John Knoll

John Knoll

Born: October 6, 1962
in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
John Knoll (born October 6, 1962) is an American visual effects supervisor and chief creative officer (CCO) at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). One of the original creators of Adobe Photoshop (along with his brother, Thomas Knoll), he has also worked as visual effects supervisor on the Star Wars prequels and the 1997 special editions of the original trilogy. He also served as ILM's visual effects supervisor for Star Trek Generations and Star Trek: First Contact, as well as the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Along with Hal Hickel, Charles Gibson and Allen Hall, Knoll and the trio's work on Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest earned them the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

Knoll has been praised by directors James Cameron, Gore Verbinski, Guillermo del Toro, and Brad Bird. Del Toro, who worked with Knoll for the first time on Pacific Rim, stated "He basically has the heart of a kid and the mind of a scientist, and that's a great combination."

Knoll is also the inventor of Knoll Light Factory, a lens flare generating software inspired by his work at Industrial Light and Magic.

Movies for John Knoll...

Title: Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian
Character: Self
Released: May 4, 2020
Type: TV
Executive producer Jon Favreau invites the cast and crew of The Mandalorian to share an unprecedented look at the making of the series. Each chapter explores a different facet of the first live-action Star Wars television show through interviews, never-before-seen footage, and roundtable conversations hosted by Favreau himself.
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Title: Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian
Character: Self - ILM Visual Effects Supervisor
Released: May 4, 2020
Type: TV
Executive producer Jon Favreau invites the cast and crew of The Mandalorian to share an unprecedented look at the making of the series. Each chapter explores a different facet of the first live-action Star Wars television show through interviews, never-before-seen footage, and roundtable conversations hosted by Favreau himself.
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Star Wars : La Révolution Visuelle
Title: Star Wars : La Révolution Visuelle
Released: May 4, 2020
Type: Movie
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A Final Cut for Orson: 40 Years in the Making
Title: A Final Cut for Orson: 40 Years in the Making
Character: Self - Visual Effects Supervisor
Released: September 1, 2018
Type: Movie
A glimpse behind the scenes into the complicated process of recovering and completing Orson Welles' final film The Other Side of the Wind.
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The Stories: The Making of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'
Title: The Stories: The Making of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'
Character: Himself
Released: April 4, 2017
Type: Movie
The Making of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'
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The Digital Artistry of Pacific Rim
Title: The Digital Artistry of Pacific Rim
Character: Self
Released: October 15, 2013
Type: Movie
Set the large tasks of putting life into the 2D artistic renderings Gillaume created. See how ILM craftsmen put life into the inspired digital creatures.
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Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible
Title: Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible
Character: Self
Released: November 12, 2010
Type: Movie
Leslie Iwerks' documentary takes audiences behind the scenes at ILM with in depth interviews with some of the company's top talent and showcases never before seen footage highlighting many of their pioneering milestones. From creating the first ever computer generated character in a feature film to the latest advancements in visual effects for film franchises like Transformers and Iron Man, ILM has created some of the most memorable movie moments in recent history.
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Star Wars: Within a Minute - The Making of Episode III
Title: Star Wars: Within a Minute - The Making of Episode III
Character: Self
Released: November 1, 2005
Type: Movie
This documentary offers a glimpse into all the people, departments, and work that went into creating the film, specifically, the fight between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Featured on the 2-Disc DVD for Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
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Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Title: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Character: Fire Ship Pilot (uncredited)
Released: May 17, 2005
Type: Movie
The evil Darth Sidious enacts his final plan for unlimited power -- and the heroic Jedi Anakin Skywalker must choose a side.
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An Epic At Sea: The Making of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Title: An Epic At Sea: The Making of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Character: Self
Released: December 2, 2003
Type: Movie
Behind the scenes documentary of the making of Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, featuring behind the scenes footage, interviews with Cast and crew and revives some previously unknown background information.
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No Feat But What We Make: 'Terminator 2' and the Rise of Digital Effects
Title: No Feat But What We Make: 'Terminator 2' and the Rise of Digital Effects
Released: June 3, 2003
Type: Movie
A look at the digital effects in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
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From Puppets to Pixels: Digital Characters in 'Episode II'
Title: From Puppets to Pixels: Digital Characters in 'Episode II'
Character: Self
Released: November 12, 2002
Type: Movie
For Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002), there were to be many more visual effects than in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999). This documentary shows many VFX meetings between George Lucas and ILM. Many of these meetings focus around the creation of a completely digital Yoda, used for the first time in the Star Wars films.
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From Star Wars to Star Wars: The Story of Industrial Light & Magic
Title: From Star Wars to Star Wars: The Story of Industrial Light & Magic
Character: Self
Released: June 15, 1999
Type: Movie
The incredible evolution of George Lucas' special effects dream factory, including an inside look at "Star Wars: Episode One - The Phantom Menace."
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Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Title: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Character: Lt. Rya Kirsch - Bravo 4 / Flag Bearer (uncredited)
Released: May 19, 1999
Type: Movie
Anakin Skywalker, a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.
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Mission: Impossible
Title: Mission: Impossible
Character: Passenger on Train in Tunnel (uncredited)
Released: May 22, 1996
Type: Movie
When Ethan Hunt, the leader of a crack espionage team whose perilous operation has gone awry with no explanation, discovers that a mole has penetrated the CIA, he's surprised to learn that he's the No. 1 suspect. To clear his name, Hunt now must ferret out the real double agent and, in the process, even the score.