Gene du Plessis (aka Eugene du Plessis) was born in South Africa. At age seven he sailed with his family to the Caribbean, and later to the United States. Immigrating to Australia while in his late teens, he gained an interest in professional photography and the artistic medium of pyrography. He attended the New York Film Academy in Burbank, California in his mid twenties, and has subsequently collaborated on over sixty film & T.V. projects. Gene currently lives with his wife, Lauren, in Santa Monica, California where he works as a full time film maker / director. In his spare time he focuses on his photography, art, animal advocacy, and restores classic motorcycles. Once a year, Gene turns his attention to special effects make-up for Halloween which have received national & international recognition. His 2018 eye-opening short film, HERRINGBONE , nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Short and has won eight film awards including  Best Short Film, Best Supporting Actress, and the Short Film Humanitarian Award 2019.