Amidst the shifts going on behind the scenes of AMC’s The Walking Dead, another change has been made. AMC announced today that make-up effects artist Greg Nicotero has been bumped up to the role of co-executive producer on the series. What’s more, Nicotero has also signed a first-look deal with the network.
This announcements comes not long after Nicotero won a much deserved creative Emmy for his make-up work on The Walking Dead. While a shift to co-exec-producer might seem like a bit of a jump from the make-up department, Nicotero is credited as a consulting producer on the series for all six episodes of the first season, and is set to direct an episode in Season 2, as well as a series of webisodes for the zombie-centric series. Written by Joe Esposito, the six-episode webseries will begin airing on AMCTV.com on October 3rd.
“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.”
Beyond The Walking Dead, Nicotero's career as a special makeup effects artist includes credits on Piranha, The Pacific, Inglourious Basterds, The Mist, and Grindhouse, just to name a few. Between his increased involvement in the already excellent The Walking Dead, and whatever results from the first-look deal he’s inked with AMC, it sounds like we’re going to see more of Nicotero’s talents on the network.
