Greg Strause

Biography

Greg Strause is an acclaimed visual effects artist and director who, along with his brother Colin Strause, has made significant contributions to the film industry. Known for blending cutting-edge visual effects with compelling storytelling, Greg has worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest franchises.

Early Life

Greg Strause was raised in Waukegan, Illinois, where he developed an early interest in filmmaking and special effects. As a teenager, he honed his skills in computer graphics and animation, creating amateur films that showcased his talent for visual storytelling. His passion for cinema eventually led him to move to Los Angeles, where he began his career in the visual effects industry.

Career

Visual Effects Career

Greg Strause started his career as a visual effects artist, working for top studios like Digital Domain and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). His expertise in visual effects earned him opportunities to contribute to several high-profile films, including:

• Titanic (1997): Contributed to groundbreaking effects that won the film an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
• The Day After Tomorrow (2004): Supervised visual effects that depicted cataclysmic climate disasters.
• 300 (2006): Worked on the iconic visual style of the film, which blended live-action with digital effects.
• Avatar (2009): Contributed to the revolutionary effects that defined the film’s immersive experience.
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Greg, along with his brother Colin, eventually co-founded their own visual effects studio, Hydraulx, which became renowned for its high-quality work on blockbusters like Iron Man 2 (2010), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007).

Directorial Career

Greg Strause expanded his repertoire by stepping into directing, often collaborating with his brother Colin. Together, the Strause Brothers directed films that emphasized their strengths in visual effects and action-oriented storytelling.

Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007):
The duo’s first major feature film as directors, Requiem, blended the Alien and Predator franchises into a dark, violent sci-fi horror. Despite mixed critical reception, the film was a financial success, showcasing their ability to helm large-scale productions.

Skyline (2010):
A science fiction thriller about an alien invasion in Los Angeles, Skyline utilized Hydraulx’s visual effects expertise. Although the film received mixed reviews, its innovative effects and low-budget success ($10–20 million budget against $68 million box office) cemented the Strause Brothers as creative risk-takers.

Beyond Skyline (2017, Producer):
Greg contributed as a producer to this sequel, further expanding the Skyline universe.

Hydraulx Studio

Greg and Colin Strause co-founded Hydraulx, a Los Angeles-based visual effects studio, in 2002. Under their leadership, the studio has become a major player in the industry, delivering effects for numerous blockbusters, TV shows, and commercials. Hydraulx’s work is distinguished by its technical innovation and creative excellence.

Notable Projects

Film Visual Effects:

• The Avengers (2012)
• San Andreas (2015)
• 2012 (2009)
• Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

Commercials:
Greg’s studio has also worked on high-profile commercial campaigns, partnering with brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, and Audi.

Awards and Recognition

While Greg Strause has not won individual accolades, his visual effects work on films like Titanic and Avatar has been part of Oscar-winning teams. His contributions to the visual effects industry have been widely recognized, solidifying his reputation as a pioneer in the field.