SHANNON SHEA
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Shannon Shea, a native New Orleanian educated at The California Institute of the Arts has enjoyed a 36-year tenure designing, constructing, and performing animatronic creatures and characters for Motion Pictures and Television. He has had the pleasure of contributing to such diverse films as Predator, Dances With Wolves, Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Spy Kids, The Chronicles of Narnia, Drag Me To Hell, Men in Black III, Netflix’s Lost In Space, Barb and Starr go to Vista Del Mar (2021) as well as the new Korean horror-drama Sweet Home (2020).
Not limited to the confines of Motion Pictures, he has served as an animatronics supervisor for Universal Studios and Disney Research & Development as a representative of Spectral Motion, Inc. He paints (having been shown in New York, North Carolina, and Los Angeles), and has written for Makeup Artist Magazine as well as having had a book published about the first formative years of his career entitled I’m Rubber, You’re Glue. He is a continuing teacher of the Stan Winston School of Character Design and taught for nearly 3 years at the prestigious Cinema Makeup School in Los Angeles where he was both the Prosthetics and Special Effects instructor. Shannon and his wife, Tracy (a talented soprano and writer), recently relocated to the Gulf Coast and are enjoying their new adventures.
CREDITS
SWEET HOME (TV SERIES) (ON-SET CREATURE EFFECTS SUPERVISOR) (2020)
LOST IN SPACE (TV SERIES) (SPECIAL EFFECTS SUPERVISOR) (2018)
MEN IN BLACK 3 (PROSTHETIC MAKEUP EFFECTS: KEY ARTIST, CINOVATION STUDIOS) (2012)
CASINO ROYALE (PUPPETEER) (2006)
SPY KIDS 2: ISLAND OF LOST DREAMS (TECHNICIAN: KURTZMAN, NICOTERO & BERGER EFX GROUP, INC.) (2002)
SPY KIDS (SHOP FOREMAN: KURTZMAN, NICOTERO & BERGER EFX GROUP, INC.) (2001)
JURASSIC PARK (KEY ARTIST: STAN WINSTON STUDIO) (1993)
TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY (ART DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR: STAN WINSTON STUDIO) (1991)
DANCES WITH WOLVES (BUFFALO EFFECTS SUPERVISOR) (1990)
PREDATOR (ART DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR: CREATURE EFFECTS UNIT) (1987)
EVIL DEAD II (SPECIAL MAKEUP EFFECTS UNIT CREW) (1987)
STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME (CREATURE CREW: ILM) (1987)
ALIENS (1986)
ANDY SCHONEBERG
CMS CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER
Prolific and diverse two-time Emmy Award winner Andy Schoneberg has the wide-ranging skill, patience and positive attitude. All attributes have contributed to his success in the world of creature effects. Growing up in Billings, Montana, Andy had to learn the business through trial and error and hints gleaned from rare books. Schoneberg has had a prolific and diverse career as a special effects make-up artist, an FX sculptor, and puppeteer. He’s worked for most of the major, iconic creature shops from Stan Winston Studio to Rick Baker’s Cinovation to ADI and KNB. Over the years, he’s contributed makeup effects and creatures to more than 100 films and television shows including Edward Scissorhands, Jurassic Park, The Pacific, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Hangover II, Inglourious Basterds, and The Walking Dead.
CREDITS
GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH (FILM) (CREATURE CREW) (1990)
ALIEN: RESURRECTION (FILM) (PROJECT COODINATOR) (1997)
AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME (FILM) (SCULPTOR) (1999) KEY ARTIST, CINOVATION STUDIOS) (2012)
THE HILLS HAVE EYES (FILM) (SPECIAL MAKEUP EFFECTS ARTIST) (2006)
PREDATORS (FILM) (PAINTER) (2010)
PRIEST (FILM) (SPECIAL MAKEUP EFFECTS ARTIST) (2011)
FEAR OF THE WALKING DEAD (TV SERIES) (MAKEUP ARTIST-7 EPISODE) (2015-2016)
SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY (FILM) (MAKEUP ARTIST) (2021)
ALEC GILLIS
BOARD MEMBER
Alec Gillis began his professional career in 1980 at Roger Corman’s New World Pictures. While working with future luminaries such as James Cameron and Gale Ann Hurd, Alec also attended UCLA Film School. By 1985 he began working for Creature FX legend Stan Winston (Aliens, Predator, Pumpkinhead). There he met Tom Woodruff, Jr with whom he co-founded the Creature FX studio Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc. (ADI) in 1988.
