Howard Anderson, Jr.

Visual Effects Specialist
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

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About
About this interview

In his three-hour Archive interview, Howard Anderson, Jr. (1920-2015) talks about joining his father's company, The Howard Anderson Company, where he and his brother Darrell continued the business of doing titles and special effects for movies. He discusses working on early television series including I Love Lucy and Dragnet. He elaborates on his special effects for Star Trek, where he devised a way to show the Enterprise speed through a field of stars and created the effect for the ship's "transporter." He discusses other shows he worked on until his retirement in 1990. He also talks about the then-current state of the industry and how optical effects compare with the newer digital effects. B-roll consists of photos of some of the optical equipment at the Howard Anderson Company and a photo of the Starship Enterprise. Karen Herman conducted the interview on July 21, 2005 in Oxnard, CA.

"We had probably 18 weekly TV shows that we did the titles and optical work on, in addition to several features. It gets to be sort of a factory kind of an operation once the pilot is done and the approvals have been made on all the styles. But then you turn her over and let her run."

People Talking About ...
Howard Anderson, Jr.
Highlights
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Andy Griffith Show
Howard Anderson Jr. on doing titles for I Love Lucy 
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Dick Van Dyke Show
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening sequence for Star Trek
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for My Favorite Martian
Full Interview

Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on the first time he saw television
On shooting inserts and titles for his father's movie company; on lettering in titles; on doing titles for I Love Lucy

Chapter 2
On working with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on I Love Lucy; on editing with three cameras on I Love Lucy; on working on The Lucy Show
On creating the opening titles for The Addams Family, The Andy Griffith Show, and The Beverly Hillbillies; on creating the opening titles for Daniel Boone, Dragnet, and The Dick Van Dyke Show; on creating the opening titles for The Fugitive, Get Smart, and I Spy

Chapter 3
On creating the opening titles for The Invaders, Mission: Impossible, and Mod Squad; on creating the opening titles for My Favorite Martian, My Three Sons, and My World and Welcome to It
On creating the opening titles for That Girl, The Twilight Zone and Outer Limits; on creating the opening titles for The Untouchables and Star Trek

Chapter 4
On creating special effects and titles for Star Trek; on the opening sequence of Star Trek; on working with Gene Roddenberry on the show
On creating special effects for Star Trek; on creating the effects for the different planets on Star Trek
On working with the cast and crew of Star Trek; on the legacy of his work on Star Trek; on creating effects for the feature film "Jack the Giant Killer"

Chapter 5
On creating effects for the feature films "Jack the Giant Killer" and "Tobruk"; on creating opening titles for The Brady Bunch, Charlie's Angels and Happy Days
On creating opening titles for Kung Fu, Little House on the Prairi e and Bonanza; on creating the opening titles for Love Boat, Love American Style and Wonder Woman; on creating the opening titles for Cheers and Dynasty; on his retirement in 1990

Chapter 6
On advice to aspiring visual effects professionals; on his ability to work on many projects simultaneously; on how the business and audience expectations have changed since he started in the industry
On the difference between working in film and in television; on working with editors, cinematographers and directors; on career highlights and regrets and how he'd like to be remembered
On B-roll of pictures from Howard Anderson Jr's career: childhood picture, circa 1926; filming a miniature for a feature at Malibu Beach; in the Navy circa 1945; with an early optical printer circa 1946; with Paul Newman at Zuma Beach; photograph of Star Trek's Enterprise; a "line-up" person inspecting 35 millimeter film; projection room; optical printer with operator; line-up room at optical department; Anderson's son with an optical printer; Howard Anderson Jr. with a camera 
Shows

Addams Family, The

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Addams Family

Andy Griffith Show, The

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Andy Griffith Show

Beverly Hillbillies, The

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Beverly Hillbillies

Bonanza

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Little House on the Prairie and working on Bonanza

Brady Bunch, The

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Brady Bunch

Charlie's Angels

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles and special effects for Charlie's Angels

Cheers

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Cheers

Daniel Boone

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Daniel Boone

Dick Van Dyke Show, The

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Dick Van Dyke Show

Dragnet

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Dragnet

Dynasty

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Dynasty

Fugitive, The

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Fugitive

George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, The

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show and various other shows

Get Smart

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Get Smart

Happy Days

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Happy Days

I Love Lucy

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Howard Anderson Jr. on doing titles for I Love Lucy 
Howard Anderson Jr. on working with Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy
Howard Anderson Jr. on editing with three cameras on I Love Lucy

