Page 1 of 1
Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:32 am
by Shawn Merrow
Carl Macek the man behind Robotech has passed away.
American Anime Producer Carl Macek Passes AwayStreamline co-founder Jerry Beck announces passing of Robotech producer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Animation historian Jerry Beck reported on his blog on Sunday that American producer Carl Macek passed away due to a heart attack on Saturday. Macek and Beck had co-founded the anime importing company Streamline Pictures in 1988.
Macek is best known for producing Robotech, the 1985 redubbed and edited adaptation of three different anime series — Macross, Southern Cross, and Mospeada. He also worked on the dubbing of many anime projects from Captain Harlock and the Queen of a Thousand Years (redubbed and edited adaptation of Captain Harlock and Queen Millennia) to more recently, Bleach and Naruto.
Outside anime, Macek wrote The Art of Heavy Metal (Animation for the Eighties), the 1981 book about the Canadian animated film Heavy Metal. That led to his co-writing credit on the Heavy Metal 2000 spinoff. He also developed the Lady Death film at ADV Films and wrote War Eagles, a novel based on an unproduced film treatment by Merian C. Cooper.
Update: More background information added.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 3:05 am
by Robotech_Elder
Rest In Peace Carl Macek. At least I had the privilege of meeting him last year at San Diego Comic Con.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:50 am
by Grand Paladin
Saw the news on the Robotech fan page on Facebook this morning. Rest in peace Carl. Comfort to your family and friends. Although you left us much too early, you have left a legacy that will live on for many New Generations to follow.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:59 pm
by BookWyrm
Rest In Peace, Mr. Macek. You brought us great anime that entertained & captivated whole generations. You've earned your rest.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:29 pm
by socom242
Even though I was captivated by Speed Racer, Battle of the Planets, Star Blazers and various Shogun Warriors before...if it wasn't for Carl and his Robotech saga, I know it wouldn't have given me the passion for anime I have today.
Thank you, Carl. Rest In Peace.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 4:38 pm
by Tiree
I am a great big fan of Robotech, but when I met Mr. Macek as a youngin', he shattered my belief in him. He was shilling Akira (which is good, just not my cup of tea), and basically told me that instead of buying Macross Do You Remember Love, buy Akira. To this day - I have mixed feelings over that encounter. I should not have bought that bad copy of DYRL, and wish I had saved 10 dollars more so I could have purchased the full series of Robotech on VHS. Instead I bought a Graphic novel that sent me into the world of Marvel Comic Book buying hell!
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:34 pm
by taalismn
I can't agree with everything he did, but Robotech opened my eyes to anime, and so I salute him for that.
Rest In Peace, C.M.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:53 pm
by FreelancerMar
Rest In Peace, Mr. Macek
You will be missed.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:08 pm
by ZINO
we lost a good guy man ..( even though i didn't agree either with all chooses still . it a sad day for anyone to die , still he let get my hands on robotech it help me have and help others with basic reading , writhing , and basic math for other person who had a hard time doing any of the three i mention as well the video tapes that i had back then. i can say thank you for showing robotech and other animation
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:56 pm
by Alpha 11
Man what a bummer. I am still a little shocked, though I did just found out a couple of minuties ago.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 12:16 am
by MacrossManual
For the most part, I find myself indifferent to his passing. Not a fan at all, but I will give Macek due credit for his involvement in the early years of anime distribution, however rough those years were.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:28 am
by drakinn
He will be missed. Thank you Carl for all you have done. It was Robotech that got me into gaming 1n 1989.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:21 am
by DhAkael
Carl may have 'Macekered' anime that he brought into North-America, but if not for him, we wouldn't have wanted to see the real thing. So even if his methods were flawed, his heart was in the right place. For that I give thanks, and wish his spirit "God-speed" and safe journey.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 12:21 pm
by avollant
Hopefully, his legacy (Robotech) will live on.
R.I.P.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 9:12 pm
by slade the sniper
That blows
RIP o' opener of mine eyes to Anime....
-STS
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 9:57 am
by Snuffy
Just found out. I'm still in shock.
RIP Carl
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 1:45 pm
by Rabid Southern Cross Fan
Found out on Monday when I got an email alert from Tom Bateman. Came completely out of left field. Tom said Macek was a careful eater and such, so I'm guessing it was something congenital. While I didn't like everything Mr. Macek did, he certainly made it possible for Southern Cross fans to exist outside Japan, and he supposedly really liked the show. He will be missed.
Rest in Peace, Carl. Say 'Hi' to Gary G., Dave A. and Erick W. for us.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 12:50 pm
by Jorel
R.I.P. Carl Macek. I played and won the Robotech game at the Open House in honor of Carl. There was a gentleman in a Robotech uniform playing in our game. It was epic. Many thanks go to Carl Macek for bringing Robotech to so many people. Big Respect.
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 1:43 pm
by jaymz
While I loved Starblazers (Yamato) and Battle of the Planets (Gatchaman) and even later on with Force Five (Starvengers/Getter Robo G, Dangaurd Ace, Grandizer, Gaiking and Spaceketeers) and Voltron (Go Lion and the other one), it wasn;t until Robotech I even knew these shows were Japanese in origin in any way shape or form. Thank you Carl Macek for opening my eyes amongst others to a whole new world of animated entertainment that wasn't just talking and walking animals, though anime versions are very kewl
Re: Carl Macek 1951-2010
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 11:54 am
by batlchip
RIP carl and thank you for the memories.