In 1979, Danforth was hired, along with Rick Baker, to design effects for Edward Pressman's proposed production "Conan", which evolved into "Conan the Barbarian" (1982), with neither Danforth or Baker were involved with. Although Danforth was not firstly involved on the visual effects of the John Milius project, he was hired to paint a matte shot during postproduction. He executed a matte painting for the penultimate shot of the film, showing Conan and the princess walking down toward a painting of a landscape valley. Danforth also provided a matte painting for the little-known film, "The Day Time Ended" (1980).