Tony Karp
- Special Effects
Fifty years ago, I designed and built the computer-controlled zoom lens that was used to shoot the opening scene of The Godfather. This was the first piece of computer-controlled equipment used in the making of a major motion picture. The computer interface made it possible for the director or cameraman to easily set up a zoom by dialing the start, the finish, and how long the zoom should take. The zoom was repeatable, which made multiple takes easy. Unlike other zoom controls available at the time, it had no low-speed limit. This made it possible to have the three-minute zoom used to shoot the opening scene of the Godfather.
In 1969, the idea of a portable, battery-powered computer was the stuff of science fiction. And the thought of a zoom control with an infinite speed range was an engineer's pipe dream. Somehow, all of the impossible problems were solved, and the computer-controlled lens got built. By a twist of fate, it became available at the exact moment it was needed by the people shooting The Godfather. It made the opening scene possible.
In 1977, I designed and built a motion control system for use with still cameras in a studio environment. It offered full control of pan, tilt, zoom, and strobe lights. It ran on a digital computer with a domain-specific computer language called PISCAL, designed to be programmed directly by the user.
From 1959 to 1962, I worked as a still photographer, with most of my assignments for NBC TV. The pictures were used for print advertisements, TV commercials, and promotional material.
I have been writing, building things, and making pictures since 1956, and I'm still at it. No space here to put all the things I've done.
In 1969, the idea of a portable, battery-powered computer was the stuff of science fiction. And the thought of a zoom control with an infinite speed range was an engineer's pipe dream. Somehow, all of the impossible problems were solved, and the computer-controlled lens got built. By a twist of fate, it became available at the exact moment it was needed by the people shooting The Godfather. It made the opening scene possible.
In 1977, I designed and built a motion control system for use with still cameras in a studio environment. It offered full control of pan, tilt, zoom, and strobe lights. It ran on a digital computer with a domain-specific computer language called PISCAL, designed to be programmed directly by the user.
From 1959 to 1962, I worked as a still photographer, with most of my assignments for NBC TV. The pictures were used for print advertisements, TV commercials, and promotional material.
I have been writing, building things, and making pictures since 1956, and I'm still at it. No space here to put all the things I've done.