The duo received an Oscar for their work on Death Becomes Her, as well as nominations for Alien 3 and Starship Troopers. They also won BAFTAs and Saturn Awards for the films Starship Troopers and Jumanji.
Gillis is also a writer. His book Worlds: A Mission of Discovery has been optioned by a major studio. He’s also written a number of screenplays and created a TV series.
CREDITS
THE PREDATOR (CREATURE EFFECTS DESIGNER) (2018)
JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM (CREATURE EFFECTS DESIGNER) (2018)
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU (PUPPETEER) (2018)
IT (SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP) (2017)
ENDER’S GAME (ALIEN CREATURE EFFECTS) (2013)
SKYLINE (CREATURE DESIGNER) (2010)
ALIENS VS. PREDATOR: REQUIEM (CREATURE EFFECTS DESIGNER AND CREATOR) / (SPECIAL EFFECTS SUPERVISOR) (2007)
ALIEN VS. PREDATOR (ALIEN EFFECTS) / (CREATURE EFFECTS CREATOR) / (CREATURE EFFECTS DESIGNER) (2004)
LOIS BURWELL
BOARD MEMBER
Lois Burwell is an iconic Oscar-winning makeup artist, whose career includes Legend, The Princess Bride, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Fifth Element, Saving Private Ryan, The Last Samurai and Lincoln. In 1996, Burwell won the Academy Award for her phenomenal work on the historical war epic, Braveheart, directed by and starring Mel Gibson. Working alongside director Steven Spielberg, she was nominated for her work on Saving Private Ryan, a film that started a longtime collaboration between the two artists. They continued to work together on Catch Me if You Can, War of the Worlds, War Horse, Lincoln, The BFG, and Ready Player One. For Lincoln, Burwell designed the prosthetics transforming actor Daniel Day Lewis into the 16th President of the United States using paintings and photographs from the era to build the impressive look.
Off set, she was elected governor for the Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Then, in 2017, she was elected the first Vice President of the Academy. Lois Burwell is also known for starring as a judge on the SyFy television series Face Off, replacing makeup artist Ve Neill in the show’s seventh season. As of 2022, she has worked on six films that have gone on to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.
CREDITS
THE FIFTH ELEMENT (MAKEUP DEPARTMENT HEAD) (1997)
BRAVEHEART (MAKEUP ARTIST) (1995)
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (KEY MAKEUP ARTIST) (1998)
THE LAST SAMURAI (MAKEUP DEPARTMENT HEAD) (2003)
WAR OF THE WORLDS (MAKEUP DEPARTMENT HEAD) (2005)
READY PLAYER ONE (MAKEUP DESIGNER) (2018)
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (CHIEF MAKEUP DESIGNER) (1996)
THE PRINCESS BRIDE (MAKEUP SUPERVISOR) (1987)
BARRY R. KOPER
BOARD MEMBER
Barry has over 42 years experience in the field of makeup. He got his start in Santa Barbara doing a total of 32 Theatrical stage productions before moving to Los Angeles where he worked at Universal Studios Tour doing a Makeup Show called “Land of a 1000 Faces” where 2 makeup artists would makeup 2 guests from the audience and turn them into Frankenstein and his Bride!
Barry apprenticed with Oscar wining makeup artist John Chambers, who won an Oscar for his makeup’s on The Planet of the Apes Mr. Chambers recommended Mr. Koper to run the Makeup Effects Lab at CBS Studios, after 6 years Mr. Koper became the Head of Makeup at CBS and continued there for a total of 15 years, after which he left to do feature Films, Some of his credits include Addams Family Values, Island of Dr. Moreau, Alien Resurrection, Holloman, Scary Movie 2 & 3, Bubble Boy, Syriana, Departed, Indiana Jones 4, Coach Carter, Dinner for Schmucks, We Bought a Zoo, X Men First Class, Thor and Michael Jackson’s This is it He is best known for his very natural prosthetic work on Tim Allen in all 3 Disney’s Santa Clause Movies turning Tim into Santa! Mr. Koper has been nominated for the Emmy a total of 5 times and has won twice. Barry was also the creator of the column “Out of the Kit” for Makeup Artist Magazine, which he wrote for over 10 years.
