| Submission declined on 12 December 2023 by Jamiebuba (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
Jeffrey (Jeff) A. Okun (born February 8, 1953)[1] is an American visual effects artist, supervisor, producer, VFX advocate and the Chair of the Visual Effects Society. He is best known for creating “organic-looking" visual effects such as the “ka-thudge” and other portal effects in Stargate (1994).[2] He is also known for his proficiency with ‘invisible’ effects.[3] Okun co-edited two books on VFX.
Early Life edit
Okun was born in Hollywood Hills California. He attended United States International University and studied International Marketing and Management, as well as California State University at Northridge.[4]
Entertainment Career edit
Early Career edit
Jeffrey Okun started as a “go-fer” for Saul Bass.[5] As Bass was editing the NBC 50th anniversary show, he allowed Okun to learn editing by cutting a sequence that had been removed from the program. When the sequence was required again, Okun begged Bass to look at his version before re-cutting the sequence from scratch. Bass approved of Okun’s cut, and Okun was promoted to editor.[5]
Okun developed a large array of filmmaking skills and was given the role of optical effects consultant. In 1983, Okun was offered a position on The Last Starfighter.[5]
Jeff Okun’s credits including editing and visual effects work on music videos artists as Sting, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Janet Jackson, Wayne Newton, Bryan Adams, Amy Grant, Dolly Parton, Prince, Michael Jackson, the Neville Brothers and Rod Stewart, among others.[3]
Visual Effects Career edit
Jeffrey Okun created the "Periwinkle Effect," a VFX technique that allows for underwater blue screens. Okun is also known for creating the "Pencil Effect," a method of predicting a project's the final visual effects count and budget.[3]
Jeff Okun has stated that he likes to hide penguins in his work.[5]
“...we started sticking penguins everywhere because I thought they were funnier. If you look at The Last Samurai, there is a sequence over the Japanese army looking at the Samurais, every one of those Samurais is a penguin. In Blood Diamond, there is a mass exodus, if you look in the bottom right corner, there is a family of penguins. And nobody sees these things! We do it for two reasons. One, I love the optical illusion. I love being able to put something plain and obvious. And I think it’s fun!”[5]
Jeffrey Okun is the inspiration for the character Dr. Brackish Okun in the Roland Emmerich film Independence Day. Emmerich and Okun had previously worked together on Stargate.[6]
Filmography edit
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Alien (American TV Series) |
| 2022 | The End is Nye |
| 2021 | Being the Ricardos |
| 2020 | The Good Lord Bird |
| 2020 | Cosmos: Impossible Worlds |
| 2018 | Alpha |
| 2018 | The Commuter |
| 2017 | Geostorm |
| 2013 | Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters |
| 2012 | Hitchcock |
| 2012 | The Watch |
| 2011 | Red Riding Hood |
| 2010 | Clash of the Titans |
| 2010 | The Pacific |
| 2008 | The Day the Earth Stood Still |
| 2008 | Defiance |
| 2006 | Blood Diamond |
| 2005 | Fantastic Four |
| 2005 | Elizabethtown |
| 2004 | The Perfect Score |
| 2003 | The Last Samurai |
| 2003 | Duplex |
| 2002 | Birds of Prey (Pilot only) |
| 2002 | Death to Smoochy |
| 2001 | Delivering Milo |
| 2000 | Red Planet |
| 2000–2003 | The Drew Carey Show |
| 1999 | Deep Blue Sea |
| 1998 | Sphere |
| 1997 | Lolita |
| 1997 | Mimic |
| 1996 | The Long Kiss Goodnight |
| 1996 | The Crow: City of Angels |
| 1995 | Cutthroat Island |
| 1995 | Last of the Dogmen |
| 1994 | Stargate |
| 1993 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III |
| 1992 | Sleepwalkers |
| 1992 | Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me |
| 1991 | Suburban Commando |
| 1991 | Delirious |
| 1990 | Die Hard 2 |
| 1989 | Wes Craven's Shocker |
| 1984 | The Last Star Fighter |
| 1984 | Quest (Short) |
Visual Effects Society (VES) edit
Okun is the creator and founding chair of the VES Awards Committee and Program (2003-2009).[3] He’s also served as Past Chair, First Vice Chair, and has been a co-chair and served as a member of several VES committees including Strategic Plan Committee, Leadership Initiative Committee, Town Hall Committee, Production Summit Committee, Handbook Committee, Film Festival Committee, Technology Committee, Business Labor and Law Committees.[3] He currently serves as the VES Treasurer.[7]
Authorship edit
Okun has co-edited two books on visual effects with S. Zwereman, The VES Handbook of Visual Effects: Industry Standard VFX Practices and Procedures in 2020,[8] and The VES Handbook of Virtual Production in 2023.[9] Both are designed to be accessible, informative guides to the VFX process.
References edit
- ^ "Jeffrey A. Okun - IMDB". IMDB. December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ Failes, Ian (November 1, 2019). "'Stargate' stories". Befores & Afters. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Jeff Okun, Author at Visual Effects Society". Visual Effects Society. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ "Art of the Title: Jeffrey A. Okun". www.artofthetitle.com. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ a b c d e Alan, McKay (May 9, 2017). "Episode 78 – Jeff Okun – VFX Supervisor – 38 Years in Hollywood". Alan McKay. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ Aberly, Rachel; Engel, Volker (1996). The Making of Independence Day. Harpercollins. p. 45. ISBN 9780061053597.
- ^ "VES Board of Directors". Visual Effects Society. December 9, 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ Okun, Jeffrey A., ed. (2010). The VES handbook of visual effects: industry standard VFX practices and procedures. Media Technology. Oxford: Focal. ISBN 978-0-240-81242-7.
- ^ Okun, Jeffrey A. Okun; Zwerman, Susan, eds. (2023). The VES Handbook of Virtual Production (1st ed.). Focal Press. ISBN 978-1032432649.