From the optical printer to Hollywood
O'Neill mastered the optical printer on films like 7362, then founded Lookout Mountain Films, which did effects for two Star Wars sequels.
7362 takes live footage and, through optical printing and solarisation, turns it into mirrored abstract shapes. Layering, matting and re-photographing film became O'Neill's signature.
His company, Lookout Mountain Films, put that craft to work on The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and Willow. O'Neill also taught at CalArts, and several students he influenced there, among them Robert Blalack and Adam Beckett, worked on the effects for the first Star Wars.
Documented credits