Kris Millsap
An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion, which will decide whether or not to retain it. |
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Kris Millsap is an American visual effects artist, motion designer, and creative director known for his work across film, television, and animation. With a career spanning over two decades, Millsap is recognized for blending practical and digital techniques to craft visually compelling stories, often rooted in genre cinema and countercultural aesthetics.
He apprenticed under legendary title designer Dan Perri and is a partner at Trailers From Hell, a cult film platform co-founded by director Joe Dante. Millsap also produces The Movies That Made Me podcast, hosted by Dante and screenwriter Josh Olson, where he collaborates with iconic figures in the film industry.
Millsap’s creative contributions range from high-end motion graphics and title sequences to concept development for animated series. He is the creator of American She-Wolf[1][2], an adult animated grindhouse series currently in development, which draws inspiration from 1970s exploitation cinema and modern auteur filmmaking.
Known for his technical precision and cinematic sensibilities, Millsap has become a sought-after collaborator in both commercial and narrative projects, with a reputation for elevating visual storytelling through innovative design and genre storytelling.
Early life and education
[edit]Kris Millsap was born on March 8, 1977, in Nashville, Tennessee, to Bob and Sherri Millsap, influential country music publishers responsible for hit songs recorded by artists such as Olivia Newton-John, George Jones, and Anne Murray. In 1980, his family relocated to Branson, Missouri, where his parents opened a recording studio – signing artists such as Pat Boone and Roy Clark. They also operated The Video King, one of the first video rental stores in south-west Missouri.
Millsap attended the University of Kansas from 1995 to 1999, majoring in Theater and Film with a minor in Advertising. During his college years, he interned at Wright/Laird Casting in Kansas City, working on commercials and assisting in the production of Ang Lee's Ride with the Devil (1999).
Career
[edit]Broadcast television and promotions
[edit]After college, Millsap became the station manager at UPN 15/17 in Branson, Missouri, making him the youngest station manager in the country at the time. He oversaw programming, on-air promotions, and strategic partnerships, including collaborations with WWE and the UPN network.
Following UPN 15/17's merger with KYTV in Springfield, Missouri, he became the promotions manager and produced Insider Cinema, a weekly hosted movie series starring local radio personalities Kevin Howard and Liz Delaney. The series became a regional cult favorite, running for 50 episodes over an 18-month span.
Social Saga and early online video
[edit]In 2006, Millsap co-founded Social Saga with Josh Millstein, a pioneering digital media company that experimented with early interactive video technology. Social Saga developed systems allowing users to make selections at the end of a video, creating a Choose Your Own Adventure-style viewing experience. The platform won the 2007 People's Choice Award at SXSW.[3]
Trailers from Hell and The Movies That Made Me
[edit]In 2011, Millsap joined Trailers from Hell, the cult-favorite platform co-founded by director Joe Dante. He served as head of interactive and produced The Movies That Made Me, the official TFH podcast hosted by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson and Joe Dante. The podcast, part of the SpectreVision podcast network, has featured an roster of guests, including Guillermo del Toro, Joe Bob Briggs, Scott Adkins, Roger Corman, Bill Hader, Casey Affleck, Joe Carnahan, Adam McKay and RZA.
In 2022, Millsap negotiated the agreement for the launch of the Trailers From Hell AVOD streaming channel with Best Ever Channels. He oversaw development and leveraged his television programming expertise to curate the launch of the channel's 24/7 content, featuring TFH's extensive library of more than 1,800 trailers and filmmaker commentaries.
Visual effects, motion graphics and film production
[edit]Millsap apprenticed under title designer Dan Perri, known for creating the Star Wars logo and designing title sequences for Taxi Driver, The Exorcist and Airplane!. He animated Perri's static designs and noted that Perri was the only apprentice of designer Saul Bass.[citation needed]
As a visual effects and motion graphics artist, Millsap has worked with brands including Intel, T-Mobile, Wendy's, ICEE and Coca-Cola. In 2019, he designed the trade show experience for CinemaCon title sponsor Coca-Cola, creating awards show graphics, introduction videos, and animated art installations at Caesars Palace and the OMNIA Nightclub.
