SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKE-UP GURU INKS OVERALL
DEVELOPMENT DEAL
NICOTERO-DIRECTED WEBISODES HITS AMCTV.COM ON OCTOBER 3rd
New York, NY – September 14, 2011 – AMC announced today that Emmy Award-winning make-up effects artist Greg Nicotero has been a named co-executive producer of “The Walking Dead.” Nicotero has also inked a first-look deal with the network, giving him the opportunity to bring his own passion projects to AMC. On Saturday’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards Nicotero won for Best Prosthetic Make-up for AMC’s “The Walking Dead.” He is also set to direct an episode this season.
“Greg’s talent extends well beyond the word of special fx makeup,” said Joel Stillerman, AMC’s SVP of original programming, production and digital content. “He is also a truly talented director, and has an incredibly comprehensive understanding and appreciation for great storytelling. His knowledge and respect for the genre is unparalleled, and we are looking forward to expanding our relationship with him with an eye towards developing more great original series.”
Nicotero, who co-owns KNB EFX GROUP, one of Hollywood’s most successful Make-up Effects Studios, premiered his film THE UNITED MONSTER TALENT AGENCY on AMC’S Fearfest last Halloween to rave reviews. He began his career on DAY OF THE DEAD in 1985 and as of this year has been involved in nearly 800 feature films including those of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. He is repped by Ken Linzer, UTA and Chris Pollack at Generate.
Greg’s masterful work on “The Walking Dead” will continue this season on amctv.com, beginning on October 3rd, where fans will be able to watch the six-episode web series. Produced by Generate, and conceived and directed by Nicotero and written by John Esposito, the webisodes tell an “origin” story of a woman’s struggle to survive and protect her family as the world begins to fall apart. Fans will have the opportunity to explore the back story of one of the most celebrated “walkers” last season.
Bicycle Girl, the infamous zombie from season one, who was shot by Rick Grimes in the pilot episode. Fans will learn about this woman’s life before the apocalypse, and watch her story unfold into what became her ultimate demise into zombie-hood.
Nicotero says,”Working on “The Walking Dead” with such a fantastic cast and crew has been an amazing opportunity, and to have our contribution to the show celebrated is a tremendous compliment. I have always felt like the show had a cinematic feel and everyone involved is dedicated to making this show something special. To be able to branch out and develop not only the web series but genre material is something I have always wanted to do; given the people I have had the pleasure of working with over the last 23 years.”
About Generate
Generate, a pioneering multi-platform studio and talent management firm that connects advertising, technology and entertainment, stands apart as a full-service integrated media company executing ideas from concept through production entirely in-house. Launched in 2006 by leading media executives from television, film, digital, advertising, production and talent management – including Jordan Levin, former CEO of The WB Network – Generate has created an innovative vertical and horizontal business model designed to marry the best of old Hollywood with the new digital age. The collaborative media company, with offices based in Santa Monica, Calif., and New York City, has become the premier provider of customized branded content across traditional and digital platforms; a developer and producer of fiction and factual entertainment for a variety of distribution outlets; and home to a prolific, ever-growing talent management division.
About AMC
AMC reigns as the only cable network in history to ever win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series three years in a row, as well as the Golden Globe® Award for Best Television Series – Drama for three consecutive years. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original programming, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories. AMC’s original stories include “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad,” “The Walking Dead,” “The Killing” and “Hell on Wheels.” AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with AMC’s Docu-Stories, a slate of unscripted original series, as well as curated movie franchises like AMC’s Can’t Get Enough and AMC’s Crazy About. Available in more than 97 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Story Matters HereSM.