Dennis Ayling
Dennis Ayling BSC (23 June 1917 – 24 October 1998) was a British cinematographer. He is best known for his miniature effects cinematography for the 1979 science fiction film Alien, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Ayling had a long career of more than 50 years as a film and television commercial cinematographer, and as a cinematographer and director of documentaries.
Also recorded as Denys Ayling
Dennis Ayling
- Born
- 1917 · Finchley.
- Died
- 1998 · Ealing.
- Nationality
- United Kingdom · United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Occupation
- cinematographer · film director
- Honours
- Academy Award for Best Visual Effects
- Languages
- English
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- Identity
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wikidata · Q5258165 · wikipedia · Dennis Ayling
In this article
Key facts
He also served in photographic reconnaissance squadrons in the Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, and for part of his service was based in Burma, where he covered many key events, including the Japanese surrender.
• Name — Dennis Ayling • Birth Name — Dennis Leslie Ayling • Born — 23 June 1917 • Birthplace — Finchley, London, England, United Kingdom • Died — 24 October 1998 • Place of death — Ealing, London, England, United Kingdom • Other Names — Denny Ayling • Occupation — Cinematographer • Years Active — 1937–early 1990s Dennis Ayling BSC (23 June 1917 – 24 October 1998) was a British cinematographer. He is best known for his miniature effects cinematography for the 1979 science fiction film Alien, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Ayling had a long career of more than 50 years as a film and television commercial cinematographer, and as a cinematographer and director of documentaries. He also served in photographic reconnaissance squadrons in the Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, and for part of his service was based in Burma, where he covered many key events, including the Japanese surrender.
Filmography
Cinematographer • The Cool Mikado (1963) • Money Sings (short) (1963) • Jugglers and Acrobats (documentary short) (1964) • 9 Days in Summer (documentary, as Denny Ayling) (1967) • Cucumber Castle (television movie, uncredited) (1970) • Mr Tumbleweed (television movie) (1971) Visual Effects • Alien (director of photography: miniature effects, as Denys Ayling) (1979) Director • Men on Wheels (documentary short) (1961)
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Finchley.
Birth place
Ealing.
Death place
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
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Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 September 2026.
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