Greg Nicotero to Appear at Days of the Dead Indianapolis

Greg Nicotero Heads To Indy

Makeup effects legend Greg Nicotero is gearing up for a weekend of fan encounters and horror celebrations at Days of the Dead in Indianapolis. In an April 2023 Instagram post, Nicotero—whose handle reads @gnicotero—shared his excitement: “Looking forward to seeing some all friends and new fans at Days of the Dead in Indianapolis this weekend! Wahoooo.” That energy is set to fuel one of the biggest genre conventions of the year.

Days Of The Dead: A Fan Landmark

Days of the Dead (DotD) has become a must-attend for horror aficionados, offering panels, autograph sessions, workshops and exclusive screenings. Since its launch in 2011, the convention has expanded to multiple U.S. cities, with Indianapolis hosting its third installment this April. Attendees can browse vendor halls packed with collectibles, vendors and independent artists alongside meet-and-greets with industry icons like Nicotero.

A Horror Fan Favorite

On Instagram, Nicotero’s promo image shows him standing beside a display of his KNB EFX Group creations—a trio of hyper-realistic zombie heads. Fans shouldn’t miss his booth Q&A, where he’ll discuss career highlights and the evolution of in-camera makeup. Nicotero’s credits include dozens of TV and film titles, but he’s best known for serving as executive producer, director and special effects supervisor on AMC’s The Walking Dead. The series, which premiered 15 years ago, launched Nicotero into superstardom and earned him multiple Emmy Awards.

Looking Back At A Legacy

Nicotero’s bond with zombie cinema predates The Walking Dead. To mark the 40th anniversary of George A. Romero’s Day of the Dead, Nicotero joined producer Ed Lammi and composer/AD John Harrison for an exclusive online interview. He shared stories of crafting practical effects for Romero’s undead universe—a passion project that inspired his career. That same fascination drove him to co-found KNB EFX Group in 1988, alongside Howard Berger and Robert Kurtzman, revolutionizing creature effects.

Convention Highlights

Days of the Dead attendees will have several ways to connect with Nicotero:
• Autograph Sessions: Get posters, photos or even personal sketches signed by the master artist.
• Panel Talk: Learn about the making of The Walking Dead’s most gruesome scenes and the behind-the-scenes lore of Romero’s classics.
• Makeup Demos: Watch live demonstrations showing how KNB turns actors into flesh-hungry ghouls.
• Photo Ops: Pose beside life-size statues of TWD walkers and giant prosthetic props.

From Indianapolis To Jaws 50

Beyond the zombie genre, Nicotero’s resume spans decades of genre filmmaking. Last summer, he produced and appeared at JAWS 50 screenings and conventions, celebrating half a century since Steven Spielberg’s shark thriller. He even co-produced the documentary JAWS at 50, directed by Laurent Bouzereau. His ability to shift seamlessly between movies like Dawn of the Dead remakes and mainstream hits illustrates why he’s in constant demand.

Fans who missed his Oklahoma City appearance at Galaxy Con last fall will get another shot in Indianapolis. Nicotero’s conventions are known for their warm rapport: he often greets longtime followers and first-timers alike with equal enthusiasm, sharing anecdotes from on-set pranks to prosthetic mishaps.

Don’t expect Nicotero to merely sign autographs—his weekend schedule also includes surprise giveaways, photo-op props and a peek at upcoming projects. Rumors swirl of a new Romero-inspired short film in development under KNB, and DotD may be the place where he hints at his next big undead creation.

Whether you’re a die-hard Walking Dead devotee, a Romero historian or simply a horror curious, Greg Nicotero’s presence at Days of the Dead Indianapolis promises an unmissable combination of insider know-how and fan-first charisma. Mark your calendars, polish your cosplay and get ready for a weekend of prosthetics, popcorn and pure horror magic.

Always one step ahead in practical effects, Nicotero proves that even after more than three decades, there’s no decay in his passion for the macabre.—

Trivia

Greg Nicotero directed the horror film 'Pulling' in 2014, demonstrating his talent behind the camera.

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Poulami Nag

 

Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.

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