April 2024

Batman Voodoo Mostly From Britain

Effects artist Derek Meddings' contributions to many fine Hammer films and the British Thunderbirds and Supercar television series made his name respected abroad, but it was his work on the first three Superman films and in the James Bond series — including Live and Let Die, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker and For Your Eyes Only — which brought him international recognition, and ensured a place with the greatest effects artists of all time. Now Batman soars because of Meddings' breathtaking work. “Whenever I can do an in-camera optical, I do it. One of the reasons is I love to see rushes the day after the job is completed.” This article originally appeared in AC, Dec. 1989. Meddings was hard at work with production designer Anton Furst...more