Nicholas J Benson

The Laboratory
Producer, Visual Effects Supervisor, Special Effects Technician, Art Director, Director, Special Effects Supervisor and Music Supervisor

Henderson, Nevada

Member Since:
February 2013

Last online:
> 2 weeks ago

Invites sent:
7

About Nicholas

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nick Benson spent his early years reading FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND and sneaking downstairs in the middle of the night while his family was sleeping to catch any horror or science fiction movie he could. He also used any free moment to learn and work around such effects masters as Steve Johnson, Todd Masters, & Screaming Mad George.

Now a veteran of the film industry for over 30 years, Nick started as an apprentice film editor in post-production in the early eighties, working and volunteering in almost ALL areas of production. Winning several awards as a producer.

In the effects arena his first features were 1988's "Night of the Demons and 1988's “Dead Heat”. This lucky break was due to his being mentored by colleague, friend, and musician Screaming Mad George.

Nick has also worked in miscellaneous SPFX based roles wearing and learning as many aspects of physical and practical effects as possible, working with FX Studios such as XFX, MastersFX, SMG Inc, KNB Effects Group, and ADI on such films as:
“Night of the Demons”
“Howling IV- The Original Nightmare”
“The Blob”
“A Nightmare on Elm Street IV- The Dream Master”
“Society”
“Tremors”
“Bride of Re-Animator”
“Tales From the Darkside”

You can see complete list of works on his IMDB page at

In 2011 Nick was published in the book “ZBrush Creature Design”
and his most recent film work was included during 2012 in director Albert Pyun’s 50th film “Road To Hell”

Facebook Fan Page -

Unique traits: 35 years in Film 29 years in SPFX

Gender:
Male

Height:
6'

Weight:
190

Body type:
Average

Hair:
Short

Hair color:
Blonde

Eyes:
Blue

Ethnicity:
Caucasian

Certifications

Photos

A retro-spective on all things behind the scenes of "A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master"

GoreZone / GZ Magazine's Bryn Curt James Hammonds new book "The Complete History of The Howling"

Videos

Screaming Mad George and Psychosis - "Transmutation" (1992)

Screaming Mad George and Psychosis - "Persecution Mania" (1992)

