RIP Douglas Trumbull

[thatguy]

https://gizmodo.com/douglas-trumbull-eff...1848499954

Douglas Trumbull, Effects Wizard Behind 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner, Has Died
Germain Lussier

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Douglass Trumbull working on Close Encounters of the Third KindPhoto: Michael Ochs Archives (Getty Images)


Science fiction cinema would not be what it is today without the work of Douglas Trumbull. Trumbull helped drive effects on films like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, each time changing the field in ways that would resonate for decades. After an incredible life and career, Trumbull lost a two year battle with cancer this week and passed away at the age of 79.

Born in Los Angeles, CA in 1942, Trumbull began work on visual effects in his 20s. The work got him noticed by a rising filmmaker named Stanley Kubrick and Kubrick asked him to help on his new movie called 2001: A Space Odyssey. Trumbull moved to London to work with Kubrick on the film and ended up pioneering some of the most impressive and famous visual in the entire film, from the onscreen displays to the entire star field sequence. That sequence would not only inspire a generation of film fans, it also set up Trumbull to continue working in the field.

After impressing with visual effects on The Andromeda Strain, Trumbull made the eco-thriller Silent Running, which was his directorial debut. Among the visual effects people he brought on for that film was Donald Trumbull, Douglas’ father. Turns out, visual effects expertise ran in the family, as the elder Trumbull contributed to a little movie called The Wizard of Oz. The pair worked together on several films after that.

Immediately following Silent Running though, Donald Trumbull (who passed away in 2004 at the age of 95) went on to work for Industrial Light and Magic on a film called Star Wars—while Douglas turned that down and worked with Steven Spielberg on Close Encounters of the Third Kind. He created the visuals of the unforgettable spaceship in the film’s climax. At the same time, he worked on the effects for Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Despite the success of those films, Trumbull considered getting out of visual effects. That was, until, director Ridley Scott convinced him to work on the world of Blade Runner. For Trumbull, that it was sci-fi set on Earth and not in space was a key selling point and, of course, the landscapes and visuals he helped create once again redefined what science fiction could be.

In the years that followed Blade Runner, Trumbull worked mostly on short films and in forwarding technology, including a stint at IMAX. He didn’t return to features until 2011's The Tree of Life by Terrence Malick, drawn in by the fact the reclusive director didn’t want to use computer effects.

Looking back on Trumbull’s list of projects, it’s not as long as one might assume for a person who worked in the field for almost five decades. But each time he put himself into a project, chances are he was going to change the course of film history with it. His imagination and creativity resulted in work that will inspire and drive cinema from now until forever.

--tv

[Greg]

I did not realize that there was a Donald and a Douglass Trumbull. I should turn in my film cred card now.

[thatguy]

I remember when my dad took us to see some new movie at the Old Mill called "Star Wars". My dad was a model maker (ships, trains, plnes, tanks, figurines, etc) and was really excited about the special effects. They were different in this movie in that they were more realistic - "dirty", he said, while we were waiting in the line to get tickets.

After that, I was hooked on Star Wars, and then pretty much any film with spaceship models before and after. And Silent Running was my favorite movie of all time for awhile (I think I'd seen it around 26 times). I had all kinds of models and books about spaceship modeling. I think that's how I ended up as an Industrial Design major at SJSU. If I had any talent or patience, I probably would have pursued it. But I don't, so I just appreciate it and the Trumbull's contributions...

--tv

[Drunk Monk]

I remember when my dad took us to see some new movie at the Old Mill called "Star Wars". 

I took my dad to see it after I had seen it earlier. Me and my pops shared a love of movies, backpacking, and gambling. I knew he'd love it. 

I remember he was hooked with the first scene, muttering 'how big is this ship?' with awe with that opening scene under the star destroyer.

I also did not know about Donald.

[King Bob]

I didn't know about either of them, but I did love Silent Running. I haven't seen it in years. It was Bruce Dern's finest role (except maybe for Psych Out).

I saw Star Wars on opening day at the Century theaters on Winchester. I think I went with my brother (and the Yeti and maybe some other people?) I may be wrong on the latter.

[Greg]

Maybe Scapino was with you. I know he saw it early. And the next day he came and told us the whole story.