David M. Jones, best known for his contributions as a visual effects supervisor on “Star Wars,” died from complications related to cancer at his home in Winnetka, Calif. on April 8. He was 74.
Jones’ death was confirmed to Variety by his ex-wife and lifelong friend, Janice Gerson-Jones.
Jones was a longtime visual effects artist whose career spanned nearly 30 years. He was born in Sacramento, Calif., but his childhood took him to Air Force bases as far away as Anchorage, Alaska and Freeburg, Ill., where he fondly recalled purchasing his first model airplane kit in first grade. He subsequently earned a bachelor of science in industrial design from Cal State Long Beach. Upon graduating, he began working in the film industry as a model maker, then promoted to a model shop supervisor and finished his career as a visual effects supervisor. David worked at Ilm, Universal Hartland and Boss Film Studios during the bulk of his career.
Jones’ death was confirmed to Variety by his ex-wife and lifelong friend, Janice Gerson-Jones.
Jones was a longtime visual effects artist whose career spanned nearly 30 years. He was born in Sacramento, Calif., but his childhood took him to Air Force bases as far away as Anchorage, Alaska and Freeburg, Ill., where he fondly recalled purchasing his first model airplane kit in first grade. He subsequently earned a bachelor of science in industrial design from Cal State Long Beach. Upon graduating, he began working in the film industry as a model maker, then promoted to a model shop supervisor and finished his career as a visual effects supervisor. David worked at Ilm, Universal Hartland and Boss Film Studios during the bulk of his career.
- 4/21/2022
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Pandora is not Star Trek. Nor Farscape, or Lexx. Not even – and I say this as someone who never quite saw the point of that franchise: not even Battlestar Galactica.
No. Think Famous Five do Space Academy with sets that make Blake’s Seven seem, by comparison, as permanent and stable as Stonehenge and lashings of mostly vanilla rumpy-pumpy and some decidedly questionable ethics. Yes, one character has taken the meaning of pansexual to new heights, by sleeping with anyone and everyone, boy, girl, human or alien in pretty much any combination conceivable. Yet her current partner, in shot immediately after a night of fashion, is hopping round his own student bedroom with an entire duvet wrapped round his bits.
And while pretty much any form of sexual coupling appears now to be allowed, it still turns out that being married is the epitome of...
No. Think Famous Five do Space Academy with sets that make Blake’s Seven seem, by comparison, as permanent and stable as Stonehenge and lashings of mostly vanilla rumpy-pumpy and some decidedly questionable ethics. Yes, one character has taken the meaning of pansexual to new heights, by sleeping with anyone and everyone, boy, girl, human or alien in pretty much any combination conceivable. Yet her current partner, in shot immediately after a night of fashion, is hopping round his own student bedroom with an entire duvet wrapped round his bits.
And while pretty much any form of sexual coupling appears now to be allowed, it still turns out that being married is the epitome of...
- 5/27/2020
- by Jane Fae
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The renowned graphic novel from Joe Kelly and Ken Niimura comes to life in the feature film I Kill Giants, which has been acquired for Us distribution by Rlje Films. In today's Horror Highlights we also have a look at Comet TV's December viewing guide, the Indiegogo campaign for a Twin Peaks fan project, and we also enter the woods to watch the eerie short film The Temple of Lilith.
Rlje Films Acquires Us Distribution Rights to I Kill Giants: Press Release: "Los Angeles, Dec. 5, 2017 – Rlje Films, a brand of Rlj Entertainment (Nasdaq: Rlje), Umedia and Xyz Films announced today that Rlje has acquired the U.S. rights to the highly anticipated I Kill Giants, which premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival to critical praise. Based on the acclaimed Man of Action graphic novel by Joe Kelly and Ken Niimura with a screenplay by Joe Kelly, the film was directed by Anders Walter,...
Rlje Films Acquires Us Distribution Rights to I Kill Giants: Press Release: "Los Angeles, Dec. 5, 2017 – Rlje Films, a brand of Rlj Entertainment (Nasdaq: Rlje), Umedia and Xyz Films announced today that Rlje has acquired the U.S. rights to the highly anticipated I Kill Giants, which premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival to critical praise. Based on the acclaimed Man of Action graphic novel by Joe Kelly and Ken Niimura with a screenplay by Joe Kelly, the film was directed by Anders Walter,...
