Whit Norris Posted October 26, 2013 Report Share Posted October 26, 2013 Crew that is very sad to hear. I never worked with him either but I have had many friends that did. Hal brought so much to the industry. He performed almost every type of stunt that was ever filmed. He was the highest paid stuntman of all time. He founded Stunts Unlimited, created the Shot Maker insert car as well as many other devices and rigs to do stunts. Hal raced in the outlaw race across the country called the "Cannonball Run" which he went on to make a movie about. He tried to break the land speed record several times. Hal brought sponsors and advertising to NASCAR that helped the sport become what it is today. He owned the Skoal Bandit Team. A very sad day for Hollywood he made so many actors and stars larger than life with all of his stunts. Whit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al mcguire Posted October 26, 2013 Report Share Posted October 26, 2013 Hal with his hearing aids was the best friend to sound ever. He would regularly close down craft services if he heard the jabber, and w/ those hearing aids he always heard it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefilosa Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 I did have a chance to work with Hal Needham back in the mid-80s. It was a commercial shoot on the UCLA campus. As our producer was fond of playing with the latest-greatest, we had one of Hal's ShotMakers at our disposal, and he came out to supervise. It was borne out of his thinking out of the box - The truck was awesome, an his enthusiasm for making the shot work matched the awesome-inity. Here is a short clip of his groundbreaking invention. If I am not mistaken, the only, barely-slightly-similar mobile arm around back then was the Chapman Titan, and there was no opportunity to do anything but fly a camera with it - and certainly not at the speeds allowed by the Shotmaker, if it was even driveable at all. http://youtu.be/FDkR9j-QKJI Does anyone know if these are still being used / popular out on the west coast? MF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atheisticmystic Posted November 28, 2013 Report Share Posted November 28, 2013 My father, Stanley Merle Deichen, "Big Red Cloud", passed away Tuesday night. He was in the hospital for minor surgery, developed complications, and died suddenly after showing some improvement. I got a call from my stepmom saying my dad asked that I come to the hospital right away so he could ask my advice about dialysis. I indeed rushed, as my father has never sought my council on a single issue ever. I instinctively knew that he was scared and that something was wrong. He was getting an X-ray when I arrived, and not ten minutes later we were being told he had suffered sudden cardiac arrest. I was only able to say goodbye to his unrecognizable body, the man I love as my father had already gone. Even though I'm 48, I still need him. Love you Dad, Little Red Cloud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted November 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2013 My condolences to you and your family Steven. Never a way to prepare for the final chapter. Always a sucker punch. I hope you are able to keep him alive in your memories and deeds. CrewC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted November 28, 2013 Report Share Posted November 28, 2013 My sincere condolences, Steven. So sorry about your loss. May sharing memories with those closest to you be of comfort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted November 28, 2013 Report Share Posted November 28, 2013 So sorry to hear this... and you always need your parents, sometimes we are fortunate to have them for a very, very long time, sometimes this is not the case. It is always a huge loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Waelder Posted November 28, 2013 Report Share Posted November 28, 2013 I am so sorry to hear this. You are in our thoughts, Steve. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al mcguire Posted November 28, 2013 Report Share Posted November 28, 2013 So sorry, Steven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bondelev Posted November 29, 2013 Report Share Posted November 29, 2013 Sorry for your loss Steven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchman Posted November 29, 2013 Report Share Posted November 29, 2013 That's aweful. My condolences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_bollard Posted November 29, 2013 Report Share Posted November 29, 2013 Sorry that you have lost him. Treasure the time you had with him. I have lost (strange way to say it, really) both my parents. My dad had been unwell for some time, I was seeing him every few days, so I felt I had a chance to say goodbye. My mum was hit by a car while she was taking her early morning walk, something she really enjoyed. So I struggled with the sudden loss. It took years before I got out of the mental habit of thinking "I'll call mum after work to talk to her about 'this thing' that happened during my day". Nothing I can say that will really make it any easier for you - time, though, will help. Take it easy and talk about how you are feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollandaudio Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Sorry Steven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramallo Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 My condolences Steven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormadeaudio Posted December 1, 2013 Report Share Posted December 1, 2013 Steven, I'm sorry to hear about your Dad -- I can only imagine what you're feeling from hour to hour, day to day... hang in there Brother. ~tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Visser Posted December 1, 2013 Report Share Posted December 1, 2013 My thoughts with you brother, sending warm aloha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whit Norris Posted December 1, 2013 Report Share Posted December 1, 2013 Hey Steven, Sorry for your loss. You are in mine and Kathy's prayers. Whit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted December 1, 2013 Report Share Posted December 1, 2013 Very sad news, Steven! Hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredS Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 My heart is with you, Steven. My dad's has been gone twenty years, but rarely a week goes by I don't have a moment when I realize something he taught me just shaped my thought or action. That's been his legacy for me, and it sounds like yours will be awaiting you as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ze Frias Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 My most sincere condolences to you and yours, Steven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefilosa Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Quite a list of musicians have left us last year - And I was completely unaware of Alvin Lee's passing - one of my longtime favorite musicians. I just caught this video, and thought it needed some additional airtime. http://bcove.me/rb39t6km MF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berniebeaudry Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 I'm so sorry for you loss Steven! Hang on to the good memories and all that you learned from him. Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Miramontes Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Brother Steven, I'm sorry to hear about your loss and can sympathize with you as I'm sitting here next to my father in his final days. My Father was my best friend, my best man at my wedding, and my son is named after him. I know how difficult it must be for you and wish you all the best!! I've always dreaded when this day would come and so I'm not sure what's better, having him pass away quickly or watching him fade away. I hope your Father was at peace in his final moments and that your family remains strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Miramontes Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 RIP Pop, You were my best friend and will always be in my heart. I love you Dad and will miss you so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 condolences, Michael. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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