Richard Edlund

Birth : 1940-12-06, Fargo, North Dakota, USA

History

Richard Edlund, ASC (born December 6, 1940) is an American visual effects artist. He was a founding member of Industrial Light & Magic, and later co-founded Boss Film Studios and DuMonde VFX. He has won two Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects (1978, Star Wars; 1982, Raiders of the Lost Ark), as well as two Special Achievement Awards, two Scientific and Technical Awards, and the Medal of Commendation. He is also a BAFTA and Emmy Award recipient.

Movies

Light & Magic
Self
Showcasing the people of Industrial Light and Magic, the special effects division of Lucasfilm, this series takes us back in time as they create the effects for some of the biggest and most successful films of the last 45 years.
Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters
Self
The documentary that tells us the full story from where it all started through to the future of the "Ghostbusters" franchise.
Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
Self - Visual Effects Designer / Cinematographer
This documentary looks to forge the greatest, most definitive, documentary on everything He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, She-Ra, the live action movie, New Adventures of He-Man, the 200x series and much more! They delve into the toys, comics, cartoons, and movies from all eras by talking to the artists, creators, executives and actors who helped make it a reality.
Star Trek: Inside the Roddenberry Vault
Self
Fifty years after the original Star Trek first arrived on television, is there anything about Gene Roddenberry's space opera that hasn't been uncovered? Plenty! On December 13, 2016 fans can experience Star Trek: The Original Series - The Roddenberry Vault, a newly produced multi-part documentary featuring footage from the cutting room floor, long preserved in film canisters by the Roddenberry Estate. The origins of the classic series are explored with new interviews featuring cast and production personnel combined with newly-found deleted scenes, alternate angles, outtakes, behind the scenes moments, and original visual effects elements to tell the definitive story on the making and enduring legacy of Gene Roddenberry's creation.
Star Trek: The Journey to the Silver Screen
Self
In celebration of Star Trek's 50th anniversary, this two-hour documentary explores this enduring franchise by offering viewers an unprecedented, candid exploration into the original series cancellation and subsequent resurrection as one of the most successful series of motion pictures in Hollywood history. Features new interviews with key creative and production people as well as never before seen images from the production of all six classic Star Trek films along with details on all the un-produced Trek theatrical projects including The God Thing, Star Trek: Planet of the Titans, Star Trek: The Academy Years, and many other aborted big screen voyages for the crew of the Enterprise. Chapter 1 - The New Frontier: Resurrecting Star Trek Chapter 2 - Maiden Voyage: Making Star Trek The Motion Picture Chapter 3 - The Genesis Effect: Engineering The Wrath of Khan Chapter 4 - The Dream Is Alive: The Continuing Mission Chapter 5 - End of an Era: Charting The Undiscovered Country
Star Wars: Greatest Moments
Self
Alex Zane counts down the top 20 Star Wars moments as voted by the public. Includes contributions from famous fans as well as the stars and crew of the intergalactic saga.
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
Self - Visual Effects Supervisor
A documentary about the rise and fall of the Cannon Film Group, the legendary independent film company helmed by Israeli cousins Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus.
The Creep Behind the Camera
Himself
An exploration of the making of b-movie sci-fi cult classic "The Creeping Terror" and its con-man director Art "A.J." Nelson/Vic Savage.
Bullet to the Head
Visual Effects Supervisor
After watching their respective partners die, a cop and a hitman form an alliance in order to bring down their common enemy.
21 Jump Street
Visual Effects Supervisor
In high school, Schmidt was a dork and Jenko was the popular jock. After graduation, both of them joined the police force and ended up as partners riding bicycles in the city park. Since they are young and look like high school students, they are assigned to an undercover unit to infiltrate a drug ring that is supplying high school students synthetic drugs.
Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible
Self
Leslie Iwerks' documentary takes audiences behind the scenes at ILM with in depth interviews with some of the company's top talent and showcases never before seen footage highlighting many of their pioneering milestones. From creating the first ever computer generated character in a feature film to the latest advancements in visual effects for film franchises like Transformers and Iron Man, ILM has created some of the most memorable movie moments in recent history.
Charlie Wilson's War
Visual Effects Supervisor
