Born in Fargo, ND. A photo enthusiast from childhood, he joined the Navy after graduating from high school and received intensive photography and camera repair training at the US Naval Photographic School. He became interested in motion pictures when he was stationed in Japan and after returning home he enrolled in the University of Southern California film program. After several years with a small optical effects firm and an attempt at experimental filmmaking, he was recruited by John Dykstra as first cameraman on the special effects unit of STAR WARS (1977). He shared an Academy Award for his work on the film and stayed on with George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic as a key employee. In 1983, after several Oscars® and Scientific/Technical Awards, he formed his own effects company, Boss Film Studios, and has since created astonishing visuals for such movies as GHOSTBUSTERS (1984) and GHOST (1990). Other notable (non-nominated) visual effects credits include FRIGHT NIGHT (1985), THE BOY WHO COULD FLY and SOLARBABIES (both 1986), MULTIPLICITY (1996), TURBULENCE and AIR FORCE ONE (both 1997), DESPERATE MEASURES (1998), BEDAZZLED (2000), THE STEPFORD WIVES (2004), and ANAMORPH and CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR (both 2007). Edlund is a member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Visual Effects Branch) [2006 & 2007].  Visual Effects 1977: STAR WARS (w. John Stears, John C. Dykstra, Grant McCune & Robert Blalack)  Special Achievement Award 1980: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - Visual Effects (w. Brian Johnson, Dennis Muren & Bruce Nicholson)  Visual Effects 1981: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (w. Kit West, Bruce Nicholson & Joe Johnston)  Scientific or Technical Awards (Plaque) 1981: For the concept and engineering of a beam-splitter optical composite motion picture printer. (at Industrial Light And Magic Incorporated)  Scientific or Technical Awards (Plaque) 1981: For the engineering of the Empire Motion Picture Camera System. (at Industrial Light And Magic Incorporated)  Nominated for Visual Effects 1982: POLTERGEIST (w. Michael Wood & Bruce Nicholson)  Special Achievement Award 1983: RETURN OF THE JEDI (w. Dennis Muren, Ken Ralston & Phil Tippett)  Nominated for Visual Effects 1984: GHOSTBUSTERS (w. John Bruno, Mark Vargo & Chuck Gaspar)  Nominated for Visual Effects 1984: 2010 (w. Neil Krepela, George Jenson & Mark Stetson)  Nominated for Visual Effects 1986: POLTERGEIST II (w. John Bruno, Garry Waller & William Neil)  Scientific and Engineering Award (Plaque) 1986: For the design and development of a Zoom Aerial (ZAP) 65mm Optical Printer (w. Gene Whiteman, David A. Grafton, Mark West, Jerry Jeffress & Bob Wilcox)  Nominated for Achievement in Visual Effects 1988: DIE HARD (w. Al DiSarro, Brent Boates & Thaine Morris)  Nominated for Achievement in Visual Effects 1992: ALIEN3 (w. Alec Gillis, Tom Woodruff, Jr., & George Gibbs)  John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation 2006: for his "outstanding service and dedication in upholding the high standards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences." 9 nominations, 2 Awards, 2 Special Achievement Awards, 3 Scientific/Technical Awards and 1 Honorary Award