Envisioning '2001' Without HAL: Douglas Trumbull and Michael Benson

On April 22, 2020, Museum of the Moving Image's Director of Curatorial Affairs Barbara Miller presented a newly rediscovered storyboard sequence for "2001: A Space Odyssey" from the Museum’s collection, and moderated a discussion with visual effects legend and director Douglas Trumbull, and Michael Benson, author of "Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece."
Update: The exhibition "Envisioning 2001: Stanley Kubrick's Space Odyssey" is on view at the Museum, April 30-September 27, 2021. More information at movingimage.us
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Thank you!

[@roquefortfiles]

Love Doug. Huge inspiration. So sad he's gone

[@jimrohrich2625]

Agree. Love his work.

[@randynopasri]

Amazing gem to an iconic film, top marks ~ !

[@sclogse1]

I'm here to push for a new Taschen book to be created based on Anthony Masters and his production design work for 2001. The incredible sets in this film, detailed like never before, created a visceral experience that had enormous power over the effect the film had on the audience. This cannot be overstated. Technology became hypnotic. It's time for a book about Masters and 2001. Some years ago I mentioned to Mr. Trumbull that a Taschen book should be made that has the artwork of his, James Cameron's, and RIdley Scott's. It seem such an obvious thing to do.

[@troubadour723]

Here's hoping that some future home video edition will have both Trumbull and Richter doing commentary. The edition I own has Dullea and Lockwood doing commentary, but Richter has some great insights to share about the Dawn of Man sequence (which is one of the most impressive achievements in the film), and of course Doug Trumbull could go into a lot of detail about the effects, and how they related to his own film of Silent Running, which is another classic of the era. Thanks again for hosting this event and posting it here on KZbin! Stay safe!

[@jeff__w]

“Well, one of the other little stories behind HAL’s brain and the death of HAL, which I think is a beautiful little story, is that Kubrick had a really profoundly intense sense for mechanisms and technology. And he was determined that every time one of those little slabs of memory would come out, it would come out perfectly smoothly. Every one was on an individual motor and an individual switch. Because I’m sure some grip said [Henry Travers-like voice], ‘Well, Stanley, just let me know and I’ll shove it out for you.’ But, no, no, it’s got to go [presumably makes a slow, smooth motion off camera]-it’s that inexorable kind of slow pacing that pervades the whole movie that is really quite stunningly beautiful of itself.” -Douglas Trumbull 59:50

[@AlanCanon2222]

That is a helluva effect. I like that he skips a couple (as in the novel): it's a callback to the lip-reading scene, when they reflect that they can't turn all of HAL off, they have to leave the purely automatic and regulatory systems intact. That's a plot point in Clarke's novel, as well, so it's a great case of show-don't-tell (if that's why Dave skips a block or two).

[@allenjones3130]

Rest in peace, Doug Trumbull.

[@WarrenFahyAuthor]

Wow, how great! Thanks, you guys.

[@ShortRound42]

Hope they publish the storyboards soon.

[@alikus7]

Amazing, but where is the material for the 6 months of work Con Pederson (and others certainly) put into the "extraterrestrial sequence" , omitted from the film?

[@andrewmackenna568]

As much as Kubrick is fascinating to me, Michael Benson's ''Space Odyssey...Making of a Masterpiece" (2018) is a heartbreaking and dark read; I would recommend it along with Alex Eisentein's essay ''2001...Explained". My admiration and sympathy are with Douglas Trumbull who, if so, endured verbal abuse and professional disrespect during and long after the production; from a striving yet deeply insecure, altruistic yet equally egotistic Director. 2001 was the Olympus to the ''pit'' of Dr. Strangelove. Kubrick's motivation exploited the politico/economic forces of Anglo-America in a haphazard way to create a unique exploration of transcendence. -Christchurch, New Zealand

[@Pimp-Master]

interesting at 51:13 that back in the sixties, the "future" had already arrived then departed. Now in the "real" future, we're going back to medieval days. I wonder if it's us humans who are the real time travelers?

[@stevejordan7275]

42:45 "Why would you have this ridiculously vulnerable hose connecting the helmet to the oxygen pack...?" Turns out next-generation suits may use mechanical counterpressure; the only place you need to send oxygen is the helmet.

[@fiefenduddch]

good to see Douglas again... wasn't there a movie project of him? I remember some time ago that he was planning another sci-fi-movie... sure, strange times actual. He is my hero, so great ideas and so many wow-moments in his movies and all about so much soul, unlike today... God bless you!

[@jimrohrich2625]

Yes, read the same thing about a few sci fi projects he was tied too. Nothing real specific unfortunately.