Alec Gillis

In 1980, Alec Gillis started his professional career at Roger Corman’s New World Pictures. The variety of work and breakneck pace of production at New World provided the perfect place for Alec to learn the ropes and collaborate with other up-and-coming filmmakers who would later become industry leaders, including James Cameron and Gale Ann Hurd. At the same time, Alec attended UCLA Film School.

Alec would eventually leave New World to work for the legendary special-effects makeup artists Tom Savini, Greg Cannom, and Stan Winston. After a few years supervising character effects at Stan Winston Studio, Alec formed his own company, Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc. (ADI), in 1988, along with fellow Winston alumnus Tom Woodruff, Jr.

Since then, Alec has contributed his artistry to countless productions, becoming an industry leader in his own right, and even earning two Oscar nominations along the way for his work on Alien 3, along with Woodruff, Jr., and Starship Troopers. Alec and ADI’s other notable credits include AVP: Alien Vs. Predator, Zookeeper, Bright, It, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Godzilla Vs. Kong, and The Predator, to name just a few.

Alec is also a writer and director. His book Worlds: A Mission of Discovery was optioned by a major studio. In addition, he’s written a number of screenplays, and his feature film Harbinger Down, starring Lance Henriksen, celebrated the art of practical effects with wall-to-wall miniature and creature effects.

One of Alec's and ADI’s final works can be seen in 20th Century Studios’ Prey, which many fans have called the best film in the Predator franchise since the original. Since then, Alec has established his solo effects studio, Studio Gillis, and worked on movies such as Werewolves, No One Will Save You, Alien: Romulus, and Predator: Badlands.