# Larry Cuba [Wikipedia Link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Cuba) ( – ) ## Description American animator working in algorithmic, vector-based computer animation, who programmed the Death Star trench-run targeting sequence for *Star Wars* (1977) before making his own abstract algorithmic films, including *3/78 (Objects and Transformations)* (1978) and *Calculated Movements* (1985). ## Key Tags #visual-music #computer-animation ## Essential Works - Death Star trench-run sequence, *Star Wars* (1977) - early feature-film use of vector computer graphics, programmed by Cuba - [3/78 (Objects and Transformations)](https://vimeo.com/719688071) (1978) - abstract algorithmic animation built from simple geometric transformations - [Calculated Movements](https://vimeo.com/719689551) (1985) - mature work in his algorithmic, rule-based animation practice ## Details Studied at CalArts with [[John Whitney Sr.]], whose harmonic, algorithmic approach to computer motion Cuba extended into his own rule-based practice using a Datamax UV-1 vector display. His work sits within the visual-music/computer-animation lineage traced in [[Gene Youngblood]]'s [[Expanded Cinema]]. ### Concepts and Theories - [[Computer Art]] - extended algorithmic, rule-based computer animation into a mature independent practice ### Creative and Technical Practices %% none yet %% ### Collaborators - [[John Whitney Sr.]] - studied with Whitney at CalArts and extended his algorithmic, harmonic approach to computer motion ### Institutional Affiliations and Associated Movements %% none yet %% ## References ### Primary Sources Bibliography Cuba, Larry, director. *Calculated Movements*. 1985. Mature work in his algorithmic, rule-based animation practice. ### Secondary Sources Bibliography Sito, Tom. *Moving Innovation: A History of Computer Animation*. MIT Press, 2013. History of computer animation covering the CalArts/Whitney-lineage algorithmic animators including Cuba's generation.