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Quint talks with Stan Winston Studios' Shane Mahan and Lindsay Macgowan about Stan, his films and the future of the Studios

RIP Stan by Kid Idioteque	Jun 23rd, 2008 10:53:16 PM
Since I didn't post in the other talkbacks yet... His work on Jurassic Park is a major reason that film worked so well and ultimately sparked my love of all things cinematic.
ONE BIG HUG FROM YOUR BRAZILIAN FANS, STAN... by Wilclas	Jun 24th, 2008 12:05:03 AM
...Thanks for all the magic. See you in the next life.
Man, I'm still hurting from George Carlin... by Galactic	Jun 24th, 2008 12:14:44 AM
Now you gotta remind me that Stan also passed away.... what a shitty fucking past 2 weeks this has been.
Which is not to say... by Galactic	Jun 24th, 2008 12:16:14 AM
Kudos for your tribute to Stan the Man. You were one of the very few who honestly EARNED your LEGEND status, Mr. Winston. Goodspeed, and thank you for everything.
Hey Sherlock, you're a douche. by Galactic	Jun 24th, 2008 12:19:22 AM
And that's just for the WALL-O-TEXT attack you just did on everyone's eyes, nevermind the fact that you're talking shit about a legend who recently passed.
Sherlock Holmes II by Toonol	Jun 24th, 2008 12:28:20 AM
Cameron put a shape-shifting terminator in T2 for one reason: He had just done The Abyss, where there was a CGI water creature, and he knew the tech would work and be cool in T2. These litigious "Minotaur" bastards are full of it.
... by tiredpm	Jun 24th, 2008 12:44:57 AM
Y'know, I was stunned to silence by the death of Stan Winston, but it didn't hit me that hard. I posted in the tribute, I mentioned Stan's passing to my wife and co-workers, but it didn't hit me. "During this time the film shut down for a while and we redid some shots for Manimal, Then Terminator jumped back to life..." That just killed me. That just took me back to the playground in junior school in England, with me and my friends trying to make our knuckles move the way the lead actor's did when he transformed. That took me back to drunken nights in the pub where you fondly remembered the shows you grew up on. Manimal took me back. MANIMAL, for God's sake. And that made me stop, tear up, and once more marvel at the genius and mourn the loss of Stan Winston. Once again, God speed, Stan, and my condolences to his family, co-workers and those that knew him.
Quint, as before, hit delete by tiredpm	Jun 24th, 2008 12:47:28 AM
Remove the above posts that have nothing to do with the passing of a legend in motion picture history. Thanks.
Thanks Quint by jingle_balls	Jun 24th, 2008 12:49:56 AM
Great interview. The love for Stan is far reaching and that will bring a smile to the Alien Queen, T-100 and the T-Rex. Truly a great man
Well, Sherlock Holmes II... by Bones	Jun 24th, 2008 12:51:19 AM
Seeing as how the lawsuit is against Cameron AND NOT WINSTON...what does it have to do with the future or the Winston Effects Group, and their memories of Stan? Oh, exactly nothing. We live in a litigious culture where everyone wants their piece of projects that have even the slightest similarity to their work or ideas. I have ideas all the time that are sometimes mirrored in projects that other people do--most of the time they are coincidence. Two people get inspired by the same thing and make a general stab in the same direction. Was the Minotaur from the future? Does it fight a Cyborg? Did id spend most of the movie as a motorcycle cop? No? Then it is not relevant. At least pessamism hasn't infected these talkbacks about Stan until now.
Quint--thanks for the interview by Bones	Jun 24th, 2008 12:55:43 AM
It is good to know that the company is in good hands. Please don't make the mistake that the Hensons did and let the company be split in two. I mean, due to Disney owning the classic Muppets, you can't see Kermit introduce Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas, which is owned by the Henson kids. It is the same as when ILM sold off the Model and physical effects arm of the company...just wrong. So, please don't be those guys!
STAN WINSTON STUDIO RULES OK by theplant	Jun 24th, 2008 01:02:26 AM
Let's perpetuate the memory and the great work, he was truly one of the greats.
