ETC's Alex Gabucci: "Visual Effects Started to Become More of a Tangible Thing Rather than This Dark Magic"

Born in New Jersey, this dashing young figure of vigour set out from his Atlantic coastal US hometown a few years back, and made short work of conquering the world. No it’s not Bruce Springsteen, it’s Alex Gabucci, who joins Electric Theatre armed with a burgeoning CV packed more densely than the filthiest Italian hotdog or hoagie - or whatever they eat over there - you can imagine.

Starting out at the Absolute Post in New York, Alex freelanced at The Mill in New York for a brief stint before moving to the UK in 2014 to work with CherryCherry as a VFX supervisor, then moved onto MPC and Untold Studios. Some of his work over the last few years includes the John Lewis Christmas ad ‘Excitable Edgar’; PlayStation ‘The Edge’, and many other big projects for some top brands. He also was VFX supervisor for Raine Allen Miller’s debut feature ‘Rye Lane’… so it’s an impressive start for the lad from New Jersey. But you won’t find Alex bragging about his glory days, surely this career is born to run…

Q> Hi there Alex, and a belated happy new year! How does the first month of 2023 find you? 

Alex> Hi, happy new year! It’s finding me well actually, very excited to have started the year out with a new challenge here at ETC.

Q> We hate to be clichéd, but seeing as you’re from New Jersey we have to ask… have you ever seen or met The Boss, aka Mr B Springsteen? (We have but he was far away on a stage)

Alex> Believe it or not, no. He has never been privileged enough to be in my presence.

Q> What’s the best and worst thing about the UK, and do you miss anything about the States?

Alex> It took me a while to get over the fact that not everyone knew what iced coffee actually was when I first moved. It seems people have finally become hip to that here. Also, I miss serious New York / Jersey-style delis, the sandwiches more specifically. I could write volumes on sandwiches, but I won’t bore you.

Q> What inspired you to get into VFX, and what keeps you inspired? 

Alex> I also was interested in film and sci-fi growing up. What finally sealed the deal was when I was working at an edit house on my journey to becoming an editor, there were a couple of flame suites in the office and I found I was spending more time asking questions about flame and VFX than editing. Visual effects started to become more of a tangible thing rather than this dark magic.

As corny as this sounds, I try to find inspiration everywhere, wherever I happen to be. I try to remain observant in my environment. I also watch films and read lots of nerdy books which help, too.

Q> What does 2023 hold for Electric Theatre Collective and the rest of humanity?

Alex> I’m planning on tearing it up and having a lot of fun at Electric Theatre. I’m very excited to be a part of the team here amongst some of the best artists around and getting mixed up in some ambitious projects. As for the rest of humanity, I am remaining optimistic.

Q> Have you ever seen anything strange while paddleboarding - like a narwhal, a giant squid, or Bruce Springsteen? 

Alex> Always keeping an eye out for Bruce out there in the English Channel.

Q> If not Mr Springsteen, who’s your fave musical artist or band? 

Alex> Sorry to disappoint, but Bruce isn’t up there. I like loads of stuff, so this is always a difficult question for me to answer, but my go-to bands are Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Rush, Fleetwood Mac, Radiohead… 

Q> TV, twitter or tedious tomes like Tess of the d'Urbervilles? What are you staring at with your eyes to pass the time these days? 

Alex> As I have two young children, most of the content that I consume is for children. However, I am really looking forward to the new season of Succession. 

Q> Pie and mash or Italian hotdogs? 

Alex> I’m going to level with you: I don’t think I’ve ever had an Italian hotdog, but I imagine it’s breath taking. Since moving to the UK, I have this undying love for fish and chips and tend to eat it whenever it is an option. But I guess that doesn’t answer the question, so I guess pie and mash.

Q> London Pride, Budweiser, a Manhattan or a nice cup of tea?

Alex> London Pride any day.

Ok well it’s a pint of Pride on us. 

Cheers Alex!