Credits

Road to Hell (2012)
Film by Albert Pyun (Action, Fantasy and Musical) Special effects A soldier who has been fighting a long war is driven mad because he no longer believes in any purpose or righteous truth behind the killing. He comes home to a surreal world looking for his first and only love from his youth, believing she will rescue him from his demons. On the road to Edge City he encounters two seductive spree killers who oppose his efforts to find his love and the redemption he desperately seeks. Written by Anonymous
Bulletface (2010)
Film by Howie Askins (Thriller) Special effects Horror and Revenge drive this thriller set in the sex and human trafficking underbelly of a nightmarish city where spinal fluid has become the drug of choice...with frightening consequences.
Flying Saucer Rock 'N' Roll (2006)
Film by Eric Callero (Adventure, Comedy, Horror and Sci-Fi) Sound department 1957. A happy time of big fins, Rockabilly music and innocent teen love... Until the Martians come. In one night three teenagers have their world turned upside down when threatened by Zombie Beatniks, hopped up on space weed and bent on harvesting earth women for Martian demise. Only our square hero Johnny Keen, with help from his beatnik friend, Maynard, can defeat them. But can Johnny become "cool" enough in time to save his girl, Susie, and the day?! Drenched in Rockabilly music and greaser culture, "Flying Saucer Rock N Roll" is one swell ride from start to finish. Written by Slick
Blind Boys of Alabama: Live in Concert (2005)
TV Movie by Virgil E. Hammond III (Music) Miscellaneous Crew
The Down Boys: It Could Happen to You! (1999)
TV Movie by Virgil E. Hammond III (Drama) Producer
D.A.R.E. to Keep Kids Off Drugs (1994)
TV Movie by Virgil E. Hammond III (Crime) Producer San Francisco Giants' Third Baseman, Matt Williams, a Carson City High School graduate, talks with students of the D.A.R.E. program about drugs in sports and philosophies about life and self esteem. This films holds a very special message for all kids. Written by Virgil E. Hammond, III
Dances with Wolves (1990)
Film by Kevin Costner (Adventure, Drama and Western) Special effects Lt. John Dunbar is dubbed a hero after he accidentally leads Union troops to a victory during the Civil War. He requests a position on the western frontier, but finds it deserted. He soon finds out he is not alone, but meets a wolf he dubs "Two-socks" and a curious Indian tribe. Dunbar quickly makes friends with the tribe, and discovers a white woman who was raised by the Indians. He gradually earns the respect of these native people, and sheds his white-man's ways. Written by Greg Bole <bole@life.bio.sunysb.edu>
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990)
Film by John Harrison (Comedy, Horror and Thriller) Special effects This is really three shorter movies, bound together by a fourth tale in which the other three stories are read. The first segment features an animated mummy stalking selected student victims; the second tale tells the story of a "cat from Hell" who cannot be killed and leaves a trail of victims behind it; the third story is about a man who witnesses a bizarre killing and promises never to tell what he saw, and the "in-between" bit is the story of a woman preparing to cook her newspaper boy for supper. Written by Goth <brooks@odie.ee.wits.ac.za>
Tremors (1990)
Film by Ron Underwood (Comedy, Horror and Sci-Fi) Special effects A small town gradually becomes aware of a strange creature which picks off people one by one. But what is this creature, and where is it? At the same time, a seismologist is working in the area, she detects _tremors_. The creature lives underground, and can 'pop up' without warning. Trapped in their town, the town-folk have no escape. Written by Rob Hartill
Gross Anatomy (1989)
Film by Thom Eberhardt (Drama) Special effects A smart first-year med student takes nothing seriously, except the pursuit of his Gross Anatomy (human dissection) lab partner. It's up to her and their teacher to find a way to convince him to take his studies and life seriously. Written by Blue Dragon <movies@sharyl.mailstop.com>
Bride of Re-Animator (1989)
Film by Brian Yuzna (Comedy, Horror and Sci-Fi) Special effects In Peru, Dr. Herbert West and Dr. Dan Cain are medical volunteers in a civil war with the assistant Francesca Danelli and they are researching how to create human life from dead tissue using wounded soldiers as guinea pigs. They return to Miskatonic Hospital and Dan treats a terminal patient, Gloria, and gets close to her. When the snoopy Lt. Leslie Chapham investigates the Miskatonic Massacre, he learns that body parts are missing in the morgue, and Herbert and Dan become his prime suspects. But Herbert kills the lieutenant and revives him with the serum. Meanwhile, Dr. Graves finds the head of Dr. Carl Hill and the green substance that the deceased doctor stole from Herbert, and uses the serum to resurrect Dr. Hill's head. When Gloria dies, Herbert and Dan use her head, with Meg's heart and parts of other women to create the perfect woman. But Lt. Chapham teams up with Dr. Hill to seek revenge against the crazy scientists. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Teito taisen (1989)
Film by Takashige Ichise (Fantasy) Special effects The year is 1945. After the horrific fire-bombings of the Pacific War levels Japan to the ground, the government decides to consult spiritual psychics to aid them in winning the war. Unfortunately, the resentment and agony of the souls of the fire-bombing victims culminate together to revive the evil Onmyoji, Yasunori Kato. Only a young, psychically imbued apprentice of the priests will dare fight against the evil magic user. However, can this lone man possibly contend with Kato's overwhelming power? Written by Voilodion
Society (1989)
Film by Brian Yuzna (Comedy and Horror) Special effects, Miscellaneous Crew, Makeup Department Bill is worried that he is 'different' to his sister and parents. They mix with other 'upper class' people while Bill is more down to earth. Even his girlfriend seems a bit odd. All is revealed when Bill returns home to find a party in full swing. Not for the weak of stomach. Written by Rob Hartill
Howling IV: The Original Nightmare (1988)
Video by John Hough (Horror) Special effects A successful author was sent to the small town Drago because of a nervous breakdown, and gets wound up in a mysterious mystery about demons and werewolves. She starts seeing ghosts and dismisses them as her own imagination, but when they turn out to be real, she starts to get suspicious of the small town and of its past. But at the heart of this scenic, serene village is much darker than its benign appearance; and while she hopes her vacation will dispel her visions, a sinister presence has drawn her there. Soon she will discover that the ghosts that have haunted her are real and that her horrific visions are a mysterious message. Written by Matt Dotzenroth <smdotzen@compmore.net>
Fat Boys: Are You Ready for Freddy (1988)
Film (short) by Harvey Keith (Comedy, Horror, Thriller and Music) Special effects
A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)
Film by Renny Harlin (Horror and Thriller) Special effects Following up the previous Nightmare film, the dream demon Freddy Krueger is resurrected from his apparent demise, and rapidly tracks down and kills all three of the surviving Elm Street kids. However, Kristen (who has the ability to draw others into her dreams) wills her special ability to her friend Alice before her demise. Afterwords, Alice soon realizes that Freddy is taking advantage of that unknown power she now wields to pull a new group of teenage children into his foul domain. Written by David Thiel <d-thiel@uiuc.edu>
The Blob (1988)
Film by Chuck Russell (Horror and Sci-Fi) Special effects Remake of the 1958 horror sci-fi about a deadly blob from another planet which consumes everyone in its path. Teenagers try in vain to warn the townsfolk, who refuse to take them seriously. Written by Rob Hartill
Dead Heat (1988)
Film by Mark Goldblatt (Action, Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi and 1 More) Special effects Roger Mortis and Doug Bigelow are cops that are chasing crooks that are dead serious about crime. Or should I say they are chasing dead crooks perpetrating serious crimes? Seems some nutcase has learned how to bring back the dead and is sending them on crime sprees. Now these indestructable goons are in the way of officers Mortis and Bigelow. To even things up, when Mortis is killed (in the line of duty, of course) he gets a jump start from the Resurrection machine and takes the fight to the zombie bad guys. Written by Tim Kretschmann <Tim.K@VirComm.com>
Night of the Demons (1988)
Film by Kevin Tenney (Horror) Special effects On the night of Halloween, 10 teens decide to go to a party at an abandoned funeral parlor. "Hull House", rumored to be built on an evil patch of land & underground stream, is the place. While starting the party, the teens gather around a big mirror to perform a seance...BIG MISTAKE. They awaken some evil force and find themselves trapped and taken over one by one. Now it's a battle for who can survive and cross over the stream before going to hell.... Written by Crystal <davidz_drummer_chic@hotmail.com>