Gigi "Fast Elk" Bannister, a multifaceted individual with a career spanning over 35 years in the film industry, has worn many hats - director, actress, special effects artist, producer, manager, and more. Her journey began when she was discovered while working in a Texas diner, contracting with Dale Blanc' & Associates as an in-house model in the 1970s.
Gigi's diverse background includes acting, makeup artistry, special effects, agency work, management, writing, directing, and producing for various mediums, including stage, film, television, and live events. Her passion for teaching others led her to pursue a degree at Riverside City College, where she worked on several student projects and completed a student film, The Intruders, a reboot of the Twilight Zone: Invaders.
The Intruders is a 10-minute black-and-white short film shot on a Panasonic 4K camera in 1080 format. Gigi stars as a widow in a remote mountain cabin, battling intruders from outer space. The film features Reggie Bannister as the narrator, Ken Cress as the voice of the Ship Captain, and many Riverside City College film students and locals from the mountain community.
As a special effects artist and production worker, Gigi has appeared in over a dozen films and television shows, is a popular guest at horror conventions, film festivals, workshops, and seminars. Her credits include producer, production manager, location scout, film liaison, and more. She has worked on projects such as Phantasm V: Ravager, One For the Road, Bloody Bloody Bible Camp, Carnies, Small Town Saturday Night, Bubba Ho-Tep, Spring Break Massacre, and many more.
Gigi's creative endeavors extend to writing, directing, and producing political music videos. Her notable works include "Love That's Gone," "Land of the Free," and "Baby That's Not Right." She is a Golden Poet recipient and has completed a children's story, "The Adventurous Mr. Tiggy," with a Native American Horror script in the works.
Gigi's talent for writing was recognized early in life, and she has received accolades for her original short script, "Miracle," a Native American film about the birth of a white buffalo at Christmas. She has also produced and hosted a chat show, "Nightmarez Café," and has worked on public service announcements, including "Every 15 Minutes" and "Battlefield Effects."
As her husband's personal manager, Gigi oversees his music and film careers. Her pet projects include community service, Haunted Houses, and Free Film Camps for youths in her mountain community through her non-profit, the Crestline Creative Arts Foundation.