The true story of Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets had some unforeseen and long-reaching effects.
Vision of a Future Passed: The Prophecy of 2001
Self
This documentary about "2001: A Space Odyssey" looks at some of the things that seemed fanciful in 1968, which don't seem quite as much anymore.
Restoring a Legend: Gone with the Wind
Himself
DVD featurette on the restoration of Gone with the Wind (1939).
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy
Self
From the earliest versions of the script to the blockbuster debuts, explore the creation of the Star Wars Trilogy.
Wreckage and Rage: Making 'Alien³'
Self (archive footage)
The creation of the film Alien³ (1992) is covered here in this feature-length documentary in exhaustive detail. Many interviews with the cast and crew give us an idea of how hard of a time David Fincher had creating his first feature film, as well as present us with much information about every element that went into making this film, including how the plot and script changed drastically through filming.
Bedazzled
Visual Effects Supervisor
Elliot Richardson, a suicidal techno geek, is given seven wishes to turn his life around when he meets a very seductive Satan. The catch: his soul. Some of his wishes include a 7 foot basketball star, a rock star, and a hamburger. But, as could be expected, the Devil puts her own little twist on each of his fantasies.
The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story
Himself
There's not a person in the world who wouldn't recognize Mickey Mouse. But until now, not many knew the man who originally gave shape, movement and personality to the world's most beloved icon. "The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story" takes you behind the scenes to meet Walt Disney's best friend and chief animator.
Air Force One
Visual Effects Supervisor
Russian terrorists conspire to hijack the aircraft with the president and his family on board. The commander in chief finds himself facing an impossible predicament: give in to the terrorists and sacrifice his family, or risk everything to uphold his principles - and the integrity of the nation.
Species
Visual Effects Supervisor
In 1993, the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence Project receives a transmission detailing an alien DNA structure, along with instructions on how to splice it with human DNA. The result is Sil, a sensual but deadly creature who can change from a beautiful woman to an armour-plated killing machine in the blink of an eye.
Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight
Producer
Ex-soldier Frank Brayker is the guardian of an ancient key that can unlock tremendous evil; the sinister Collector is a demon who wants the key so he can initiate the apocalypse. On the run from wicked mercenaries for almost 90 years, Brayker finally stops in at a boarding house in New Mexico where — with the help of its residents — he plans to face off against the Collector and his band of ghouls, preventing them from ever seizing the key.
Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic
Himself - Special Effects Director
The story of how the classic epic "Ben-Hur" was made.
King Kong 60th Anniversary Special:
Documentary on the making of the 1933 RKO film King Kong. Contains interviews with George Turner, Linwood Dunn, Rudy Behlmer.
Alien³
Visual Effects Producer
After escaping with Newt and Hicks from the alien planet, Ripley crash lands on Fiorina 161, a prison planet and host to a correctional facility. Unfortunately, although Newt and Hicks do not survive the crash, a more unwelcome visitor does. The prison does not allow weapons of any kind, and with aid being a long time away, the prisoners must simply survive in any way they can.
Solar Crisis
Producer
A huge solar flare is predicted to fry the Earth. Astronauts aboard the spaceship Helios must go to the Sun to drop a bomb equipped with an Artificial Intelligence and a Japanese pilot at the right time so the flare will point somewhere else.
Ghost
Visual Effects Supervisor
Sam Wheat is a banker, Molly Jensen is an artist, and the two are madly in love. However, when Sam is murdered by his friend and corrupt business partner Carl Bruner over a shady business deal, he is left to roam the earth as a powerless spirit. When he learns of Carl's betrayal, Sam must seek the help of psychic Oda Mae Brown to set things right and protect Molly from Carl and his goons.
Vibes
Visual Effects Producer
Medium Sylvia Pickel and psychometrist Nick Deezy meet at a psychic research facility in New York. Not long after, they're contacted by Harry Buscafusco, who offers them $50,000 to find his lost son in South America, in the heart of Incan territory where they discover an ancient mystical secret, and each other.
Big Top Pee-wee
Visual Effects Producer
Paul Reubens stars as Pee-wee Herman in his second full-length film about a farmer who joins the circus after a storm drops a big tent in his front yard. Pee-wee, along with an outlandish cast of animals and circus performers, puts on the best show ever.
