Biography
Filmmaker Gabe Bartalos wrote and directed two feature films: "Skinned Deep" (2004) and his most recent work "Saint Bernard" (2013). Both are renowned for their high-energy surrealism, earning Bartalos a reputation for crafting reality-bending, enigmatic narratives. He also channels his vivid imagination and artistic vision into the music industry, collaborating with bands like The Damned (2003), Street Dogs (2006), The Briggs (2008), and David Byrne and St. Vincent (2013).
Early in his career specializing in special make-up effects, Bartalos made a significant impact in the horror genre by partnering with director Frank Henenlotter on cult classics such as "Brain Damage" (1988), "Frankenhooker" (1990), and "Basket Case 2" (1990). He served as executive producer for Henenlotter’s "Bad Biology" in 2008. Since 1991, Gabe has handled prosthetic make-up effects for acclaimed artist and filmmaker Matthew Barney, working on projects including "The Cremaster Cycle" (1994-2002), "March of the Anal Sadistic Warrior" (1998), "De Lama Lamina" (2007), "Drawing Restraint 9" (2005), and the 2008 Los Angeles live performance of "Ren."
Bartalos has also designed and executed special make-up effects for films like "Leprechaun" (1993), "Sometimes They Come Back" (1991), "The Hollow" (2004), as well as more recent titles such as "Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie" (2012), "Jack and Diane" (2012), and "The Wound" (2013). In 2009, he produced the film "The Mercy Man."
Beyond film, Bartalos has contributed to projects including P.E.T.A.’s "Milk Gone Wild!" Super Bowl commercials, ultra-realistic stitches for FX’s "Nip/Tuck" ad campaigns, video art collaborations with Doug Aitken ("Blow Debris") and Omer Fast ("Take a Deep Breath"), and has worked alongside celebrity photographer Mark Seliger on multiple Rolling Stone magazine shoots featuring Marilyn Manson, Johnny Knoxville, and Will Ferrell.
Gabe owns and operates Atlantic West Effects, a full-service special make-up effects studio specializing in sculpture, prosthetics, and animatronics, serving the motion picture industry for over 20 years.
