Special Effects Artist, Producer, Manager - Gigi Fast Elk Bannister has been in the film industry for over 35 years. "Discovered" while working in a diner in Texas, Gigi started her entertainment career as an in-house model in the `70s contracted to Dale Blanc' & Associates. Her diverse background includes actress, makeup artist, special effects artist, agent, manager, writer, director and producer for stage, film, television and live events.

World renowned for special effects and makeup, Gigi became comfortable on both sides of the camera. She's been in over a dozen films and television shows, is a popular guest at horror conventions, film festivals, film/SFX workshops and seminars. A special effects artist by trade, Gigi is a Producer, director, UPM, location scout, film liaison, and she has appeared in Carnies(2008) (as the Bearded Lady), Small Town Saturday Night (2009) (as Mrs. Cline - with Chris Pine, John Hawkes and Perry Anzilotti) and Don Coscarelli's Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) (Bruce Campbell), and Spring Break Massacre (2006). In another Coscarelli production, of the 14 positions she worked, Gigi was credited as Special Effects Makeup Coordinator for Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998). Other credits for Special Effects include: Dark Path Chronicles (2009), The Quiet Ones (2009), Devil On My Shoulder (2008), Carnies (2008), The Final Curtain (2007) aka Acts of Death, Sigma Die! (2007), Zombie Hunter (2005), Up Against Amanda (2000) among others.

She has produced and directed on numerous projects including dozens of live events, fund raisers and seminars, four (4) independent feature films, and six (6) shows for television and a current webisode in production. Her website and public access show, Nightmarez Cafe (http://www.nightmarez.com), were launched in 1995 with her husband producing and Gigi as horror hostess, "Vampi The Vegetarian Vampire." Vampi's first appearance came in 1974 after blessings by the late Forrest J. Ackerman (Uncle Forrey - creator of Vampirella) to use the name "Vampi" and a similar costume to his creation. "Vampi" went on to make stage appearances at conventions, trade shows, and sporting events. In 1986, Vampi was introduced to television by horror host, "Count Gore DeVol" of "Creature Feature" (WDCA, Ch20, Bethesda, MD.).

Gigi has made a mark for herself in writing, directing and producing political music videos. Her first, was a Native American ("Fast Elk" is her Comanche name, she is also Osage and Chocktaw) music video, Love That's Gone (1997), protesting the onging Yellowstone National Park buffalo slaughter. Her next was Land of the Free (2001) showing the necessity for park land in Long Beach, California. Recently she co-wrote and producer Baby That's Not Right (2007). Each are based on husband, Reggie Bannister's, original music.

Her talents for writing was realized early in life. She's a Golden Poet recipient, has completed a children's story, "The Adventurous Mr. Tiggy," and currently working on a Native American Horror script. When she submitted her original short script, "Miracle,"(a Native American film about the birth of a white Buffalo at Christmas) to both the AFI Director's Workshop for Women (making it to final cuts) and Lake Arrowhead Film Festival, she received the following review: "I loved it! I think this can be expanded to at least an hour's worth of film and would, obviously, make a great holiday TV film... The voices ... were genuine and believable... I believe you have the makings of a wonderful classic! Congratulations!" (Lauren Stone) After producing and hosting a chat show for the horror community, Nightmarez Café, she often produces for public service announcements Every 15 Minutes (high school Anti-Drunk Driving Program), Battlefield Effects, and Mass Casualty/Moulage Makeup.

Born and raised in Texas, Gigi came to explore her Native American lineage in her pre-teen years. She is a descendant of Daniel Boone on one side of her family and of Quannah Parker on the other. The youngest of three daughters, Gigi is the mother of twin daugthers and grandmother of two. At the age of 12 she was introduced to Native American traditions by an (unbeknownst to her) traditional Medicine Man. In 1975, she was given the Comanche Sacred "Medicine Bowl" ceremony (a rare and nearly lost traditional ceremony). In her Native Tradition, "Fast Elk" is a Medicine Bowl Keeper, a Seer (second sight), and Twisted Hair (storyteller).

As a vegetarian, Gigi limits her Special Effects materials to "non-animal" products (with the exception of gelatin) and has developed unique techniques for practical effects. Gigi and her husband are proponents of animal rights.

Gigi also her husband, Reggie Bannister's, personal manager for his music and film careers. Her pet projects include community service and Free Film Camps for youths in her mountain community through her and Reggie's non-profit, The Crestline Creative Arts Foundation. Together, the Bannisters work to help up and coming filmmakers, SFX artists and actors for the next generation.