- TitleBill Taylor papers, 1951 - 2009 (inclusive)
- Collector
- Date(s)1951 - 2009 (inclusive)
1972 - 2006 (bulk) - Related names
- Description
34 linear ft. of papers
- Summary
The collection contains records relating to visual effects work performed by Taylor, including the work of his company, Illusion Arts. The collection consists of production files, television files, other media files, subject files, and photographs. The production and television files consist mostly of matte camera reports and shot lists for various films and television shows including THE BLUES BROTHERS (1980), OUT OF AFRICA (1985), BRUCE ALMIGHTY (2003), THE TWILIGHT ZONE [1985-1989], and the various STAR TREK episodes of the 1980s and 1990s. The other media files include matte camera reports for commercials and Walt Disney rides. The subject files include technical information on blue screen and other technical innovations. There is also some early material collected by Taylor relating to the Universal Studios Matte Department, circa 1950s-1960s, which predates Taylor’s time there.
- BiographyBill Taylor was a visual effects supervisor and cinematographer active in film from 1965 to 2020. Taylor’s interest in visual effects began with magic while he was in junior high. After seeing JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, he was inspired to work in visual effects. From 1965 to 1972, he worked for the Ray Mercer Company, an optical effects company. He then briefly worked for Linwood G. Dunn at Film Effects of Hollywood. After working on DARK STAR (1974) as a freelancer, he moved on to Universal Studios, working under visual effects artist Albert Whitlock for 12 years on films including THE HINDENBURG (1975), FAMILY PLOT (1976), THE WIZ (1978), and THE BLUES BROTHERS (1980). In 1985, Taylor and Syd Dutton co-founded Illusion Arts, which created visual effects for more than 200 films including THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (1993), BRUCE ALMIGHTY (2003), THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS (2001), and MILK (2008). The company folded in 2009. In 1972 he became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and went on to become a member of the visual effects branch and to serve on the board of governors. In 2003, he co-founded the Academy’s Science and Technology Council with Ray Feeney. In 2013, the Academy awarded him with the John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation. He was also a member of the American Society of Cinematographers. Taylor died in 2021.
- Illusion Arts was a visual effects company active from 1984 to 2009. It was founded by cinematographer Bill Taylor and matte painter Syd Dutton. The company contributed visual effects work to dozens of films, including THE ADDAMS FAMILY, THE AGE OF INNOCENCE, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, and THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE.
- Subjects
- Acquisitions InformationGift of Bill Taylor, 2004-2009
- Preferred citationBill Taylor papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- DepartmentLibrary
- 1516
- AvailabilityFor information on the contents and availability of this collection please contact the Reference and Public Services department at ref@oscars.org.
- Moving Image Items
- Library Holdings