Bernard Wilkie(1920-2002)
- Special Effects
- Visual Effects
- Writer
His initial training was as a draughtsman and an engineer at the air
ministry. He served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
Having gained experience during the war of lighting stage shows, as
well as creating props and scenery, he joined the BBC in 1948, working
with the corporation's research department for six years. In 1954 he
co-founded, with Jack Kine, the BBC Visual
Effects Department, the first TV special effects unit in the world.
Wilkie continued with the BBC for another 24 years, during which the
Visual Effects Department continued to expand in size and expertise,
working on numerous shows of all descriptions. He enjoyed imparting his
knowledge and experience, which included writing a book, The Technique
of Special Effects in Television, which gained worldwide influence and
notoriety in the field, and his appearance on an episode of
Pebble Mill at One (1972)
in December 1973, during which he introduced viewers to some of the
various masks, props and effects his department had been responsible
for.
After leaving the BBC, he moved into writing for German television, where he worked as a comedy scriptwriter and director. After that, he returned to writing for British television. His worldwide reputation as a pioneer of visual effects earned him continued work towards the end of his life, contributing articles to magazines and giving talks.
After leaving the BBC, he moved into writing for German television, where he worked as a comedy scriptwriter and director. After that, he returned to writing for British television. His worldwide reputation as a pioneer of visual effects earned him continued work towards the end of his life, contributing articles to magazines and giving talks.
