First off, what projects are you working on that you want others to know about?
Well some I can’t talk about, but I’ll be in Terrifier 3 coming out soon. I’m also doing paintings – one a week I do. Those are really just for me.
And of course I have my school – the Special Make-Up Effects Program that’s been going full-force for over 25 years now in Monessen, Pa.
I’ve always been a believer that the more you are able to do the more possible it is to make your dreams come true. If you’ve seen the murals around Pittsburgh, you’ll have seen the one of Fluffy the Crate Creature from Creepshow. It’s pretty rewarding seeing it – right near where I grew up downtown and still live today.
You have worked on so many things – special effects, as a stuntman, acting, written books, painting – how do you manage to become so adept at all of it?
That’s a good question. Growing up, my father could do anything – he was a painter, barber, repairman, carpenter… I thought growing up that you were supposed to do many things well. If I was interested in something I had to master it. When they asked if I could do makeup I said “Yeah,I can do it!” and I learned afterwards. When they asked me to fall over a railing at the Monroeville Mall, I said “Yeah, I can do it!” then learned how to master it.
I think that desire to learn is gone today. I saw an interview with college students. They asked them two questions. Who won the Civil War, and many didn’t know the answer. Then they asked them what show Snookie was on and most knew it! I think 80% of people are just fucking morons. There’s a pandemic of stupidity in this country. I think it’s always been that way too – but with the internet now everyone’s stupidity can be seen.
I wrote my grandson a beautiful note when he was in the Marines. But he couldn’t read it because it was in cursive. I think if the older generation wanted to take over this country we’d put dial phones in every room and put the instruction on how to use them in cursive!
Who helped mentor you as a special effects master and as an actor?
I think anyone who says they are self-made – that’s just not true. I taught myself stuff but I had a lot of help – since high school really. At Central Catholic the brothers there were inspirational with their love of actual learning. Most now teach on how to pass tests. But for me the actual learning was where the fun was. I wanted to know more things.
My first sentence of my first book was “The more you do the more you get to do.” When I did the conferences for horror fans, two times I had people come up to me saying they wanted to do away with themselves, but that something I did inspired them. Those were the highest compliments I ever got. I hugged them and gave them pictures. James Dohan had someone say the same to him.
We all have influences. At first I was arrogant going to those events – people would come and idolize you – you’d go and be adored by them. But now it’s a pleasure to go and meet the fans. They want to learn.
As for who mentored me. George Romero, of course. I did nine movies with him – he was only six years older than me! Robert Rodriguez too. George Clooney – now he was one of the nicest people I ever met. It proves being nice doesn’t have to take effort.
How has Pittsburgh influenced you?
Well, I’m still in the same house I was born and raised in. I’ve worked all over the world but come home to Blumfield. George Romero was the same way. I’ve done 67 movies and don’t have to live in Hollywood to make them. When I’m in L.A., it always feels like people are asking if you are somebody – should they talk to you – is there a reason to talk to you? In Pittsburgh – it’s like my quiet little secret. There’s a reason it’s been voted the most livable city n the country.
What made you decide to explore special effects as a profession – I read about how your work as a combat photographer in Vietnam impacted you. How so?
The Vietnam thing is a myth, really. It really started when I was 11 and saw “The Man of 1,000 Faces”. That move got me interested in special effects makeup.
It really started because I was always interested in magic. My grandkids think I’m a wizard. That’s why my books on special effects make up are called “Grand Illusions”. I think of it as a sort of magic. What we do is make people believe what they are seeing is really happening. That’s like a magic trick.
In the 80’s I was known as the splatter king. But Creepshow was my real masterpiece. I had created creatures and monsters – it was less about gore. Gore was the solution to a problem on how to make people believe something. But magic, music and monsters are my real universe. My MP3s, then local theater and magic.
What are your favorite moments from some of those movies like From Dusk til Dawn, Machete Kills…
They were so much fun. People don’t realize that before then I had eight years of repertoire theater in North Carolina, before I went to CMU. I was doing plays and was Ben Franklin, King Arthur, Charlie Brown, a drug addict….It was so much more different than every day life – I couldn’t imagine sitting in an office every day. In those plays, I did my own makeup first then went and acted. I was poor as shit then but it was some of the happiest times of my life.
I never had a problem with an actor. Never a bad experience. I hate movie acting though compared to plays. I love the results, but the repetitiveness is awful. The repeated takes then stops. Sinatra used to do one take and leave. I understand that mentality. It just drains your energy.
What was it like working on that Dusk til Dawn set? A lot of heavyweights on the crew and Tarantino directing.
I remember when I first showed up on the Dusk til’ Dawn set. Robert Rodriguez, George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino were walking by me when Robert told me he had a great Jackie Chan bit in the movie for me. I always carried my portfolio with me, so I grabbed a picture out of me and Jackie Chan in Hong Kong, with Jackie giving me a thumbs up. The looks they gave me was amazing. You couldn’t script it!
Are you excited about the Pittsburgh film scene – is it growing – what more can it do to do so?
I have friends who have friends who are on the board. They are trying to give better tax breaks for film producers – they are looking into it. I think it could be bigger. I mean, Hollywood is in Atlanta now. There have been over 140 movies filmed in Pittsburgh. The funny thing is, I only acted in one movie in Pittsburgh that was from out-of-town. The Perks of a Wallflower. Most of the out-of-town movies are already cast and the crews are all set in advance. The ones I get involved with from out-of-town are ones who the people were from Pittsburgh and think of me.
How did you get the From Dusk til’ Dawn role?
Greg Nicotero suggested me to Quentin. Quentin used to come to the horror conventions before he was famous and tell me he was a big fan. He asked me to come to the video store he worked at to sign some stuff, which I did.
Now, he’s hired me five times. He actually wanted me to play Fred Williamson’s part – Frost. But then I saw the Sex Machine role and wanted that. They I think wanted me for Frost because of the Vietnam speech, but we ended up switching parts.
Fred was a former Steelers player! I spoke with him years ago.
Yes – The Hammer! He and I are good friends. He had s cigar factory in Jamaica and was constantly bringing us fresh cigars. Did he tell you about the Hummer when you spoke with him?
No I don’t think he had it then.
Well, he convinced them to change the name on his to “Hammer” instead of “Hummer”! He is the coolest man, ever.
On sports- are you a sports fan? Follow Pittsburgh sports?
Not really. When the Steelers are winning, sure. I follow fencing in the Olympics since I was a tournament fencer. And tennis. Golf is ridiculous. How anyone calls something that silly a sport I don’t know!
Lastly, what advice would you give someone trying to break into the special effects business today?
Learn how!
If only there was a school to show them?
I know the best one in the country is in Monessen, PA!
I get letters from kids with pictures of sponges on their head with fake blood. Come on. They don’t know anything. Learn how to really do it. And photograph all that you do and put those photos in front of those that can hire you. That’s how you do it!