Allard worked as a special effects technician on One from the Heart, Brainstorm and Let’s Go, which featured robot "Pal," one of the highlights of Japan’s 1985 Expo. "Pal" captured the attention of director John Badham who hired Allard as robotics effects supervisor for Short Circuit and as associate producer on Short Circuit 2, where he created robot "Number Five," the main character in the film. He also was second unit director on Class of 1999, FX 2 and Trilogy of Terror II.

For television, Allard’s All Effects Company created the prosthetic makeup for Alien Nation, Matt Houston and the popular pink bunny for the Chiat/Day "Energizer" commercial.

Born in Syracuse, New York, Allard was raised in Phoenix, Arizona and Southern California, and eventually enlisted in the Army. After qualifying as a Green Beret Engineer Specialist, he was trained for Airborne Ranger, Advanced Demolition, Jungle Expert and Sniper, and graduated with honors.

He received an honorable discharge from the Army and landed a job at Universal Studios as a prop maker in the construction department. His first effects job was working in the robotics prop department on The Black Hole, and then on features such as Noah’s Ark, Dragon Slayer, Sudden Impact and Ghostbusters.