- 12/6/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
All the hype about Star Wars: The Force Awakens inspired to rewatch Spaceballs. More specifically, I was inspired by a great mashup trailer that we posted about a month ago. It had been a few years since I last saw the movie, but it was just as hilarious as I remembered. There are so many great things in that movie that I had completely forgotten about. I’m glad that I watched it again. If you haven’t seen it in awhile yourself, I suggest you throw it on for some good laughs. I thought this would be just as good a time as any to do a fun facts list for the movie, and below you’ll find ten interesting things that you may or may not already know about it. One thing is for sure, I seriously miss seeing Rick Moranis in movies. That guy was hilarious.
- 12/30/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
News Den Of Geek 20 Jul 2013 - 14:44
The writer, actor and director Mel Smith has died at the age of 60.
Some really sad news to report. The actor, writer and director Mel Smith has died, at the age of 60. The news has now been officially confirmed by the BBC. A heart attack is believed to be the cause of his death.
Smith sprung to fame in the groundbreaking and hugely influential Not The Nine O'Clock News, and then he joined up with Griff Rhys-Jones for a long running and fruitful partnership, the highlight of which being Alas Smith And Jones. The pair's monologues were so popular, they even become part and parcel of the annual build up to the F.A. Cup Final. They also joined together for the movie of Tom Sharpe's Wilt.
Smith co-wrote and starred in the movie Morons From Outer Space too, and he made...
The writer, actor and director Mel Smith has died at the age of 60.
Some really sad news to report. The actor, writer and director Mel Smith has died, at the age of 60. The news has now been officially confirmed by the BBC. A heart attack is believed to be the cause of his death.
Smith sprung to fame in the groundbreaking and hugely influential Not The Nine O'Clock News, and then he joined up with Griff Rhys-Jones for a long running and fruitful partnership, the highlight of which being Alas Smith And Jones. The pair's monologues were so popular, they even become part and parcel of the annual build up to the F.A. Cup Final. They also joined together for the movie of Tom Sharpe's Wilt.
Smith co-wrote and starred in the movie Morons From Outer Space too, and he made...
- 7/20/2013
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
A shameless clone of E.T., or a nuanced film layered with meaning? Ryan offers a few alternate interpretations of Mac And Me…
One of the most infamous cinematic clones in history, family sci-fi fantasy Mac And Me was met with critical derision for its numerous similarities to Steven Spielberg’s E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. On its release in 1988, a Washington Post review put it like this: “Forget about calling home; E.T., call lawyer.”
Mac And Me is equally notable for its blatant instances of product placement, with cans of Coca-Cola present in what appears to be every scene, and the titular alien, Mac, subsisting exclusively on Coke and packets of Skittles. There’s also an interminably long breakdancing sequence in a McDonald’s restaurant, and the spectre of the golden arches looms large over the entire film.
Add in some decidedly rubbery creature effects and some stilted acting, and it’s...
One of the most infamous cinematic clones in history, family sci-fi fantasy Mac And Me was met with critical derision for its numerous similarities to Steven Spielberg’s E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. On its release in 1988, a Washington Post review put it like this: “Forget about calling home; E.T., call lawyer.”
Mac And Me is equally notable for its blatant instances of product placement, with cans of Coca-Cola present in what appears to be every scene, and the titular alien, Mac, subsisting exclusively on Coke and packets of Skittles. There’s also an interminably long breakdancing sequence in a McDonald’s restaurant, and the spectre of the golden arches looms large over the entire film.
Add in some decidedly rubbery creature effects and some stilted acting, and it’s...
- 4/14/2011
- Den of Geek
The film industry is littered with TV comics who have tried and failed to make it on the big screen. Remember Gladiatress, the 2004 comedy set in Celtic Britain during the Roman invasion and starring the Smack the Pony gang? No? Neither do I. What about Morons from Outer Space, written by and starring Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones? Or the deeply disappointing Magicians, featuring the Peep Show boys David Mitchell and Robert Webb? All were consigned to the comedy graveyard, a place where comics dreaming of film careers are left dead and buried.
- 4/1/2010
- The Independent - Film
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