Gregory Jein was a renowned Chinese-American visual effects specialist and miniature model maker, with a lifelong passion for the Star Trek franchise. He made significant contributions to the series, including designing an alternative Klingon D7-class battlecruiser for the unrealized original series sequel, Star Trek: Phase II.
Jein's impressive career in visual effects began with his first Oscar nomination as chief model maker for Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). His notable work on the film included creating the model of the alien mothership, which is now permanently exhibited at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum Collection.
Before setting up his own company, Jein worked for Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Walt Disney Imagineering. In July 1979, he established Gregory Jein, Inc, with his workshop located in Marina Del Rey, California. The company went on to become a leading provider of models and props for various projects, including five Star Trek films and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987).
Jein's work on Star Trek: The Next Generation included building studio models based on designs by Rick Sternbach and Andrew Probert for the Enterprise D, the Klingon Vor'cha and Negh'Var class warships, and the Ferengi D'Kora-class Marauder. He also constructed and supplied the majority of models and props for the entire run of TNG.
In addition to his work on Star Trek, Jein received a Prime Time Emmy Award nomination for his work on the Trials and Tribble-ations (1996),for which he constructed re-imagined models of the original Enterprise and Deep Space Station K-7. His impressive portfolio also includes models for blockbuster films like Fantastic Four (2005),Avatar (2009),Oblivion (2013),and Interstellar (2014).
Jein was widely respected in the industry, with Steven Spielberg referring to him as "the greatest miniature guy in the world." He passed away on May 22, 2022, at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy of incredible work in visual effects and model making.