I Spy

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for I Spy

Invaders, The

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Invaders

Kung Fu

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Kung Fu

Little House on the Prairie

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Little House on the Prairie and working on Bonanza

Love Boat, The

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Love Boat

Love, American Style

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Love, American Style

Lucy Show, The

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening for The Lucy Show

Mission: Impossible

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Mission: Impossible

Mod Squad, The

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Mod Squad

My Favorite Martian

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for My Favorite Martian

My Three Sons

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for My Three Sons

My World ... and Welcome to it

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for My World and Welcome to It

Outer Limits, The (1963-65)

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Outer Limits and The Twilight Zone

Star Trek

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles and special effects for Star Trek  (Part 1)
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating special effects and titles for Star Trek
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening sequence for Star Trek
Howard Anderson Jr. on working with Gene Roddenberry on Star Trek
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating special effects for Star Trek
Howard Anderson Jr. on the biggest challenge of creating Star Trek special effects
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the effects for the different planets on Star Trek
Howard Anderson Jr. on working with the cast and crew of Star Trek
Howard Anderson Jr. on the legacy of his work on Star Trek

That Girl

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for That Girl

Twilight Zone, The

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Outer Limits and The Twilight Zone

Untouchables, The

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Untouchables

Wonder Woman

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Wonder Woman
Topics

Advice

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Howard Anderson Jr. on advice to aspiring visual effects professionals 

Historic Events and Social Change

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Howard Anderson Jr. on his military service 

Pop Culture

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening sequence for Star Trek
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Brady Bunch
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Cheers

Technological Innovation

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Howard Anderson Jr. on the advent of color

Television Industry

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Howard Anderson Jr. on advice to aspiring visual effects professionals 
Howard Anderson Jr. on how the business changed since he started

War

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Howard Anderson Jr. on his military service 

World War II

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Howard Anderson Jr. on his military service 
Professions

Post-Production Professionals

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Howard Anderson Jr. on his process for making a title card 
Howard Anderson Jr. on his style
Howard Anderson Jr. on advice to aspiring visual effects professionals 
Howard Anderson Jr. on the epitome of a special effect
Howard Anderson Jr. on working with editors, cinematographers, and directors

Special Effects Creator

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Howard Anderson Jr. on his style
Howard Anderson Jr. on advice to aspiring visual effects professionals 
Howard Anderson Jr. on the epitome of a special effect
Howard Anderson Jr. on working with editors, cinematographers, and directors

Title Designer

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Howard Anderson Jr. on his process for making a title card 
Howard Anderson Jr. on his style
Howard Anderson Jr. on advice to aspiring visual effects professionals 
Howard Anderson Jr. on working with editors, cinematographers, and directors
Genres

Adventure/Espionage Series

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Wonder Woman

Comedy Series

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show  and various other shows
Howard Anderson Jr. on doing titles for I Love Lucy
Howard Anderson Jr. on working with Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy  (Part 2)
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening for The Lucy Show
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Addams Family
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Andy Griffith Show
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Beverly Hillbillies
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Dick Van Dyke Show
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Get Smart
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for My Favorite Martian
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for My Three Sons
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for My World and Welcome to It
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for That Girl
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Brady Bunch
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Happy Days
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Love, American Style
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Love Boat
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Cheers

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

View Genre
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Dragnet
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Fugitive
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for I Spy
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Mission: Impossible
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Mod Squad
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Untouchables
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles and special effects for Charlie's Angels

Daytime/Primetime Serials

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Dynasty

Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Invaders
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Outer Limits  and The Twilight Zone
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles and special effects for Star Trek  (Part 1)
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating special effects and titles for Star Trek (Part 2)

Western Series

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Daniel Boone
Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Little House on the Prairie  and working on Bonanza
People

Desi Arnaz

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Howard Anderson Jr. on working with Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy

Lucille Ball

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Howard Anderson Jr. on working with Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy

Dann Cahn

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Howard Anderson Jr. on editing with three cameras on I Love Lucy

Sheldon Leonard

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for The Andy Griffith Show

Jess Oppenheimer

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Howard Anderson Jr. on working with Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy

Gene Roddenberry

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Howard Anderson Jr. on working with Gene Roddenberry on Star Trek

Jack Webb

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Howard Anderson Jr. on creating the opening titles for Dragnet

Billy Wilder

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Howard Anderson Jr. on working with the director Billy Wilder

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