Ellenshaw, Harrison

Harrison Ellenshaw

Photograph from the Visual Society (Ron Wolfson)

Harrison Ellenshaw (born Peter S. Ellenshaw, Jr.) was born on July 20, 1945, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, US.  He is the son of Disney Legend, artist Peter S. Ellenshaw, Sr.

Ellenshaw attended Whittier College, Whittier, CA, and earned a psychology degree in 1964.  From about 1966 to 1969 Ellenshaw spent time as an officer in the US Navy (his father was a Naval pilot in the UK), in 1970 Harrison (then P.S. Ellenshaw) joined Disney Studios as Alan Maley's matte painting apprentice and when Maley left Disney Ellenshaw was made the department head, he worked for Disney until 1979.  During this time he designed and implemented the first motion control matte stand, MatteSCAN, which was first put to use on The Black Hole.

He continued from there on several major motion pictures and from 1990 - 1996 he returned to Disney to head their independent effects facility, Buena Vista Visual Effects (BVVE).  BVVE, during this period, was responsible for creating visual effects shots for more than 40 feature films.  Additionally, Ellenshaw headed Buena Vista Imaging which developed titles, trailers, and optical effects; headed the film services divisions of Park Films and Library Restoration at the Walt Disney Studios (which restored Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs).

From 1999 - 2001 Ellenshaw was the supervisor of all effects for Renaissance Pictures TV projects, which includes Hercules and Xena.

Ellenshaw has taught film courses/workshops domestically and internationally such as Visual Effects Production and Management; Artistry and Technology of the Moving Image; The Perception and Reproduction of Color in Film and Video and Digital Media.

Presently he is working on projects for Ibyx Entertainment.

Ellenshaw's son Michael Ellenshaw is a filmmaker.

Film Actor
In the Beginning: 'Quo Vadis' and the Genesis of the Biblical Epic~2008 (V doc short) - Himself (son of matte artist Peter Ellenshaw)
Oz Tribute: The Art of Imagination~2005 (V doc) - Himself
Making of 'Tron', The ~2002 (V) -  Himself
Star Wars: Episode IV - The Empire Strikes Back~1980 - Rebel Officer (left in top photo with Ralph McQuarrie in the center, and Mike Pangrazio on the right) (man with mustache in bottom photo)

Film Visual Effects
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen~2003 (visual effects sequence consultant)
Escape from L.A.~1996 (executive producer: BVVE)
Wilder Napalm~1993 (visual effects supervisor)
Dave~1993 (visual effects supervisor)
Honey, I Blew Up the Kid~1992 (visual effects supervisor: Buena Vista Visual Effects)
Ghost~1990 (visual effects technical consultant)
Dick Tracy~1990 (visual effects producer)
Millennium~1989 (visual effects consultant)
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace~1987 (visual effects supervisor)
Captain Eo~1986 (visual effects supervisor - Disney theme park)
Something Wicked This Way Comes~1983 (special effects consultant)
Tron~1982 (visual effects supervisor)
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back~1980) (matte painting supervisor)
Watcher in the Woods, The~1980 (visual effects designer: final sequence)
Black Hole, The~1979 (matte artist/effects)
Big Wednesday~1978 (matte artist as P.S. Ellenshaw)
Cat from Outer Space, The~1978 (matte artist as P.S. Ellenshaw)
Pete's Dragon~1977 (matte artist as P.S. Ellenshaw)
Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo~1977 (matte artist as P.S. Ellenshaw)
Star Wars~1977 (matte artist/miniature/optical effects unit) (as P.S. Ellenshaw)
No Deposit, No Return~1976 (uncredited matte artist)
Shaggy D.A., The~1976 (matte artist as P.S. Ellenshaw)
Gus~1976 (matte artist) (as P.S. Ellenshaw)
Man Who Fell to Earth, The~1976 (special photographic effects)
Castaway Cowboy, The~1974 (matte artist as P.S. Ellenshaw)
Bedknobs & Broomsticks~1970 (uncredited assistant matte artist)

Film Director
Dead Silence~1989
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace~1987 (second unit director)

Film Producer
Tron~1982 (associate producer)

Film Thanks
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films~2014 (doc) "Our deepest appreciation"

TV
Movie Magic~1994 - Himself in Forced Perspective: Eye of the Beholder
Vista: The New Magicians~1985 (doc) - Himself
The Disney Family Album~1985 (doc) - Himself in Peter Ellenshaw and Harrison Ellenshaw
Backstage at Disney~1983 (doc) - Himself
Universe (Walter Cronkite)~1982 - Himself in Tronkite
SPFX: The Empire Strikes Back~1980 (doc) - Himself

TV Visual Effects Supervisor (Renaissance Pictures TV projects)
Cleopatra 2525~2000-2001
Jack of All Trades~2000
Young Hercules~1999
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys~1995 (visual effects supervisor: US)
Xena: Warrior Princess~1999-2000 (visual effects supervisor: US)
     Punch Lines
     Them Bones, Them Bones
     Animal Attraction

Live Performances
2004 - Painted a scene from Mary Poppins before the opening reception at Animazing in New York 10/14/04

Awards, Honors, and Nominations
Art Directs Guild:
Rec'd 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award
Academy Awards:
Rec'd 1981 Special Achievement Award for The Empire Strikes Back
Nom 1979 Best Visual Effects for The Black Hole (shared)
BAFTA Awards:
Nom 1983 Best Visual Effects for Tron
Razzie Awards:
Nom 1988 Worst Visual Effects for Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Visual Effects Society Awards:
Rec'd 2007 Lifetime Membership and Founders Award

Miscellany
2003 - Painted a Mickey statue with his father, Peter, and his son, Michael, for Mickey Mouse's 75th birthday

Co-founded the Visual Effects Society

Center for Advanced Television and Film Studies of the American Film Institute - Digital Media Faculty Chair

Member of AMPAS and BAFTRA