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1 2 2 P E R S P E C T I V E | J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 M I L E S T O N E S Greg Jein 1945-2022 B Y B I L L G E O R G E A N D S H A R O N F. L E E , F R I E N D S A N D C O L L E G U E S O F G R E G Greg Jein, the pioneering Model Maker and visual eff ects artist, recently passed away at the age of in his Los Angeles home. Selfadmittingly "in show biz by accident," Greg ein pronounced Gene was fortunate early in his career to be associated with many multitalented industry professionals. t Douglas Trumbull's Future General Corporation, a proected three month assignment as a Model Maker stretched into an month proect and an cademy ward Nomination. Greg's maor contribution to this fi lm, Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind, was the ethereal and iconic Mothership, a virtual city in the sky that rises above Devil's Tower. Currently, this model is housed in the Smithsonian's Stephen F. azy Center. second visual eff ects Oscar nomination was for overseeing the incredible miniature work on Mr. Spielberg's 1941. Greg was also nominated for his work on television, including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Angels in America. For over three decades, Greg built and supervised the building of models and miniatures for a wide range of fi lm and television proects in addition to taking assignments from defense contractors such as Lockheed and ughes ircraft. Greg worked with Industrial Light Magic, oss Film Corporation, alt Disney Imagineering and many other production houses. Describing himself as a "unkman," Greg spent most of his time between proects restoring old motion picture and television props and pursuing his passion for collecting. One of his artifacts, the miniature submarine from Fantastic Voyage, has toured with the Smithsonian Institute Exhibits Service in their program, "esterday's Tomorrows Past isions of the merican Future." The Smithsonian has displayed a large selection of his Star Trek original series props. Greg was a member of the cademy of Motion Picture rts and Sciences, serving on the isual Eff ects Steering Committee, as well as a participant in the isiting rtists Program. e appeared on Movie Magic and on the highly acclaimed PS program, The Eddie Files. e was a member of the rt Directors Guild Local as a Set Design Model Maker. ein was wellknown in the industry for having a keen eye for young talent, hiring future award winning visual eff ects artists for their fi rst obs. e especially savored serving as mentor and teacher, championing their careers as he proudly watched their professional traectories. e pushed for the inclusion of female Model Makers in his union, Local . Everyone knew of Greg's incredible talent and warmth, but his modesty didn't allow him to admit to either. Greg was loved by many. is passionate and mischievous spirit will be greatly missed. A. GREG JEIN CIRCA 1987 AT WORK ON BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED (UNIVERSAL, 1987). COURTESY OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS COLLECTION, MARGARET HERRICK LIBRARY, ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES. A