By Randi Altman

Franz Wieser passed away last week, and the world is worse for it. I’ve known Franz for over 20 years, going back to when he was still based in ARRI’s Blauvelt, New York, office and I was editor of Post Magazine.

We would meet in the city from time to time for an event or a meal. In fact, he introduced me to a hidden gem of a restaurant just off Washington Square Park that has become one of my favorites. It reminds me of him — warm, friendly and welcoming.

I always laugh when I remember him telling me about when his car broke down here in New York. Even though he had his hazard lights on and it was clear his car wasn’t cooperating, people kept driving by and giving him the finger. He was bemused but incredulous, which made it even funnier.

Then he moved to LA and I saw him less… a quick hello at trade shows a couple of times a year. When I think of Franz, I remember his smile first and how soft spoken and kind he was.

He touched many over the years and their stories are similar to mine.

“I have known Franz for nearly two decades, but it was during the earliest days of ARRI’s digital era that we truly connected,” shares Gary Adcock, an early ARRI digital adopter, writer and industry consultant. “We got together after one of the director of photography conferences I chaired at NAB to talk about ARRI’s early D20 and D21 digital cameras. Franz was just a great person, always a kind word, always wanting to know how your family and friends were. It will be that kindness that I will miss the most.”

“This is such sad news,” says Andy Shipsides, CTO at Burbank’s AbleCine. “Franz was a dear friend and will be greatly missed. He was an amazing person and brought fun and levity to his work everyday. I had lunch with him several months ago and I feel lucky to have shared that time with him. Franz was a truly a delightful person. He took me out when I first moved to LA to welcome me to the city, which I will always remember. He always had a smile on his face, and his positive energy was contagious. He will be very much missed, a big loss for our industry.”

ARRI sent out the following about Franz.

It is with great sadness, that we share the news of the passing of Franz Wieser, VP, marketing at ARRI Inc.

Franz Wieser grew up in Rosenheim in Bavaria, Germany. He was originally hired by ARRI CT in nearby Stephanskirchen, where ARRI’s Lighting factory is situated. Franz started at ARRI with an internship with Volker Bahnemann, a member of the supervisory board of the ARRI Group, at what was then called Arriflex Corporation in Blauvelt, NY, USA, and spent some time doing market research in New York and California.

In July 1994, Franz accepted a position as marketing manager at Arriflex with Volker Bahnemann and relocated to New York at that time. Franz had a distinguished career of 25 years in marketing for Arriflex and ARRI Inc., leading to his current position of VP of marketing based in the ARRI Burbank office. His contributions spanned the marketing of ARRI film and digital camera systems and analog and digital lighting fixtures. He also built sustaining relationships with the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) and many others in the film and television industry. His ability to connect with people, his friendliness and reliability, along with his deep understanding of the film industry was outstanding. He was a highly valued member of the global marketing network and a wonderful person and colleague.

Glenn Kennel, president and CEO of ARRI Inc., says “Franz will be remembered by his colleagues and many friends in the industry as a friend and mentor, willing to listen and help. He always had a smile on his face and a gracious approach.”

We are very saddened by his early loss and will remember him well. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife and his parents.