of Bagdad (1940). He warrants a special mention as an innovator, superb visual artist and a first rate animator.

One of the many spectacular glass paintings Jim executed for WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH.

A wonderful example of Jim's fine art - THE NAUTILUS UNDER CONSTRUCTION was painted for fellow Cascade staffer Tom Scherman.  Some time later the painting was returned temporarily to Jim for some artistic changes, at which time Scherman sadly passed away.  The artwork is now owned by miniature pyrotechnician Joe Viskocil.

In 1980 Jim was asked by Ray to join him on Clash of the Titans (1981) for which he animated some of the flying horse (Pegasus) sequences and the Dioskilos sequence.

He once commented that, ‘Animators and trick film-makers were considered by Hollywood to be technicians rather than performers, or artists, or film-makers’, a sentiment that would be echoed by Ray and most other dimensional animators.

http://nzpetesmatteshot.blogspot.com/2012/05/jim-danforth-matte-arts-last.html

http://www.coolasscinema.com/2013_05_18_archive.html

http://gammillustrations.bizland.com/monsterkid7/stopmotion2.html

http://www.harryhausenarchive.com/pre-dynamation.php

#jim danforth #ray harryhausen #stop motion #animation #special effects #matte painting

[amazonasemtempo]

Morre criador de efeitos visuais de 'Star Wars' e 'Independence Day'

Morre criador de efeitos visuais de ‘Star Wars’ e ‘Independence Day’

O criador de efeitos visuais Joe Viskocil, que trabalhou nos dois primeiros filmes da saga “Star Wars” (no Brasil, também conhecida como “Guerra nas Estrelas”) e ganhou um Oscar pelas imagens que desenvolveu em “Independence Day”, morreu aos 63 anos. (more…)

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#efeitos visuais #Joe Viskocil #Star Wars