Jim Henson’s workshop to life sized dinosaur displays; Special Effects Artist Alan Groves amazing journey

Alan Groves is an amazing sculptor and dinosaur/creature creator. His began his career in film during the 1980s with the Jim Henson Co. His journey has taken him on a different path now creating impressive life size dinosaur sculptures for displays and National Geograpic pictorials.

 

Here are some excerpts from GoreMaster.com’s interview with Alan Groves:

 

 

GM:  How have you gotten work in the industry?

     Alan:   ”To get work in the film or television industry you have to keep at it. It’s a full time job, which takes constant long hours and hard work. Never give up. It’s a tough career, but nevertheless a very rewarding one.”

GoreMaster: How did you get started working in the Special Effects industry?

     Alan:  ”I got a job on Labyrinth (1986) with Jim Henson. I was in the right place at the right time.”

Alan Groves: ….”Try not to stick to one area of expertise.  Most people just want to sculpt and apply make up. Find out about animatronics, robotics, pyrotechnics and physical effects. Learn how to make plaster and silicone moulds. The more you know, the more you have to offer”

 

Alan talks about working with earthenware clays, sulphur free plasteline (Chavant NSP medium), silicone rubbers (Wacker and Dow Corning) and isophthalic resins with fiberglass and more!

 

GoreMaster.com http://www.goremaster.com is a site dedicated to special effects artists, creature creators, makeup gurus and the films, television shows, and theater productions they enhance and make fun!

 

 

 

 

 

Watchmen Director’s Cut DVD And Blu-Ray Clips

 

Josh Tyler– CinemaBlend.com

 If there’s one movie you absolutely must have on Blu-Ray this year, it has to be Watchmen. Just imagine those glowing blues of Dr. Manhattan popping off your television, or the dark, film noir shadows lurking on your screen as Rorschach stalks the streets of your disc. You’ve gotta have it.
  

   It arrives both on Blu-Ray and DVD as a 2-disc Special Edition Director’s Cut in just a few weeks on July 21st. Warner Bros. has given us a sneak peek at just some of what you can expect loaded onto this disc, with a series of clips showcasing some of the film’s behind the scenes features along with flat out badass scenes that you won’t be able to live without seeing again.

 

Crew edited by Mark Gorelord – GoreMaster.com

 Make Up Department
  Anji Bemben … hair department head
  Greg Cannom … special makeup designer
  Rita Ciccozzi … key makeup artist
  Rosalina Da Silva … makeup department head
  Emanuela Daus… makeup artist
  Cara Doell … assistant hair stylist
  Vanessa Giles … assistant makeup artist
  Celine Godeau … tattoo artist
  Will Huff … special makeup effects artist
  Jason James … mold/lab technician
  Jim Knell … production photographer: Drac Studios
  Rebecca Lee … assistant makeup artist
  Carrie LeGrand … makeup production supervisor: Drac Studios
  Harvey Lowry … director of operations: Drac Studios
  Sharon Markell … assistant hair stylist
  Mark Nieman … silicone prosthetic supervisor: Drac Studios
  Geoff Redknap … special makeup effects artist
  Rick Stratton … tattoos
  Miles Teves … makeup designer
  Miles Teves … special makeup effects artist
  Todd Tucker … creative director: Drac Studios
  Steve Winsett … special makeup effects artist
  Jacqueline Robertson Cull … wig maker (uncredited)

 

