James Szalapski was a professional screenwriter, cinematographer, producer, and director, born in St. Paul, Minnesota, but who worked in New York City. His works include many documentaries, most notably Heartworn Highways, a 1975 documentary on several country music artists. He was the principle live-action special effects cinematographer for R/Greenberg Associates years starting in 1979. His notable work includes the classic Alien
theatrical teaser (1979), the after-life scene in the 1980 film Resurrection, the opening title sequence in The World According to Garp (1982), and scenes from Ladyhawke working with Vittorio Storaro (1985).
