Chris Walas

Christopher James Walas (born 1955) is an American special effects artist, make-up effects artist, film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for his work on the film The Fly, for which he won an Academy Award and was nominated for two British Academy Film Awards.

Biography His main body of work is with special effects in a wide variety of films, from science fiction to action-adventure. His work on The Fly won him an Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling and led to his directorial debut on The Fly II.

Walas grew up a fan of monster movies and particularly the work of Ray Harryhausen, even considering becoming a stop motion animator. After moving to Los Angeles in his early twenties seeking any filmmaking opportunity, he got a job at Don Post Studios, a mask-making company, learning all about creation of props and prosthetics. After meeting Phil Tippett making Piranha, Walas was recruited by him to do effects in Dragonslayer. At the same time Tippett joined another Industrial Light & Magic production, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Walas would then work in Return of the Jedi, designing five creatures seen in Jabba the Hutt's palace. Walas left ILM to found his own company, Chris Walas Inc. (CWI), once he was recruited by Piranha director Joe Dante to create the creatures from Gremlins. CWI remained in high demand for film, television and commercials.

Filmographies Special effects 2002 Dark Heaven designer: angels 1991 Curse III: Blood Sacrifice monster design 1991 Naked Lunch special effects and monster design 1990 Arachnophobia creature effects supervisor 1989 The Fly II effects designer and creator: Chris Walas Inc. 1987 House II: The Second Story makeup and creature effects designer 1986 The Fly creature effects 1985 Enemy Mine aliens creator and designer: Chris Walas Inc.special creature makeup and effects director: Chris Walas Inc. 1984 Gremlins creator: Gremlins 1983 Return of the Jedi creature consultant 1982 E.T. the Extraterrestrial model maker (uncredited) 1981 Dragonslayer close-up dragon: ILM 1980 Airplane! special projects 1980 Humanoids from the Deep special effects (uncredited) 1979 Up from the Depths special effects 1978 Piranha special properties

Makeup effects 1995 Jade special makeup effects 1995 Virtuosity special makeup effects 1989 Tales from the Crypt: "The Switch" special makeup effects 1985 Enemy Mine special makeup effects 1984 Gremlins special makeup effects 1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark special makeup effects: ILM 1981 Caveman creator: abominable snowman 1981 Scanners special makeup effects 1980 Galaxina special makeup effects 1979 Something Waits in the Dark (later known as Screamers) special makeup effects, U.S. filmed additions to L'isola degli uomini pesce

Visual effects 2002 Dark Heaven visual effects

Director 1992 The Vagrant 1990 Tales from the Crypt: "'Til Death" 1989 The Fly II

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 1985 12th Saturn Awards Best Special Effects Gremlins 1986 13th Saturn Awards Best Make-up Enemy Mine 1987 59th Academy Awards Best Makeup The Fly 14th Saturn Awards Best Make-up 1988 41st British Academy Film Awards Best Make-up Artist Best Special Effects 1993 2nd Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best Makeup Effects Naked Lunch