Milton Altman

Altman, Milton
Milton Altman, 83, of Los Angeles, California, passed away July 6, 2003 following a long fought struggle with Parkinson's disease. Milton Altman was born on January 13, 1920, in Hungary, the son of the late Morris Altman and Rose Bleier. He studied art in the local schools of his native country in and around the capital city of Budapest. He came to the United States in 1936, settling briefly in New York City where he continued his art studies and started the launch of his professional career. His next move brought him to Hollywood, California in 1941. Following more than three years of service in the U.S. Air Force, he returned to Hollywood in 1946 and resumed his artistic career at various motion picture studios as a specialist in visual effects and graphic design. This ultimately groomed him for joining NBC Studios in 1948 where he was hired to organize and head their new Graphic Arts Department in Hollywood. He was responsible for many special effects devices and techniques, including the renowned Chroma Key (Blue Screen) process, which earned him an Emmy nomination by the National Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was an instrumental figure in the development of color television as he conducted extensive experimentation and development programs with RCA-NBC in all phases of color television production. In 1960, he was named as Manager of Design and Creative Operations for the NBC Television Network on the West Coast. In 1983 he was named Director of Studio Operations to head the Sunset Gower Studios, overseeing all technical, staging, and production areas at the new facility. After 39 years of devoted service to NBC, he retired in 1987. Milton Altman was an active member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), the Directors Guild of America, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, and the Los Angeles County Art Museum. Throughout his career, he lectured at UCLA and USC, wrote and presented papers for SMPTE conferences, made numerous talks and presentations on color television and special effects before professional and industry groups in the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America. He appeared on a special telecast by the BBC on the subject of color, and also produced and directed a number of presentations on new production techniques dealing with art direction (scenic design), costuming, make-up, film, lighting, graphic arts, and visual special effects for color television. His inventions, creations, and ideas contributed greatly towards television broadcasting's continued progress and development. His technological, artistic, and creative brilliance earned him the highest of praise and recognition amongst his colleagues at every level. He will be sorely missed, but will live on in the many hearts of those that he touched. He is survived by many loving family members and adoring friends; his son, Oliver Altman (Raquelle); his sister, Martha Wolf, and his brother, Max Altman. Services will be held on Sunday, July 13th, at 11:00 A.M., at Groman Eden Memorial Park, 11500 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills, CA 91345. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Milton's honor to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, Inc., 1250 Hylan Blvd., Suite 4B, Staten Island, NY 10305.