Die Hard
Visual Effects Producer
NYPD cop John McClane's plan to reconcile with his estranged wife is thrown for a serious loop when, minutes after he arrives at her office, the entire building is overtaken by a group of terrorists. With little help from the LAPD, wisecracking McClane sets out to single-handedly rescue the hostages and bring the bad guys down.
Leonard Part 6
Visual Effects Producer
After separating from his wife, Leonard Parker (Cosby) quit the spy business and became a restaurateur. His wife refuses to speak with him, and his daughter, who changes her career more often than her clothes, has begun dating a man old enough to be Leonard's father! On top of it all, the government has asked him to come back and save the world again.
The Monster Squad
Visual Effects Supervisor
Count Dracula adjourns to Earth, accompanied by Frankenstein's Monster, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and the Gillman. The uglies are in search of a powerful amulet that will grant them power to rule the world. Our heroes - the Monster Squad are the only ones daring to stand in their way.
Masters of the Universe
Visual Effects Supervisor
The world of Eternia in the aftermath of Skeletor's war on Castle Grayskull, which he has won after seizing Grayskull and the surrounding city using a cosmic key developed by the locksmith Gwildor. The Sorceress is now Skeletor's prisoner and he begins to drain her life-force as he waits for the moon of Eternia to align with the Great Eye of the Universe that will bestow god-like power upon him.
Solarbabies
Visual Effects Producer
In a future in which most water has disappeared from the Earth, we find a group of children, mostly teenagers, who are living at an orphanage, run by the despotic rulers of the new Earth. The group in question plays a hockey based game on roller skates and is quite good. It has given them a unity that transcends the attempts to bring them to heel by the government. Finding an orb of special power, they find it has unusual effects on them. They escape from the orphanage (on skates) and try to cross the wasteland looking for a place they can live free as the storm-troopers search for them and the orb.
Legal Eagles
Visual Effects Supervisor
District Attorney Tom Logan is set for higher office, at least until he becomes involved with defence lawyer Laura Kelly and her unpredictable client Chelsea Deardon. It seems the least of Chelsea's crimes is the theft of a very valuable painting, but as the women persuade Logan to investigate further and to cut some official corners, a much more sinister scenario starts to emerge.
Big Trouble in Little China
Visual Effects Producer
When trucker Jack Burton agreed to take his friend, Wang Chi, to pick up his fiancee at the airport, he never expected to get involved in a supernatural battle between good and evil. Wang's fiancee has emerald green eyes, which make her a perfect target for immortal sorcerer Lo Pan—who must marry a girl with green eyes so he can regain his physical form.
Fright Night
Visual Effects Producer
Charley Brewster, a high school student, accidentally discovers the true and creepy nature of Jerry Dandrige, his dashing and enigmatic new neighbor; but no one seems willing to believe him.
Ghostbusters
Visual Effects
After losing their academic posts at a prestigious university, a team of parapsychologists goes into business as proton-pack-toting "ghostbusters" who exterminate ghouls, hobgoblins and supernatural pests of all stripes. An ad campaign pays off when a knockout cellist hires the squad to purge her swanky digs of demons that appear to be living in her refrigerator.
Poltergeist
Visual Effects Supervisor
Steve Freeling lives with his wife, Diane, and their three children, Dana, Robbie, and Carol Anne, in Southern California where he sells houses for the company that built the neighborhood. It starts with just a few odd occurrences, such as broken dishes and furniture moving around by itself. However, when he realizes that something truly evil haunts his home, Steve calls in a team of parapsychologists led by Dr. Lesh to help before it's too late.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Visual Effects Supervisor
When Dr. Indiana Jones – the tweed-suited professor who just happens to be a celebrated archaeologist – is hired by the government to locate the legendary Ark of the Covenant, he finds himself up against the entire Nazi regime.
The Empire Strikes Back
Visual Effects
The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.
The China Syndrome
Visual Effects Camera
While doing a series of reports on alternative energy sources, opportunistic reporter Kimberly Wells witnesses an accident at a nuclear power plant. Wells is determined to publicize the incident, but soon finds herself entangled in a sinister conspiracy to keep the full impact of the incident a secret.
The Forever War
Producer
A elite task force returns home after a brief interstellar military operation,but discovered that 20 years have passed and the planet they once knew is completely different.