J. Allen Williams
Quick Facts
Biography
Jeffery Allen Williams (born September 27, 1960) is an American animator, writer, producer, musician, and director. Williams founded Parallax Studio in Nixa, Missouri, and presently (2013) continues in the capacity of its CEO.
Williams wrote, animated, edited, produced, and directed the independent science fiction computer game Darkstar: The Interactive Movie.
Early life
Williams was born in Biloxi, Mississippi. He later moved to Kansas City, Missouri where he attended the Kansas City Art Institute. He started a musical group using the stage name "Carmen Wilder" and began working with musicians Bill Bruce, Jimmy Pitts, Brent Frazier, and James Lee Dillard – all of whom would later participate in creating the Darkstar soundtrack.
Career
Darkstar: The Interactive Movie
Williams is most known for having independently created the computer game Darkstar: The Interactive Movie over the course of a decade. In an interview with Tom Chick at Fidget.com, Williams described his role in the massive production:
Darkstar features actor Clive Robertson (Sunset Beach), the original cast of Mystery Science Theater 3000, animations by artist Richard Corben, and the final work of the late actor Peter Graves who narrated the game. Darkstar was released on November 5, 2010 through the Darkstar website and as a downloadable program through Strategy First.
Williams designed various costumes and props for Darkstar. He is one of the three credited composers of the soundtrack, alongside Jimmy Pitts and Bill Bruce.
Everything
In April 2014, the Williams and Parallax Studio launched a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of $12,500 to raise funds for an upcoming film Everything, to be written and directed by Williams. The campaign closed on May 10, 2014 having successfully raised $12,585.
Personal life
Williams lives in Nixa, Missouri. He has a son, Chance, and a daughter, Maggie. Maggie Williams provided voice talent in Darkstar for the quirky robot MAGS (Motorized Automated Girl for Simon), a character that she also created.