His expertise in motion graphics and title design extends to the entertainment industry. He collaborated with MK12 co-founder Ben Radatz to develop the motion graphics for the art installation featured in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (S01E04) on Apple TV+. Additionally, he has created opening production credits for Renfield Productions, Hemlock Circle Productions, futureIII entertainment corporation, Caption Entertainment, Newport Coast Entertainment and Creative Media Arts.
Currently, Millsap is co-producer on TOAD[4][5][6], a new film directed by Adam Rifkin. He oversees visual effects and animation while also designing the film's title and pitch materials used to secure financing.
American She-Wolf
[edit]Millsap is the co-creator of American She-Wolf[7], a grindhouse-style animated series developed with Lance Dobbins and currently in development with futureIII entertainment, the production company founded by Brad Wyman, Michael P.J. Gerstein, and Adam Rifkin, with Joe Dante attached as producer.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Trailers From Hell | Head of Interactive | |
| 2014 | That Guy Dick Miller | Special Thanks | Promotional Materials |
| 2018 | Camp Cold Brook | Visual Effects | director: Andy Palmer |
| 2019 | Justice for Vincent | Visual Effects | director: Andy Palmer |
| 2020 | Witness Infection | Visual Effects | director: Andy Palmer |
| 2023 | The Re-Education of Molly Singer | Title Designer | director: Andy Palmer |
| 2023 | Leave the World Behind | Title Design (uncredited) | with Dan Perri |
| 2023 | Airports | Walter Matuschanskayasky | co-directors: Josh Olson, Adam Rifkin |
| 2023 | Night Hawks (short) | Title Design | with Dan Perri |
| 2024 | Lockdown Romance (short) | Title Design & VFX | writer/director: Alexandra Zahav |
| 2024 | Last Train to Fortune | Title Design, Collateral Materials
& Trailer Editor |
director: Adam Rifkin |
| 2025 | Black Diamond | VFX | director: Judd Bloch |
| In Development | Don't Tell a Soul | Title Design & Teaser Poster | writer/director: Dan Stone |
| Production | Toad | Co-Producer & VFX Coordinator | director: Adam Rifkin |
| Post Production | Designer | Visual Effects Producer |
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Kung Fu Pork Choppers (US) | Title Animation | with John and Anthony Gentile |
| 2023 | Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (S01E04) | Visual Effects | Art Gallery Installation during flashbacks (with Ben Radatz) |
| 2025 | Trailers From Hell Presents
the Holomax Halloween Special |
Producer | Compilation special featuring the shorts of Joe & Lloyd Stas (aka Holomax) |
| In Development | American She-Wolf | Showrunner and Co-Creator | Produced by Joe Dante and futureIII entertainment |
Awards and recognition
[edit]- Best in Show - ADDY Awards (Springfield, MO)[8]
- SXSW People Choice Award (for Social Saga)[3]
- Rondo Horror Awards x2
References
[edit]- ^ Kellerman, Annette. "SDCC '19: Joe Dante Presents American She-Wolf, A New Graphic Novel". Aint It Cool News. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ Kellerman, Annette. "SDCC '19: Joe Dante Presents American She-Wolf, A New Graphic Novel". Aint It Cool News. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ a b Needleman, Rafe (March 12, 2007). "SXSW Web Awards winners: Strange choices". CNET. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2025-01-18). "Katt Williams Trippin' Out For Adam Rifkin's 'Toad'". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2024-09-18). "Laugh Factory Expands Into Feature Film Production With Adam Rifkin's "Toad"". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (2025-02-04). "Tiffany Haddish, James Franco & Christopher Meloni Join Psychedelic Comedy 'Toad': EFM". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ Squires, John (2019-07-18). "Joe Dante Presents 'American She-Wolf,' a Brand New Comic Series!". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ "Springfield Ad Club dishes out annual Addy awards". Springfield Business Journal. 2003-02-09. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
External links
[edit]- Kris Millsap on IMDB
- Trailers From Hell
- The Movies That Made Me (Podcast)