As a youth, John Alvin was almost as fascinated with the previews of coming attractions as he was with the movies themselves. He couldn't wait for the Sunday paper to arrive to see what movies were playing. He reveals, "from the time I was 12, I think I guided myself unconsciously toward the entertainment industry." Alvin adds, "the closest I could get to the movies without being an actor, author or cinematographer, was to draw 'terrific art' about them."

Alvin acquired a full array of artist's skills and techniques as a student of the distinguished Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles . Soon thereafter, in 1974, he got his chance to put his love of entertainment art and his artist training to work by creating the campaign art for Mel Brook's Blazing Saddles. Looking back, Alvin is surprised at times to realize that he's been creating cinema art for nearly thirty years.