interviews

interview 3

http://www.sticksandstonesfx.com/

E-Mail to: jemrtb@verizon.net

These are some projects he has worked as a makeup artist: Speed, In Search Of Dr. Seuss, Body Snatchers, Die Hard 2, StarTrek III & VI, Terminator 2, The Godfather: Part 3.

Interview reply May 6 2005 by Rob Burman

 

Hello Maria,

I haven't got a lot of time but I'll take a shot at it!

Q. What type of special make-up effect do you consider to be the most popular today in films, commercials, or music video clips?

A. The popular things we've seen lately are CGI, unfortunately. It is the "magic bullet" that everyone thinks is so great. It actually takes a tremendous amount AWAY from our craft. So far all it looks like is well-rendered cartoons unless you spend a mint on it (As in "Gollum").

Q. What is the typical process for the creation of a character or creature? How do you approach it (are there any tricks)?

A. Every character is different. Every client wants things differently and "new". The process can begin with drawings either by us or given to us by production. They then go to sculpture, molds, castings, painting and finishing. Pretty much the same for every one of our creations. A million different ways to do things, this is our basic formula.

Q. What types of materials do you use a lot? What are some interesting or innovative techniques?

A. Our primary materials are latex, silicone, water and oil based clays, plasters and gypsum. Then there is fiberglass, poly-urethanes and vinyl, fabric... there is very little that we can't use but it is rarely what it was invented for.

Q. What famous movies, commercials, music video clips, have you contributed in and what was your favourite in creating the make-up effects for it and why?

A. Let's see... The Thing, Ghostbusters, The Fly, Batman, Star Trek, Seinfeld, Felicity, etc. The list goes on and on.

Each had its own set of difficulties and problems as well as rewards. A favorite? How about whatever one the person I'm talking to liked best at the time. After several hundred projects, they all kind of run together!

Q. Has anyone freaked out on you on a particular effect that you created on them before the filming?

A. In one instance, the person was so claustrophobic that he would not let us lifecast his head. That is the most common freak out. Once, while in China, my model would not let me photograph him because he thought it would steal his soul - even though he was going to be in a movie!. Others there wouldn't let me make them up because they thought that it would hurt or cause them the same pain as the simulated injury.

Q. How has CGI affected you and the special make-up industry in general?

A. CGI has caused the death of the rubber monster as we know it. It has easily taken 30% of my work away and made my industries future quite unstable.

Q. Where do you see special make-up effects ten years from now?

A. You still can't do CGI for a "live" performance so there is always theatre. And as long as there are live actors, they will need some form of make-up. Ten years isn't a long time and things will change but not too drastically.

Eventually, though, the "Best Picture" winner will be some kid that made the movie on his laptop in his parents basement. Of course, he won't be there to accept the award since he will have a math test in the morning!

Hope that helps!

Rob Burman, Sticks and Stones