CREDITS
RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (KEY MAKEUP 2ND UNIT) (2009)
INDIANA JONES 4 (FX MAKEUP) (2008)
I AM LEGEND (SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP) (2007)
SANTA CLAUSE 3 (DEPT. HEAD MAKEUP) (2006)
SIX FEET UNDER (TV SERIES) (EFX MAKEUP) (TV SERIES) (2005)
HAUNTED MANSION (EFX MAKEUP) (2003)
MARS ATTACKS (EFX MAKEUP) (1996)
MICHAEL JACKSON’S THRILLER (MUSIC VIDEO) (1982)
CHARLES J. WEBER
BOARD MEMBER
For the past 30 years, Charles J. Weber has been a successful senior executive in the Entertainment and Communications Industries. During this period Weber was the CEO of Lucasfilm Ltd., and COO of CanWest International Corp, Embassy Communications and Entertainment Company of America. He is also a member of The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Manhattan College and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Hofstra University.
EXPERIENCE
EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (CHIEF EXECUTIVE) (LUCASFILM LTD./FOX) (1980)
MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI (CHIEF EXECUTIVE) (LUCASFILM LTD./UNIVERSAL) (1979)
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (CHIEF EXECUTIVE) (LUCASFILM LTD./PARAMOUNT) (1981)
BLADE RUNNER (EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE) (PERENCHIO/YORKIN/WARNER BROS.) (1981)
THE STONE BOY (EXECUTIVE PRODUCER) (ANGELES/20TH CENTURY FOX) (1984)
SCANDALOUS (EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE) (ANGELES/LATANA/ORION) (1984)
CHILDREN OF THE CORN (EXECUTIVE PRODUCER) (ANGELES/NEW WORLD) (1984)
BLUE SKIES AGAIN (EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE) (ANGELES/LATANA/WARNER BROS.) (1980)
LINO STAVOLE
BOARD MEMBER
Lino Stavole works in the middle of murk, magic, monsters, and mathematical madness. Lino creates things using technology. He works as a project supervisor at Spectral Motion and oversees their digital manufacturing. Every day he produces amazing things in concert with groups of talented artists.
He specializes in the collaboration between art and new technology and is knowledgeable in a myriad of different 3d printing and additive manufacturing techniques and methods. Lino has constructed advanced 3d scanning systems in cooperation with the University of Kentucky’s Center for Visualization & Virtual Environments.
He has spoken at the Society of Manufacturing Engineers regarding adopting 3D technologies in the art and entertainment arenas. His goal is to advance the way we create by using innovative fabrication methods (and even developing some new ones).
CREDITS
LOST IN SPACE (TV SERIES) (DIGITAL MANUFACTURING COORDINATOR – 10 EPISODES) (2018)
THE ORVILLE (TV SERIES) (ISAAC SUIT FABRICATION – 1 EPISODE) (2017)
TOO LATE (SPECIAL EFFECTS COORDINATOR: THE CREATURE COMPANY) (2015)
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER (SPECIAL EFFECTS TECHNICIAN: MOLD DEPARTMENT, K.N.B. EFFECTS GROUP) (2010)
THE FINAL DESTINATION (SPECIAL EFFECTS TECHNICIAN: MOLD SHOP, KNB EFFECTS GROUP) (2009)
THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE (SPECIAL EFFECTS: TINSLEY TRANSFERS EFFECTS STUDIO) (2009)
DEJA VU (SPECIAL EFFECTS TECHNICIAN: MOLD DEPARTMENT, K.N.B EFFECTS GROUP) (2006)
THE ISLAND (MOLD/LAB TECHNICIAN: K.N.B. EFX GROUP) (2005)
GARY ARCHER
BOARD MEMBER
Gary Archer originally from the UK, is a Los Angeles based makeup artist/dental technician who has specialized in the creation, design and fabrication of dental prosthetics and oral appliances for almost 400 films, television shows and theatrical productions. Some of his past and most recent works have been the iconic Austin Powers teeth, the legendary Blade fangs, and several custom dental prosthetics for On Becoming a God In Central Florida. Gary’s studio, G.A. Enterprises, offers custom dental prosthetic services all across the US, Canada and throughout Europe via our affiliate partners.