Special Effects Department
  Dan Cervin … special effects first assistant
  Jerry Constantine … special effects makeup
  Dan Crawley … special effects technician
  Brandon Ellison … special effects technician
  Brandon Engstrom … special effects technician
  Janet Pearce¹ … special effects technician
  Bill Fesh … special makeup effects technician: Quantum Creation FX, Inc.
  Damian Fisher … special effects technician
  Christopher Gilman … special lighting effects: Dr. Manhattan: Global Effects Inc.
  Chris Hampton … special effects supervisor
  Nicholas Hiegel … model maker
  Kelly Kerby … pyrotechnician
  Alan McFarland … special lighting effects: Dr. Manhattan: Global Effects Inc.
  Randy Pike … special lighting effects: Dr. Manhattan: Global Effects Inc.
  Dale Shippam … special effects technician
  Charles Sowles … costume specialist
  Andrew Verhoeven … special effects: electronics
  Adam Walls … special effects technician
  Joel Whist … special effects coordinator
  Brad Zehr … special effects technician
  Suma Adams … seaming and patching department: Quantum Creation FX, Inc. (uncredited)
  Ozzy Alvarez … special makeup effects technician: Quantum Creation FX, Inc. (uncredited)
  Jason Barnett … special makeup effects technician: Quantum Creation FX, Inc. (uncredited)
  Sophia Coronado … specialty costumes: Quantum Creation FX, Inc. (uncredited)
  Robert Kato DeStefan … body shop technician: Quantum Creation FX, Inc. (uncredited)
  Megan Flagg … special effects technician: Quantum Creation FX (uncredited)
  Joe Gomez … mold shop supervisor: Quantum Creation FX, Inc. (uncredited)
  Carol Koch … sculptor: Quantum Creation FX (uncredited)
  Steve Koch … sculptor: Quantum Creation FX, Inc. (uncredited)
  Jacqueline Makkee … seaming and patching dept: Quantum Creation FX, Inc.(uncredited)
  Walter Phelan … special makeup effects technician: Quantum Creation FX, Inc. (uncredited)
  Justin Raleigh … prosthetic suits supervisor: Quantum Creation FX Inc. (uncredited)
  Justin Raleigh … specialty costumes: Quantum Creation FX, Inc. (uncredited)
  Ray Shaffer … special effects lab technician: Quantum Creation FX, Inc. (uncredited)
  Brett Stern … special effects costume painter: Quantum Creation FX, Inc. (uncredited)
  Chris Wolters … mechanical designer: Quantum Creation FX, Inc. (uncredited

Dark Knight Receives Five Saturn Awards, WALL-E Wins for Animation

Press Release from the Saturn Awards – 6/29/09

It was a stellar evening for “The Dark Knight” as the Christopher Nolan film garnered five Saturn Awards at the 35th Annual Saturn Awards. The film was named Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film. The Warner Bros. release also received awards for Best Writing: Christopher Nolan & Jonathan Nolan, Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, Best Music: Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, and Best Special Effects.

Also receiving multiple Saturn Awards were “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Iron Man” which won three Saturn Awards apiece.

“Battlestar Galactica” proved to be the most decorated series of the evening with three Saturn Awards including Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series, Best Actor on Television: Edward James Olmos, and Best Actress on Television: Mary McDonnell. “Lost” received the Saturn Award for Best Network Series. Show co-creator, J.J. Abrams accepted the award on stage.

The highlight at the awards ceremony were the special awards presented throughout the evening. Actor Lance Henriksen received the Life Career Award for his strong body of work in film and television. Actor Ed Harris presented the award to Henriksen on stage.

DreamWorks Animation studio head, Jeffrey Katzenberg, was awarded the inaugural Visionary Award for his efforts in advancing 3D film presentation. Top filmmaker Jerry Bruckheimer presented this prestigious award to Mr. Katzenberg at the event.

Genre icon Leonard Nimoy was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in film and television which covers five decades. Mostly known for his portrayal of the Vulcan, Mr. Spock, Leonard’s accomplishment extend to many more projects including the series, Mission Impossible, Columbo, and the recent show, Fringe. Presenting the award was top filmmaker J.J. Abrams, who recently directed the hit film, Star Trek, for Paramount Pictures.

Many genre leaders were in attendance including: Michael Emerson and Mark Pellegrino (from Lost), Zachary Levi, Justin Hartley, Kevin Feige, Jack Coleman, Cristine Rose and Adrian Pasdar (from Heroes), Scott Porter, Ann Robinson, Sean Faris, Carlos Bernard (24), Kristin Bell, Andrea Roth, Casper Van Dien, Kevin Sorbo, Jim Parsons & Simon Helberg (from The Big Bang Theory), Larry Cohen, Frank Darabont, Greg Cannom, Michael Biehn, Jennifer Carpenter, Dean Devlin, Edward James Olmos, Tom DeSanto, Vince Gilligan, Aaron Paul (from Breaking Bad), James Newton Howard, and Hans Zimmer. This year’s reception was hosted by Entertainment Weekly. The Afterparty was sponsored by Highlander Films.

The 35th Annual Saturn Awards were presented by The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, a non-profit organization created in 1972 to honor, recognize and promote genre entertainment. The Academy was founded by noted film historian, Dr. Donald A. Reed, who passed away in 2001. Robert Holguin currently serves as President of the Academy. Mark Altman is Co-President of the Saturn Awards.

