|
Biography: Not much biographical information is known about Martin Becker. He graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in Glendale, California, in 1973. He assisted special effects in Part 3, and was subsequently called back to assist or supervise effects for Part 5 through Part 8.
Update:
"GLENDALE — Despite suffering the searing pain of a terminal illness,
special-effects pioneer Martin Becker wanted one last chance to teach
his 6-year-old son how to fly a kite.
So Becker, although struggling with pancreatic cancer in February,
took his son, Michael, to the beach and shared one of their last
father-son moments before dying.
"When he had cancer, he could barely walk because his back hurt so
much," his wife, Diane said. "But he still insisted on getting out and
flying, no matter how much pain he was in. I think he had a strong sense of family values that you can't find in
the movie business too often."
Becker, an innovator in movie and TV special effects who created
"frozen-moment" camera angles popularized in movies like "The Matrix,"
and who designed the first radio-controlled puppet, died Friday. He
was 49.
Becker died at his Glendale home, his wife said.
The lifelong Glendale resident graduated from Columbus Elementary,
Toll Middle and Hoover High schools before earning an associate degree
from Glendale Community College.
Becker, an enthusiast of radio-controlled model airplanes, stumbled
into his Hollywood career after befriending a special-effects artist
at Hansen Dam, where they flew planes together. Through his newfound
connection, he landed a job as a carpenter at Universal Studios.
But Becker's break came when he was asked to operate a
radio-controlled mechanical bird for the movie "Jonathan Livingston
Seagull." He also worked on special effects for such movies and TV
shows as "Go," "Star Trek" and the "Friday the 13th" series. His
20-year-old company also won awards for commercials, some of which
have aired during Super Bowls.
In addition, Becker designed and operated a remote-controlled Kermit
the Frog riding a bicycle in "The Muppet Movie," It was the first time
a full-bodied puppet was filmed without using strings, family said.
His company also created the first movie tornado by using an oversized
propeller.
Reel Efx, started by David Lopez and Becker, specializes in creating mechanical effects for national commercial campaigns. The company was a pioneer in "frozen moment" multi-camera technology.
It created a photographable man-made tornado that has been used in TV shows and commercials and is used on the "Twister" attraction at Universal Studios Florida. The company also created a man-made fire tornado (used by magician David Copperfield), as well as a high-speed wind machine and industry-standard diffusion hazers.
"He was very creative and outgoing, and he was willing to try new things that people
wouldn't think of or go far enough [to create]." - L.A. Times
Special Effects Filmography
Go (1999)
The Courtyard (1995)
How to Make an American Quilt (1995)
Letter to My Killer (1995)
Suburban Commando (1991)
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)
Mac and Me (1988)
Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988)
Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986)
Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)
April Fool's Day (1986)
Bachelor Party (1984)
The Man Who Wasn't There (1983)
Friday the 13th Part 3: 3D (1982)
Where Is He Now?: Martin Becker passed away August 13th, 2024, from pancreatic cancer.
| 
