We are sad to report that Donald Trumbull, a true pioneer and visual effects legend has passed away.
The Hollywood Reporter states:
Wisual effects engineer Donald Trumbull — father of visual effects designer Douglas Trumbull — died of natural causes, age 95, at his daughter’s home in Graegle, California.
Donald Trumbull’s accolades include Motion Picture Academy Awards for the design of a projection system for photochemical traveling matte composite photography in 1985 and for a real-time motion-control camera system in 1999.
Trumbull was an effects rigger on The Wizard of Oz in 1939, built the drones for his son’s directorial debut, Silent Running, in 1972, engineered camera and mechanical design for the Star Wars miniature and optical effects unit in 1977 and built the device that flipped the mothership at the climax of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
The LA times writes:
Early in his career, Trumbull worked as a special effects rigger on “The Wizard of Oz.”
During World War II, he worked as an engineer in the aviation industry and earned 19 patents.
He continued working in aviation until 1970, when he rejoined the film industry in collaboration with his son Douglas to develop specialized equipment and robotic arms for the drones in “Silent Running.”
In 1976, Trumbull joined the crew of Industrial Light and Magic, helping design and build the first motion-controlled cameras, booms and specialized equipment for George Lucas’ “Star Wars.”
Trumbull later became a partner and chief engineer for Apogee Productions, which provided photographic effects for numerous movies.
Technical Oscars:
* Technical Achievement Awards (Certificate) 1984:
For the design and development of the “Blue Max” high-power, blue-flux projector for traveling matte composite photography. (w. Jonathan Erland, Stephen Fog & Paul Burk – all of Apogee Incorporated)
* Medal of Commendation 1990:
In appreciation for outstanding service and dedication in upholding the high standards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. (w. Dr. Roderick T. Ryan and Geoffrey H. Williamson)
*Â Scientific and Engineering Awards (Plaque) 1998: For advancing the state-of-the-art of real-time motion-control, as exemplified in the Gazelle and Zebra camera dolly systems. [w. Michael Sorensen & Richard Alexander (both of Sorensen Designs International).