Best Science Fiction Film:
IRON MAN

Best Fantasy Film:
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Best Horror Film:
HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY

Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film:
THE DARK KNIGHT

Best Actor:
ROBERT DOWNEY, JR.
(Iron Man)

Best Actress:
ANGELINA JOLIE
(Changeling)

Best Supporting Actor:
HEATH LEDGER
(The Dark Knight)

Best Supporting Actress:
TILDA SWINTON
(The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
Best Performance by a Younger Actor:
JADEN CHRISTOPHER SMITH
(The Day the Earth Stood Still)

Best Director:
JON FAVREAU
(Iron Man)

Best Writer:
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN and JONATHAN NOLAN (The Dark Knight)

Best Music:
HANS ZIMMER and JAMES NEWTON HOWARD (The Dark Knight)

Best Costume:
MARY ZOPHRES
(Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull)

Best Make-Up:
GREG CANNOM
(The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)

Best Special Effects:
NICK DAVIS, CHRIS CORBOULD, TIMOTHY WEBBER, PAUL J. FRANKLIN
(The Dark Knight)

Best International Film:
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN

Best Animated Film:
WALL-E

Best Television Series:
LOST

Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

Best Presentation on Television:
THE LIBRARIAN: THE CURSE OF THE JUDAS CHALICE

Best Actor on Television:
EDWARD JAMES OLMOS
(Battlestar Galactica)

Best Actress on Television:
MARY MCDONNELL
(Battlestar Galactica)

Best Supporting Actor on Television:
ADRIAN PASDAR
(Heroes)

Best Supporting Actress on Televison:
JENNIFER CARPENTER
(Dexter)

Guest Starring Role on Television:
JIMMY SMITS
(Dexter)

Best DVD Release:
JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER

Best DVD Special Edition Release:
STEPHEN KING’S THE MIST (2 disc Special Edition)

Best DVD Classic Film Release:
PSYCHO (Universal Legacy Series)

Best DVD Collection:
THE GODFATHER-THE COPPOLA RESTORATION

Best Series on DVD:
MOONLIGHT

Best Retro Series on DVD:
THE INVADERS

The Life Career Award:
LANCE HENRIKSEN

The Lifetime Achievement Award:
LEONARD NIMOY

The Visionary Award:
JEFFREY KATZENBERG

GoreMaster Dick Smith honored June 17

GoreMaster Dick Smith

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has arranged a special evening celebrating the career of master makeup artist, Dick Smith on Wednesday June 17, 2009 at 7:30PM at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater, 8949 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

   Artist and honoree Dick Smith will be joined by Master of Ceremonies Rick Baker and special speakers and top makeup artists Greg Cannom, Kazuhiro Tsuji, Kevin Haney and Mike Elizalde, along with other guests. 

   Academy Governor Leonard Engelman says that ”many of the applications and materials, common today, were introduced by Dick Smith.  Always at the forefront of the art of makeup, Dick pioneered the artistry of special makeup effects; was one of the first to incorporate overlapping appliances for greater mobility and therefore greater believability; researched and brought to the forefront medical adhesives such as the original ’355 Adhesive’ and Pros Aide; and created the coloring and sealing material PAX which changed the look and longevity of appliances.  You have these processes and materials today because Dick was generous and always ready to share with other makeup artists.”

   If you are in Los Angeles and are a fellow local 706 makeup and hairstylist union member, IATSE craftsperson or just a film buff or aspiring makeup artist,  go here  www.Oscars.com to reserve a spot for “The Dick Smith Tribute”. 

Enjoy this 20/20 Special on Rick Baker Dick Smith and Special Effects Make-Up and the Academy Awards

 

   Once a pre-med student at Yale, Smith’s work included films as “The Godfather I & II”, “The Exorcist,” “Taxi Driver”, “The Stepford Wives” and “Scanners.” He won an Academy Award in 1984 for Makeup for his work on “Amadeus.”  His professional career began in the late forties, on a film “Call Northside 777.”

   Smith worked in smallscreen on the Kraft Television Theatre in the fifties, and later on Goth potboiler, “Dark Shadows,” in the sixties.

   Smith revolutionized the manufacturing and usage of foam latex pieces for prosthetic makeup versus the standards of the time.

Get the DVD  “A Tribute to Dick Smith”

 

..get started in Make Up Special Effects by clicking  GoreMaster.com

Don’t Forget to Sign up for our FREE Newsletter

For Email Marketing you can trust