[SXSW ’22] ‘Spaz’ review: When dinosaurs ruled the earth

Spaz sounds like the name of a fun documentary about famous nerds or freak outs in movie history. While it is about films, its focus is on special effects. Steve “Spaz” Williams was a pioneer in computer animation. His known most for the dinosaurs he brought to life in 1993’s Jurassic Park. Though his works are legendary, his reckless attitude have left him with a tarnished image. 

Unlike Williams, the documentary does not do anything different. It starts with Williams as a child and chronicles how he got into the business. It then proceeds to discuss his career. But the story is engrossing enough that Spaz does not have to reinvent the wheel. Things get especially interesting when discussing how Williams pushed for his vision in Jurassic Park. 

It is interesting watching how Williams essentially created what would become VFX. Seeing his works in movies like The Abyss and Terminator 2 are interesting enough, but knowing that he was starting what would become part and parcel in major blockbusters pushes his story over the top. Spaz is also filled with an emotion that is not normally found in these types of documentaries. Though Williams has never been critically lauded – he shockingly only has one Oscar nomination to his name – he still accomplished enough in his career to be a fixture in the industry. Instead, he is an out of work alcoholic who does not see his life turning around. 

The story of Williams is a familiar one; there is infighting and jealousy over who deserves credit. Williams ended up leaving Industrial Light & Magic, burning his bridges in the process. Spaz is a story filled with creativity, but it is also coated with sadness. For all the triumphs in his life, the part that stands out most is when Williams states, “I don’t think this is gonna end well for me.”

SXSW takes place from March 11-March 20. Tickets can be purchased here.