Mike Elizalde, whose credits include “X-Men: The Last Stand”, both of the “Fantastic Four” films, both of the “Hellboy” films and most recently “The Land of the Lost” film, has been in the special effects business for over 20 years. Mr. Elizalde was nominated for a “Best Makeup” Oscar for his work on Hellboy II (2008). He is the owner of Spectral Motion an all purpose special effects shop offering Creatures, Props, Special Makeup Effects. His shop specializes in the design and creation of astonishing cinematic creature effects, special makeup effects, animatronics and action props. Mr. Elizalde shares his journey into the world of filmmaking and special effects with GoreMaster.
Like Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller before them, Guillermo del Toro and Troy Nixey will be working closely together on their new horror-film remake “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark,” which will star “Memento” actor Guy Pearce. Del Toro co-wrote and will produce the remake, with Nixey, a former comic book artist with credits on “Batman: Gotham Knights” and Matt Wagner’s “Grendel: Black, White & Red.”
News of Pearce’s recent casting in the movie showed up earlier today over on MTV Movies Blog, along with confirmation that the reworked ’70s ABC telefilm about a demon-possessed house would also feature Katie Holmes and young “Bridge to Terabithia” actress Bailee Madison.
In addition to being del Toro’s protégé, Nixey shares a common collaborator with the “Hobbit” director in “Hellboy” creator Mike Mignola. Nixey contributed artwork to Mignola’s “Jenny Finn” comics.
Thus far, Nixey’s only directorial credit is on his 2007 short film “Latchkey’s Lament,” so “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” should prove to be a big event in his career as his feature debut. Much as Miller had a bona fide star director looking over his shoulder with “Sin City,” Nixey should be getting the best guidance possible for his new venture with del Toro. It should be fun to see what comics’ latest shared human resource with the movie industry produces.
The story centers around a young girl sent to live with her father and his new girlfriend discovers creatures in her new home who want to claim her as one of their own.
GoreMaster Mike Elizalde is the creature design consultant. Mike has extensive credits including Land of the Lost, The Day the Earth Stood Still, X-Men: The Last Stand, Hellboy and so many more. Read more about Mike Elizalde HERE
Jennifer’s Body is written by Academy Award winner Diablo Cody and directed by Karyn Kusama, the film tells the story of a small-town high school hottie Jennifer (Megan Fox) who is possessed by a hungry demon and begins eating boys. Jennifer’s Body hits theaters on September 18th 2009.
The FX Crew:
Gregory Nicotero (Drag Me to Hell, Inglourious Basterds, The Unborn…Greg has done so much work on many great films, you should check out his credits HERE) is the special makeup effects supervisor
Monica Huppert (Snakes on a Plane, Slither, The Chronicles of Riddick) is the makeup department head
Mike Fields (Stargate SG-1, The X-Files, X-Men: The Last Stand) is the special makeup effects artist
Rory Cutler (Jumanji, Blade: Trinity, Scary Movie 3) special effects coordinator
John Sleep (Catwoman, House of the Dead, AVPR: Aliens vs Predator – Requiem) is the special effects foreman
The Tagline for this Adventure, Fantasy, Horror movie: A 1000 year old secret is about to be uncovered
The Story: Set in the Grand Canyon, a team of Smithsonian researchers have stumbled across a lost walled Aztec city guarded by some evil spirits, including a “great flying serpent of death.” As days turn to weeks, Susan Jordan, the daughter of the professor leading the expedition, assembles a team to rescue her father and his colleagues from the clutches of the ancient Aztec warriors and their horrible serpent god.
Michael Shanks stars as Jacob Thain
Shannen Doherty stars as Susan Jordan
The FX Crew:
Brant McIlroy (Catwoman, Scary Movie, Valentine) is the special effects coordinator
John L. Healy (X-Men: The Last Stand, Snakehead Terror, The House Next Door) is the special makeup effects artist
Sarah Bergeest (Impulse, Shred, Latchkey’s Lament) is the key makeup artist
The Creature Fabricators:
Alistair Bell, Howard Lau, Keith Lau, J.P. Mass, Vince Yoshida.
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The Tagline for this Adventure, Fantasy, Horror movie: A 1000 year old secret is about to be uncovered
The Story: Set in the Grand Canyon, a team of Smithsonian researchers have stumbled across a lost walled Aztec city guarded by some evil spirits, including a “great flying serpent of death.” As days turn to weeks, Susan Jordan, the daughter of the professor leading the expedition, assembles a team to rescue her father and his colleagues from the clutches of the ancient Aztec warriors and their horrible serpent god.
Michael Shanks stars as Jacob Thain
Shannen Doherty stars as Susan Jordan
The FX Crew:
Brant McIlroy (Catwoman, Scary Movie, Valentine) is the special effects coordinator
John L. Healy (X-Men: The Last Stand, Snakehead Terror, The House Next Door) is the special makeup effects artist
Sarah Bergeest (Impulse, Shred, Latchkey’s Lament) is the key makeup artist
The Creature Fabricators:
Alistair Bell, Howard Lau, Keith Lau, J.P. Mass, Vince Yoshida.
With a budget of 100 million dollars , Land of the Lost retells the story of a classic ‘70’s TV show. For those unfamiliar, here’s the storyline:
On his latest expedition, Dr. Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell) is sucked into a space-time vortex alongside his research assistant (Anna Friel) and a redneck survivalist (Danny McBride). In this alternate universe, the trio makes friends with a primate named Chaka (Jorma Taccone), their only ally in a world full of dinosaurs and other fantastic creatures. Can they all make it back to our world alive, and if so: Will Dr. Marshall can go from zero to hero with his discoveries?
Look for dinosaurs and the return of the Sleestaks in this adventure/sci-fi/comedy.
IMDB list these talented folks in the Makeup and Special Effects Departments:
Steve Artmont ( Contact ,Constantine , Step Brothers ) is the makeup department head
Roland Blancaflor (Total Recall ,300, Hook) is the prosthetic department supervisor/speciality costumes
Mike Elizalde (Men in Black, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, X-Men: The Last Stand) is the creature and makeup effects designer
Bart Mixon (Iron Man, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest , X-Men: The Last Stand) is the special makeup effects artist
Brian Walsh (Fantastic Four, Hellboy, Lady in the Water) is the makeup production supervisor: Spectral Motion, Inc
Michael Lantieri (Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest) is the special effects supervisor
Russell Lukich ( Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Jurassic Park III ) is the on set supervisor: Key Sculptor, Puppeteer: Spectral Motion
Brent Baker (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Spider-Man, Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer) is the mold department and life-casting supervisor: Spectral Motion.
