When I was a grad student teaching film classes to kids in Ohio, one of my students wanted to do an unpaid internship at a special effects house. He found a friend of a friend through his church to put him up in LA, and wrote all the effects house. The only one interested in having him was Stan Winston Studios. He ended up working on Edward Scissorhands and Predator 2 and had a great time. I always hoped I'd get the chance to thank him in person, but never did.
So thank you Stan, for being one of the good ones.
James Cameron has made some comments about his death through Aint-It-Cool-News that will update with comments from Jon Favreau and Steven Spielberg as well.
I met Mr. Winston on three occasions, the last time being about a year ago when he and his wife had checked into the hotel that I work for. I can truly say he was an extremely nice person and a true gentleman.
His work dates back as far as the t.v. mini-series Roots and The Autobiography of Ms. Jane Pittman. 62 years is too young of an age to leave this world.
In 1972, when Stan and I were both 25, I was one of those lucky people watching Gargoyles (1972) on the TV. Due mostly to his artistry, that program made a lasting impression.
One of my earliest memories is having the crap scared out of me by a TV movie called Gargoyles. I didn't find out until much later, probably around the time of Terminator 2, that it was Stan Winston who was largely responsible for my childhood fears.
Thanks for a good scare Mr. Winston, and many great memories at the movies.
He was a modern Ray Harryhausen and I thought he had 20 years left before he was going to retire. Regardless of the movie, if Stan was working on it, it had great stuff by him. I've always held Mr. Winston in extremely high regard for his quality of work.
No Way! This sucks! What is happening this year? I mean, besides Hollywood it seems a great many people in my life as a whole are passing. Stan Winston was nothing short of a genius/wizard of effects. His loss will be and has been felt. Goodbye Stan and Thank You.
I just read it, and I can't believe it yet. He will always be known for his immense diversity. Not a lot can say they brought Terminators, Predators, dinosaurs, penguins and whatnot (it truly is a long list) to life. Whether it was through make-up, or animatronics, Stan Winston brought characters to life, and he was the first one to say it. And according to the many interviews (and the wonderful letter by Mr. Cameron above) he was very liked, gentle, funny and very much respected in the business as well. One of the pioneers has been gone, 62 years is way too young.