Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1512164
1 5 2 P E R S P E C T I V E | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 M I L E S T O N E S Joseph Musso 1941-2023 B Y D A V I D M O R O N G , E D I T O R ADG Lifetime Award winner Joseph Musso passed away on September 14, 2023. An accomplished and prolific Illustrator and storyboard artist, Musso worked on such classic films as Torn Curtain, The Towering Inferno, The Phantom of the Opera, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Star Trek: First Contact, Dick Tracy, Naked Gun 33 1/3, In the Heat of the Night, Basic Instinct, Flags of Our Fathers, American Me, Space Cowboys and The Hateful Eight. Musso also had a long history of service to his craft, having served as President of Local 790 and as Chair of the Illustrators and Matte Artists Council at Local 800. He also served on the Board of Directors at Local 800 for many years. After graduating from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, with a bachelor of fine arts degree, Musso served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps, before starting at Warner Bros. Studios in November of 1964 on Frank Sinatra's production of Marriage on the Rocks. His early years were spent painting backdrops and matte paintings. before moving on to specializing in production illustration and storyboards. His career spanned 46 years and the transition from matte painting to CGI techniques. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Musso was passionate about historical research, particularly on the topic of The Alamo, James Bowie, as well as the Mexican army during the Texas Revolution (1835-36). He is responsible for correcting information about James Bowie's birthplace with the Texas State Historical Association. With the news of his death came an outpouring of tributes to his talent and recollections of his kindness toward those he worked with. Along with his tremendous skill, he showed enormous generosity to those he could mentor, and his support for the Guild and its members is a legacy that will be long remembered. A. JOSEPH MUSSO RECEIVING THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD B. ILLUSTRATION FOR ESCAPE FROM L.A. C. STORYBOARD FOR THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. A B C