CREDITS
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME (DENTAL PROSTHETICS: USA) (2021)
SAVED BY THE BELL (TV SERIES) (DENTAL PROSTHETICS – 10 EPISODES) (2020)
WATCHMEN (TV MINI-SERIES) (DENTAL PROSTHETICS – 9 EPISODES) (2019)
IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA (TV SERIES) (DENTAL PROSTHETICS – 10 EPISODES) (2019)
UNCUT GEMS (DENTAL PROSTHETICS: ADAM SANDLER) (2019)
AMERICAN HORROR STORY (TV SERIES) (DENTAL TECHNICIAN – 5 EPISODES) (2016)
AMERICAN SNIPER (DENTAL PROSTHETICS DESIGNER) (2014)
CALIFORNICATION (TV SERIES) (DENTAL PROSTHETICS – 15 EPISODES) (2012-2013)
AUGUSTINE KIM
BOARD MEMBER
Augustine Kim for the past 40 years has been a key executive in the entertainment and communications industry, distributing over 300 motion pictures and TV series as well as worked with major Hollywood Studios such as AIP, Orion, Samuel Goldwyn, Embassy Pictures, Inter-Ocean Film, Carolco Pictures, Cannon Pictures, Viacom, Warner Brothers, MGM, Paramount and Universal Studios.
Former MGM Studio Park/MGM LBE Division Co-Founder & President/CEO MGM Studio Center (MSC) Korea and Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) Studio Inc’s Location Based Entertainment (LBE) Division. Co-Founder & CEO/Producer East Gate Entertainment LLC.(EGE) and Pacific Entertainment Holdings LLC. (PEH) is official licensee from Paramount Pictures Corporation for Paramount Movie Studio Park in Korea and Japan. Landmark Entertainment Group Asia Co., Ltd. Co-Founder & Chairman/Producer
CREDITS
ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA (DISTRIBUTION) (1984)
NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN (DISTRIBUTION) (1983)
PLATOON (DISTRIBUTION) (1986)
NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (DISTRIBUTION) (1984)
BEVERLY HILLS COP (DISTRIBUTION) (1984)
APOCALYPSE NOW (DISTRIBUTION) (1979)
THE FUGITIVE (DISTRIBUTION) (1993)
MOON WALKER (DISTRIBUTION) (1988)
BENSON LAU
BOARD MEMBER
Benson is a partner at Satnick Lau LLP in Los Angeles, California, where he focuses his practice on cannabis law, litigation, serving cannabis businesses and investors throughout Los Angeles. He also represents cultivators, distributors, manufacturers, retailers, testing laboratories, and other individuals in the cannabis industry on matters involving business litigation, intellectual property rights, commercial landlord/tenant disputes, municipal disputes, mergers and acquisitions, state and local licensing, and regulatory compliance.
Before starting his firm, Benson began his legal career specializing in business litigation, corporate matters, and entertainment law. Benson has represented numerous award winning producers, film financiers, distributors, sales agents, and talent agencies in entertainment transactions and litigation matters pending before IFTA, state court and federal court. Benson has provided strategic counsel on a wide variety of matters ranging from idea theft, defamation, royalty disputes, copyright infringement, rights of publicity and privacy, and business torts.
In addition to running his law practice, Mr. Lau stays involved in his community through participation in professional organizations, including, providing pro bono legal assistance to individuals at risk of deportation through Loyola Law School’s Removal Defense Corps. In June 2020, Benson was first selected to the Southern California Rising Stars list. He was selected again in 2021 and 2022.