Jack Colby by tiredpm	Jun 24th, 2008 01:10:20 AM
Not sure where you grew up but I'd guess it wasn't close to Liverpool in the UK. It's amazing the collective memory we have and the experiences that are in common despite different backgrounds, upbringings and cultures. Nice to know that we all grew up on the same material. I would think it's nice for those who worked on a show that lasted one season (I'm not even going to fact check this, my memory was a few episodes and then gone and I don't feel like having my memory challenged right now) to know that their work still has resonance after all these years for a 33 year old, married and with two kids.
great interview by bacci40	Jun 24th, 2008 01:39:38 AM
but dont we have the right at times to be cynical? nothing against stan or any of the people in his studio...they are the magic makers...they are the artists...but what about the hacks that make shit? you know, the guys who look at a movie as dollar signs....guys like bay and the ratt...and those two fucks who keep making "spoof movies" that isnt art...unless you call taking a shit on a large canvas art...and if thats art, then get me the canvas, cuz im full of shit
Almost met Mr. Winston by cliffy99	Jun 24th, 2008 02:04:40 AM
I manage a messenger company in Los Angeles and several of our clients have us deliver elements to dozens of post-production facilities around LA..About 2 years ago, I was helping out making a delivery to a agency on Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills..Just as I was entering the building, I saw Stan Winston exiting. I see many celebs with my job and upon meeting them always find that for the most part, they are very nice people..Perhaps because I have an effects background and truly love the effects artists and what they create, I FROZE!...He walked by me...I wish I could have had that moment back...I would have said "Thank you Stan! Thank you for inspiring me"....
bacci40... by tiredpm	Jun 24th, 2008 02:16:27 AM
Yes. Cynicism is encouraged and appreciated. If George Carlin stood for anything it was the questioning of authority, the questioning of the old to make way for the new. But this isn't the talkback for it. Go find somewhere else to be a cynic, this isn't the place for it. I'll join you, when the effects are sub-par, when the effects are without character. But not on this talkback or any other that celebrates the life of a man who birthed the dreams (and nightmares) of so many others.
One spotted him in the studio in 2005... by drwilliamweir	Jun 24th, 2008 02:22:26 AM
I had the luck to visit as War of The Worlds was being done, and had a look around the vast white studio's only to spot the man through the presentation room door briefly (that signature glasses/beard/goatee). The man was a legend and an inspiration, one of the reasons I do what I do now. Cliffy, don't worry - I did the same thing when I met Harryhausen. I completely froze. Couldn't say anything and he gave me a concerned look as if I was going to explode... still, that's often what happens when you meet your legends!
Mr. Winston by MovieDeal	Jun 24th, 2008 03:25:39 AM
I had the pleasure of meeting him at a symposium of the making of "Jurassic Park". Absolutely the nicest most generous man (in and out of show business) that I have ever met. He was so enthusiastic about what made the magic actually WORK! I'll never forget that meeting. As, I'll never forget his work. Stan, you are TRULY the Man.
Did you see that Cameron... by Boba Fat	Jun 24th, 2008 04:22:26 AM
read excerpts from the obit talkback at a tribute in L.A? A fitting tribute the great work this site - especially Quint- has done in getting Winston's passing the respectful recognition it deserves.
Link by Boba Fat	Jun 24th, 2008 04:50:51 AM
http://tinyurl.com/6gpyjp
tiredpm...i was just commenting on the comment by bacci40	Jun 24th, 2008 05:12:21 AM
and this isnt the rip thread
May Stan Winston Rest in Peace! by TheIronManofSteel	Jun 24th, 2008 06:42:25 AM
Even though this Juggernaut in the world of film has passed, it is so comforting to see that the people who have worked so diligently along side him for the last 25 or so years are willing to take up his mantle and carry on the tradition, the legacy, and the hard work, along with blood, sweat, and tears that Mr. Winston put into this industry. As just a fan of film, with no connection to the production side of things, I fully realize that my life as a film-buff wouldn't be the same without people like Mr. Winston, Mr. Harryhausen, Mr. Cameron, and even Mr. Spielberg. I am so sorry for your loss, though I do hope the condolences of all of the fans might at least pad the blow of such a tremendous tragedy. You are in our thoughts and prayers, God Bless.
Very cool interview by giger167	Jun 24th, 2008 07:26:09 AM
It's great the Winston name will carry on in the practical effects field, can't think of a more fitting tribute to the man than to continue his work.
Stan Winston Studios by JamesT	Jun 24th, 2008 07:54:14 AM
Thanks Quint for posting this. It was great to hear the stories from Shane and Lindsay regarding Stan.
That was Excellent, Quint by DatoMan413	Jun 24th, 2008 08:18:36 AM
Good job on that piece. It gave us more insight into the workings of the man. Thanks, Quint.
Thanks Quint... by tehDude	Jun 24th, 2008 08:39:30 AM
interview was awesome! Glad to see the studio is in safe hands.
great tributes to Mr. Winston AICN... by just pillow talk	Jun 24th, 2008 08:47:51 AM
Suffice to say, what he and his fellows have done, is bring real magic to the movies.
