Sam Nicholson, ASC, is CEO and founder of Stargate Studios, an award-winning international production company that specializes in visual effects and virtual production.

A graduate of the UCLA school of Fine Arts, Sam has been involved in film and television production for over 40 years, beginning as on-set visual effect supervisor on Star Trek: The Motion Picture and the groundbreaking “Max Headroom”. From there, he founded Stargate Studios and has provided over 30 years of award-winning visual effects for numerous shows including “The Walking Dead”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “24”, and the feature film Happytime Murders starring Melissa McCarthy. Most recently, Sam and Stargate oversaw the real-time in-camera visual effects for HBO’s “Run” which aired to critical acclaim.

As a member of the ASC, Sam combines years of experience with film cameras, cinematic lighting, optical printing, motion control and film finishing with an extensive knowledge of digital camera systems. Sam is also a member of the DGA, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, a multiple award-winning member of the Visual Effects Society and he serves on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Technical Awards committee.