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Joe Gillis effortlessly brings imaginative visuals to life in music videos for the Groovie Ghoulies, such as "'Til Death Do Us Party" and "Running with Bigfoot." As a filmmaker, he has been captivated by images that inspire, motivate, and entertain ever since he first picked up a camera at age nine in Citrus Heights, California. From the moment he discovered his ability to express himself through moving images, he knew they held a special place in his heart. By age ten, he was certain filmmaking would be his career.
Born Joseph Wayne Gillis on October 11, 1973, his parents named him after his grandfather and uncle, unaware that his name was already famously associated with a classic film character played by William Holden in Billy Wilder's "Sunset Boulevard." Much like Holden’s character, the real Joe Gillis began imagining films and plays early on, writing full scripts ready for production.
As a child actor in commercials, Joe gained insight into the creative process behind image-making. In 1980, while on the set of "Windwalker," a story about Native American life starring Trevor Howard and written by his cousin Blaine Yorgason, Joe witnessed firsthand the many elements involved in feature film production. Surrounded by props and viewing daily footage, he immersed himself in the craft.
His debut film, 1995’s "9 Items or Less," paid tribute to silent screen comedy shorts and was shot entirely in striking black and white. It garnered success at various film festivals, including Canada’s Hollywood North Underground Movie Festival and San Francisco’s Film Arts Foundation Festival. In 2002, Joe tackled New York playwright Peter Dee’s raw portrayal of high school life in "Voices from the High School." The film was well-received at the MeDiA Co-Op Film Festival and continues to achieve strong DVD and video sales to libraries and educational institutions.
Now working on multiple new film concepts and scripts, Joe also produces music videos and diverse visual media projects. Alongside his two children, he maintains boundless enthusiasm for discovering innovative ways to captivate and engage audiences through the screen.
