By 1986 I was using my then 2 year old Mac Classic to do word processing [with MacWrite], some graphics [with MacPaint], animations [with the brand new VideoWorks from MacroMind] and doing budgets [on the Multiplan spreadsheet software from Microsoft in 1985].  It was the budgeting software that sealed the deal for my first IMAX production job when I took a typed production budget and entered into the ever malleable spreadsheet to show several different production options with the funds available.  I recently found that spreadsheet budget analysis for the SEASONS film in my files and realized that I’d only had a working computer spreadsheet for a few months when I put it to use for that possible job.  It was the beginning of my spreadsheet way of thinking.

MacWorld 1986 Article by Jeffery B. Young    Photo by George Steinmetz. Thank you to Erfert Fenton for sending MacWorld my way.  My 1980’s USC Cinema teaching colleague Producer/Distributer Mitchell Block was also featured in this story using his Mac LISA to do database tracking of non-theatrical films and videos in distribution.  I also used my Mac in 1986 with the software Pagemaker to make the first VHS color video cover, for THE FLIGHT OF THE GOSSAMER CONDOR when Mitch’s company Direct Cinema, Ltd started distributing it when VHS just became available.

Updated 15 January 2022