Joe Viskocil

Joseph Viskocil (December 21, 1952 – August 11, 2014) was an American special effects artist who had over 80 film credits from 1974 to 2014. He created special effects for some of the most famous movie franchises and was awarded an Academy Award for his work on Independence Day (1996).

Joe Viskocil
Born(1952-12-21)December 21, 1952
DiedAugust 11, 2014(2014-08-11) (aged 61)
Los Angeles, California
OccupationVisual effects artist
Years active1974–2014

Career

In 1977, Viskocil assisted John Dykstra and George Lucas in creating the pyrotechnics for Star Wars, including the explosion of the Death Star at the film's climax.[1] In 1980, he returned to create pyrotechnics for The Empire Strikes Back.[1] For the next three decades, he worked on films from the most famous franchises, including Ghostbusters, Batman and Star Trek.[1]

After serving as pyrotechnics supervisor for the 1996 film Independence Day, Viskocil was awarded the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects alongside Volker Engel, Douglas Smith and Clay Pinney at the 69th Academy Awards.[1] Viskocil and miniature supervisor Mike Joyce were responsible for the creation of a 15-foot-wide, 5-foot-high (4.57 metres by 1.52 metres) miniature of the White House, built for destruction during the film.[2]

Style

In the 1990s, Viskocil opposed using computer-generated imagery in the creation of some special effects:

When it comes to pyro techniques, what was done 50 years ago is still good today. There are a billion chemicals out there now that one can add, subtract or manipulate to create a desired effect.[3]

Following the September 11 attacks, Viskocil expressed guilt over making the explosions in Independence Day appear lifelike, saying "I started thinking maybe I did my job too well, and it might have been the nucleus of an idea for someone to say: ‘Hey, let’s crash a plane into the White House.’"[4]

Personal life

Viskocil died on August 11, 2014, in Los Angeles from complications of liver and heart failure.[1]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1977 Star Wars [1]
1980 The Empire Strikes Back [1]
1984 Ghostbusters [1]
1984 The Terminator [1]
1985 The Return of the Living Dead [1]
1987 Masters of the Universe [1]
1988 Killer Klowns From Outer Space [1]
1989 The Abyss [1]
1991 Barton Fink [1]
1991 Terminator 2: Judgment Day [5]
1992 Batman Returns [1]
1994 True Lies [1]
1995 Apollo 13 [3]
1995 Johnny Mnemonic [1]
1996 Independence Day Pyrotechnics supervisor [6]
1997 Alien Resurrection [1]
1997 Volcano [3]
2000 Battlefield Earth [1]
2002 Panic Room [1]
2002 Star Trek: Nemesis [1]
2004 Team America: World Police Pyrotechnics supervisor [5]
2011 Source Code [1]
2022 The Prey: Legend of the Karnoctus Posthumous release [1]

Awards
Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1996 Academy Award for Best Visual Effects Independence Day Won [1]
2017 Visual Effects Society Hall of Fame — Won [7]

References
  1. Barnes, Mike (August 12, 2014). "Joe Viskocil, Visual Effects Guru on 'Star Wars' Films, Dies at 63". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  2. Giardina, Carolyn (June 24, 2016). "'Independence Day': How Visual Effects Have Dramatically Escalated Since the Original Film's Release". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  3. "Pyromania fires up the industry". Variety. May 8, 1997. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  4. Barber, Nicholas (June 18, 2016). "Why are we hooked on films about mass destruction?". The Guardian. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  5. Horn, John (September 12, 2004). "Launching a small-scale offensive". The Los Angeles Times. p. E14. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  6. "Aliens crush cities (at a theater near you)". The Miami Herald. December 18, 1995. p. 2c. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  7. Giardina, Carolyn (October 6, 2017). "'Blade Runner' Alums Syd Mead, Douglas Trumbull Among Visual Effects Hall of Fame Inductees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 5, 2022.


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