Visual Effects
John Dykstra
Born
1947-06-03 (79)
Place of birth
Long Beach, California, USA
Known for
Visual Effects
Credits
20 titles
John Charles Dykstra, A.S.C. (/ˈdaɪkstrə/; born June 3, 1947) is an American special effects artist, a pioneer in developing computers in filmmaking and a recipient of three Academy Awards, among many other awards and prizes. He was one of the original employees of Industrial Light & Magic, the special effects and computer graphics division of Lucasfilm. He is well known as the special effects lead on the original Star Wars, helping bring the original visuals for lightsabers, space battles between X-wings and TIE fighters, and Force powers to the screen. He also led special effects on many other movies, including Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, Stuart Little, X-Men: First Class, Spider-Man a…
Known for
7.1An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The various category winners are awarded a copy of a statuette, officially the Academy Award of Merit, that is better known by its nickname Oscar.
The Oscars
1953
7.9When George Lucas set out to make Star Wars, little did he know he would end up revolutionizing an industry. This is the story of a team of creative geniuses who put the magic in the movies we love.
LIGHT & MAGIC
2022
6.9After the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Mankind, the last major fighter carrier leads a makeshift fugitive fleet in a desperate search for the legendary planet Earth.
Battlestar Galactica
1978
7.1In honor of the sci-fi franchise’s 55th anniversary this year and produced by The Nacelle Company, the project will feature interviews with cast, crew and experts as it explores pivotal moments in the franchise’s history, from its inception at Lucille Ball’s production company Desilu to recent film and television adaptations.
The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek
2021
8.5No synopsis available yet.
VH1 Goes Inside
2003
8.0An eight-part behind-the-scenes featurette, charting the film from pre-production through post-production, including visual effects techniques and cataloguing “X-Men” transformations through prosthetic make up and costume design
Children of the Atom - Filming X-Men: First Class
2011
Film credits
2010s · 2 titles
8.0An eight-part behind-the-scenes featurette, charting the film from pre-production through post-production, including visual effects techniques and cataloguing “X-Men” transformations through prosthetic make up and costume design
Children of the Atom - Filming X-Men: First Class
2011
6.7Leslie 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.
Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible
2010
2000s · 7 titles
4.8Documentary film exploring the making, and legacy of 'Forbidden Planet'
Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet
2006
5.8Documentary on the making of 'Spider-Man.'
Behind the Ultimate Spin: The Making of 'Spider-Man'
2002
6.2Stanley Kubrick's groundbreaking 2001: A Space Odyssey opened the door to all the films and filmmakers who followed it. Through interviews with directors such as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Sydney Pollack - as well as special effects professionals and cultural historians - this documentary examines the legacy of Kubrick's masterpiece and its influence on science fiction films, special effects and world cinema.
Standing on the Shoulders of Kubrick: The Legacy of 2001
2007
5.3"The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz" - a featurette narrated by Sydney Pollack.
The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz
2005
NRAn "Ock-umentary" exploring the character of Doc Ock and the way he as well as his tentacles were brought to life on the silver screen.
8 Arms to Hold You
2004
6.0This 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.
Vision of a Future Passed: The Prophecy of 2001
2007
6.0Documentary short film about Robby the Robot; a $125,000 engineering marvel that advanced cinematic robotics and went on to become a film star & pop culture icon in its own right
Robby the Robot: Engineering a Sci-Fi Icon
2006
1990s · 2 titles
1980s · 2 titles
Series credits
7.1An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The various category winners are awarded a copy of a statuette, officially the Academy Award of Merit, that is better known by its nickname Oscar.
The Oscars
1953
7.9When George Lucas set out to make Star Wars, little did he know he would end up revolutionizing an industry. This is the story of a team of creative geniuses who put the magic in the movies we love.
LIGHT & MAGIC
2022
7.1In honor of the sci-fi franchise’s 55th anniversary this year and produced by The Nacelle Company, the project will feature interviews with cast, crew and experts as it explores pivotal moments in the franchise’s history, from its inception at Lucille Ball’s production company Desilu to recent film and television adaptations.
The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek
2021
8.5No synopsis available yet.
VH1 Goes Inside
2003
No synopsis available yet.
Sciography
2000