Sergio Stivaletti

Sergio Stivaletti is an Italian special effects artist, make-up artist, director and screenwriter.

Life and career

Born in Rome, while being a student of medicine at the Sapienza University Stivaletti entered the film industry as an uncredited builder of small props in some Pupi Avati films. He got his first credit as special effects artist in Riccardo Freda's Murder Obsession. In 1985, he began a long professional association with Dario Argento, handling special effects and make-up in Phenomena. He is also a frequent collaborator of Michele Soavi and Lamberto Bava both in their film and television projects, and also worked in films by Matteo Garrone, Gabriele Salvatores, Sergio Castellitto and Julie Taymor.
In 1997, Stivaletti debuted as director with Wax Mask, replacing original director Lucio Fulci who had died during the pre-production phase.