DEREK MEDDINGS
1931 – 1995
A pioneer in the field of special effects.
Derek Meddings was a special effects designer, who learned his trade working with Gerry Anderson on many of his best-known TV programmes, such as Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and UFO. He had started as an art assistant, painting models and backgrounds, before moving into special effects on Supercar. His innovative work with models has since become the industry standard.
He moved into film, and worked on a number of blockbusters, including Superman, Batman and several James Bond films. His work on Superman won him a Special Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the Michael Balcon Award from BAFTA. He was also nominated for an Oscar for Moonraker, and for BAFTA awards for Batman and Goldeneye.
Meddingswas living in Cookham when he died of cancer, aged 64. So many people turned up for his funeral that the church doors had to be opened wide to let everybody participate in the service.
FIND OUT MORE –
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Meddings
http://lester.demon.nl/superm/medd-bio.html