RIP Stan..... I don't know what else to say by joshtownsend	Jun 24th, 2008 10:48:25 AM
A true legend.
The T-Rex attack still rocks thanks to Stan by Tacom	Jun 24th, 2008 11:27:24 AM
Watching it again you realize how much of the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park were animatronic. More than half of them. The T-Rex head crashing through the top of the jeep, the computer lights on the raptors, the spitting dinosaur that kills Wayne Knight...
thanks quint by Gungan Slayer	Jun 24th, 2008 12:26:10 PM
good interview too.
An insightful and well-conducted interview. by brokentusk	Jun 24th, 2008 12:40:57 PM
Thanks Quint, what a great way to end the week-long tribute to such an influential, creative and artistic human being. I haven't written in yet about his passing, but I wish his family and his colleagues a long life. He will be missed, but his creations and influence will be felt throughout cinematic time.
Thank you Quint - by Archive	Jun 24th, 2008 01:38:47 PM
- you've really been the vocal fulcrum for this industry, in dealing with this loss. Everybody knows it, and everybody appreciates it.
I never worked with Stan by ewokstew	Jun 24th, 2008 01:41:21 PM
as I was a miniature FX, not creature FX person. Even on that other side of the industry, his tremendous reputation for world class work was noted by me and many others. If anybody hasn't read it yet, I highly recommend the San Winston Studios hardcover that came out (fairly) recently.
The JP dinos.... by Rameses	Jun 24th, 2008 01:58:06 PM
I believe the reason the cgi dinos in JP still hold up so well is , that 1} ILM were forced to match stan's animatronics as closely as possible , so that the two blended seamlessly and 2}They had a wealth of full size , wonderfully sculpted animatronic dino's to work from , for design and texture reference.Too often now , the cgi is knocked out , with no more than a small, unpainted maquette scanned in as a guide.Thats when it ends up looking faker than JP years on.Nice to see that this site is still covering Stan's legacy.
My Stan Winston stories... by unit1421	Jun 24th, 2008 02:20:18 PM
I met Stan briefly at the San Diego Comic-Con at the Time Machine booth. He was telling a small group about when his crew took to the T-Rex and "super-saurus"( from JP 3) robots onto the back lot for some super-sized robot wars. It took the super-saurus crew only a few minutes to make minced meet out of the T-Rex, head dangling and wires sparking galore. The other story shows a slightly uglier side of the f/x biz. I was hanging out with Michael Hood from Precision Effects(They did the deep breathing suit for The Abyss) at a convention and he grumbled about Stan stealing one of his concepts from Masters of the Universe for the Predator costume. The two are very similar, but it's one of those things that hard to prove, but imitation is one of the sincerest forms of flattery.
R.I.P. Stan... by Blanket-Man	Jun 24th, 2008 03:03:40 PM
I watched JP with my enthralled 8-year-old son over the weekend in Stan's memory, and those dinos are still AMAZING. Mr. Winston's work will be be enjoyed for generations to come, no doubt about it.
Great Interview by rogueleader66	Jun 24th, 2008 03:47:13 PM
Thanks Quint, great interview. I still can't believe that Stan is not with us anymore. His contributions to modern cinema are unsurpassed. He was a genius and an innovator, and thank god that he will have cinematic immortality. Once in a great while you have someone like Stan comes along and changes the way movies are made, it's a rare thing, and he should be honored always for what he has done, not just for the movies, but for all of us. RIP Stan.
RIP by Jbreck	Jun 24th, 2008 08:53:39 PM
I'm still kinda in shock. I think I'll see the next film come out with "creatures by Stan Winston" any second know, and this will just be a nightmare. AICN, thanks for covering this. You guys pretty much alone have helped us say goodbye, and really paid attention to the hard working artist he was. This is the kind of stuff that should be on TV, not bleach blonde dye job drug disaster #1459.
Thanks Quint by Will_Meekin	Jun 25th, 2008 12:58:06 PM
Great questions. This is the kind of piece that brings me back to AICN. I don't mean any offense, but is there a reason you (all?), with the exception of Harry, don't just go by your given names? Wm.
RIP Stan by redrain85	Jul 5th, 2008 09:27:17 AM
You were a legend in your field. Looking forward to see what you came up with on your last work, for T4.

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Quint talks with Stan Winston Studios' Shane Mahan and Lindsay Macgowan about Stan, his films and the future of the Studios

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