The visual wonders in that film established Trumbull's reputation as a special effects wizard, leading to his directorial debut three years later with another space film, SILENT RUNNING (1971). He won Academy Award nominations for his special effects in CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977), STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (1979), and BLADE RUNNER (1982). The second feature he directed, BRAINSTORM, featured Natalie Wood's last performance.
Other notable credits include: (for special photographic effects) CANDY (1968), THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN (1971), STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (1979) and BLADE RUNNER (1982); (as director) NIGHT OF DREAMS (1978), NEW MAGIC and BIG BALL (both 1983), TOUR OF THE UNIVERSE and LET'S GO (also writer) (both 1985), LEONARDO'S DREAM (1989), IN SEARCH OF THE OBELISK (1993, also producer), and THEATER OF TIME and LUXOR LIVE (both 1996); (as producer) "The Starlost: Deception" (1980, TV) and TO DREAM OF ROSES (1990, exec. prod.).
Later Trumbull turned to designing interactive entertainments and theme park attractions, including the effects for Universal Studios' "Back to the Future: The Ride". He also invented the slit-scan photography process, used to create the impression of headlong motion, and the Showscan film process.
Nominated for Visual Effects 1977: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (w. Roy Arbogast, Matthew Yuricich, Gregory Jein & Richard Yuricich)
Nominated for Visual Effects 1979: STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (w. John C. Dykstra, Richard Yuricich, Robert Swarthe, Dave Stewart & Grant McCune)
Nominated for Visual Effects 1982: BLADE RUNNER (w. Richard Yuricich & David Dryer)
Scientific and Engineering Award (Plaque) 1992: For the CP-65 Showcam Camera System for 65mm motion picture photography. (concept) [w. Geoffrey H. Williamson (movement design), Robert D. Auguste (electronic design) and Edmund M. Di Giulio (camera system design)]
3 nominations, 1 Scientific/Technical Award