Robert Abel (March 10, 1937 – September 23, 2001) was an American pioneer in visual effects, computer animation and interactive media, best known for the work of his company, Robert Abel and Associates.
Born in Cleveland, he received degrees in Design and Film from UCLA. He began his work in computer graphics in the 1950s, as an apprentice to John Whitney.In the 1960s and early 1970s, Abel wrote or directed several films, including The Making of the President, 1968, Elvis on Tour and Let the Good Times Roll.
In 1971, Abel and Con Pederson founded Robert Abel and Associates (RA&A), creating slit-scan effects and using motion-controlled cameras for television commercials and films. RA&A began using Evans & Sutherland computers to previsualize their effects; this led to the creation of the trailer for The Black Hole, and the development of their own software for digitally animating films (including Tron).Abel and Associates was contracted to provide Paramount Pictures the special effects for the first Star Trek movie, but was not able to deliver them, and was taken off the film.In 1984, Robert Abel and Associates produced a commercial named Brilliance for the Canned Food Information Council for airing during the Super Bowl XIX telecast. It featured a sexy robot with reflective environment mapping and human-like motion.Abel & Associates closed in 1987 following an ill-fated merger with now defunct Omnibus Computer Graphics, Inc., a company which had been based in Toronto.
In the 1990s, Abel founded Synapse Technologies, an early interactive media company, which produced pioneering educational projects for IBM, including "Columbus: Discovery, Encounter and Beyond" and "Evolution/Revolution: The World from 1890-1930".
He received numerous honors, including a Golden Globe Award (for Elvis on Tour), 2 Emmy Awards, and 33 Clios.
Abel died from complications following a myocardial infarction at the age of 64.Abel's film By the Sea, made with Pat O'Neill, was preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2007.
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Some of their strengths
Robert J. Abel has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Independent, Analytical, Innovative, Optimistic, Brave, Energetic, and Adventurous.
Soulful and Understanding
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Robert J. Abel is someone who is a soulful, understanding, and conscious person, who combines smarts with a deep talent for creativity and imagination. A person who is a bit of a "lone wolf".
Passionate and Intense
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Robert J. Abel well know them as someone who can be passionate, proud, and intense, like the sun or a blazing fire.
Active and Ambitious
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Robert J. Abel as someone who is active, ambitious, bold, and courageous.
A person who is driven and organized, is wise with money, who knows how to tell a good story, likes physical activity, and who loves learning.
Exacting and Achievement-oriented
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Robert J. Abel is someone who has very high expectations for people, and who can be extremely focused on achieving goals and objectives.
They are also someone who is confident and creative, and who has a love for starting new projects, inventing new things, and giving back to the community.
Creative and Imaginative
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Robert J. Abel tends to be someone who is sensitive, imaginative, creative, and somewhat of a dreamer. Who is intuitive and compassionate, and who has a friendly, easygoing, calming and relaxing effect on people and for whom friends and family mean the world.
Some of Robert J. Abel's challenges
While Robert J. Abel has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Robert J. Abel can be Impulsive, Indecisive, Unrealistic, Rebellious, Emotionally Distant, Short-tempered, and Aggressive.
Indecisive and Unrealistic
One of Robert J. Abel's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as indecisive and unrealistic.
Robert J. Abel must also exercise caution as they can have difficulty dealing with responsibility, authority, or criticism.
Impulsive and Aggressive
Robert J. Abel is someone who can be impulsive, aggressive, and confrontational, can have difficulty listening to others, be moody and high strung, have conflict with authority figures, be too judgmental of others, and who can be overindulgent and extravagant.
Lethargic and Unrealistic
Finally, Robert J. Abel also can be too soft, lazy and lethargic, and who can have difficulty finding others who share a similarly dreamy outlook on life.
