Plenary Speakers
TONY GARDNER
Make Up Department | Special Effects | Art Department
For over twenty-five years, Tony Gardner has been the mastermind behind some of the most innovative and creative special effects in film and television. His name may not be familiar to you, but his list of projects should be: 127 Hours, Hocus Pocus, Hairspray, the Geico Cavemen commercials, Zombieland, There's Something About Mary, The Spongebob Squarepants Movies, Curse of Chucky, Adaptation, Three Kings and Shallow Hal are just a few titles in the long list of noteworthy projects Tony has been integral to over the years.
After working with Rick Baker on Michael Jackson's landmark video, "Thriller" and with Stan Winston on James Cameron's Aliens, Tony branched out to form his own company in 1988: Alterian, Inc. The very first project was supplying the horrific monster effects for the feature film remake of The Blob. Tony quickly established a reputation for delivering the most realistic effects always on time, on budget and being one of the most reliable companies in Hollywood and abroad. In 1992, Tony's reputation soared when he was called upon to disfigure Liam Neeson's face in Sam Raimi's classic, Darkman.
Still, while high profile movies came in, Tony maintained a foot in the independent world and kept that practical, grounded mentality. Whether it was the creepy creatures and props from both Addams Family movies, Bruce Campbell fighting an animatronic skeleton in Army of Darkness, the high tech props in Robert Zemekis' Contact, the life like bodies in Angels & Demons, or the futuristic robot helmets for the acclaimed electronic musicians Daft Punk or robots for a Spike Jonze short film, every project was worthy of all of his attention, every creature or miniature or prop or effect had equal importance.
Always once to believe that the presentation of the effects is equally as important as the creation, he has always been directly involved in the filming process on each project as well, at times storyboarding scenes, and at times also directing second unit or the effects sequences for the films he’s involved with. His collaboration with Daft Punk has led to writing, directing, and co-producing music videos, several of which have been lauded at worldwide festivals.
And his attention to detail and realism has led to investigations launched by the FBI, the LAPD, the Arizona State Police, and Missing Person’s Division – all testaments to the degree of quality and realism of his work, albeit in a VERY roundabout way. His realistic attention to detail on Danny Boyle’s film “127 Hours” led to screenings being halted due to audience members passing out.
The realistic nature of Alterian’s effects work has led to the launching of a separate business , offering realistic training aids for Neo-natal Intensive Care, while also designing and developing a line of Trauma Training Aids for Medical Centers, EMTs, and the military.
Most notable on the film front, Alterian’s prosthetic old age makeup for the film Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hair Styling in 2014.
Alterian, Inc. is located in Los Angeles, California.
Find out more about Tony's work here: Tony Gardner Resume
Annette Hasbrook
Assistant Manager, Program Integration
NASA’s Orion Program Office
Ms. Annette Hasbrook is the Assistant Manager for Program Integration in the Orion Program Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The Orion Program office is responsible for the design, development, testing, and execution of the Orion vehicle which is the vehicle that will take humans out of low-earth-orbit and into cislunar space. Annette assists the program manager and deputy manager with management, integration and operations of the Orion Program, serves as the executive secretary of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Control Board and supports external and independent program reviews.
Annette has worked at the Johnson Space Center since 1987. Prior to joining the Orion program, she spent 29 years in the Flight Operations Directorate. She performed a variety of roles and became a Flight Director in 2000 where she provided leadership and direction for both preflight integration and mission execution of human space flight operations as an International Space Station (ISS) Flight Director and the Deputy Office Chief. Just prior to transitioning to the Orion Program, Annette served as the Chief of the Spaceflight Training management Office responsible for the crew and flight controller training program management and execution.
Annette graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1985, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.