Brian Michael Jennings of Cambridge, NY and Pondicherry, India died suddenly on September 3, 2015 in Chennai, India of a heart attack. Born August 21, 1958 to Ann and Brian Jennings in Kew Gardens, NY, Brian graduated from Manhasset High School in 1976. He studied architecture, photography, graphic design and computer animation at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and Glendale Community College in Glendale, CA.
Brian enjoyed a decades long career as special effects supervisor in Hollywood and India. His work includes films such as Scary Movie, Driven, Mindhunters, Lois and Clark and the Coneheads. He was nominated for an Academy Award in 1989 in the Animated Short Film category for Technological Threat.
Brian took his skills to India in 2006 where his credits include the critically acclaimed Dasavatharam and Ondipoli. In recent years his work was focused on setting up special effects studios from the ground up in China, Kerala and Chennai. At the time of his death Brian was teaching computer special effects skills to students at the Don Bosco Institute of Communication and Art in Chennai.
Brian is lovingly remembered by friends and family as a kind-hearted gentle man with an incredibly sharp wit. He will be missed by all who knew his mischievous nature.
Brian is survived by his daughter Lauren Hinchey of Santa Cruz, CA.; parents Ann and Brian Jennings of Cambridge, NY; sisters Elizabeth Miller (Bruce) of Plandome, NY; Mary Hollyer (William) of Saratoga Springs, NY; Katherine Sydnor (Tony) of Fairfax, VA; Annie Weber (John) of Brooklyn, NY; and brothers James (Jeanne) of Washington Heights, NY; and Christopher (Sheri) of Los Angeles, CA. Brian was predeceased by sister Patricia Jennings and nephew Timothy Miller. Brian is survived 18 nieces and nephews.
A memorial mass celebrating Brian’s life will be held Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 247 Main Street, Salem, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations in Brian’s name can be made to Don Bosco College of Art and Design in Chennai, India or Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Cambridge, New York 12816.
