Robert Abel & Associates
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.
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Robert Abel & Associates was the first visual effects company hired to work on the special photographic effects for Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Design and construction work for the company was handled by Effects Designer Richard Taylor.
The founder of the firm, Robert Abel, was considered a pioneer in motion control photography, 2D and 3D visual effects. [1] However, Abel & Associates were unable to deliver effects footage acceptable to the film's producers and the firm was ultimately released. Some consider Abel's work on this film to be a "failed experiment"; [2] others in the industry have cited conflicts between the effects team and the production staff. [3]
Douglas Trumbull was subsequently given responsibility for the effects work in March 1979. (The Making of Star Trek The Motion Picture)
Robert Abel himself passed away in late September 2001, at the age of 64.
[edit] References
- Ellen Wolff. "Remembering Robert Abel", 1 October 2001, Millimeter Magazine at Digital Content Producer.com(28 November 2006).
- T.C. Tobias. "An interview with Robert Abel and Associate's Richard Taylor on Star Trek: The Motion Picture", 2001, Forgotten Trek (28 November 2006).
