Stargate: The Ark of Truth DVD will release on March 11, 2008THE INVASION on video on 1/29/08THE EYE in Theaters Feb 1stDEXTER comes to CBS ~ February 17th at 10:00 pm ET/PTSTARGATE ATLANTIS WINS the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD - Best Sci-Fi!Sci Fi Channel renews Stargate Atlantis for a 5th Season!Mastersfx WINS the LEO AWARD for FIDO! Best MakeUp FXStargate : ATLANTIS on Sci-fi Channel, Fridays 8/9CMASTERSFX wins the SATURN AWARD for Slither! Best MakeUp FXStargate: The Ark of Truth DVD will release on March 11, 2008THE INVASION on video on 1/29/08THE EYE in Theaters Feb 1stDEXTER comes to CBS ~ February 17th at 10:00 pm ET/PTSTARGATE ATLANTIS WINS the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD - Best Sci-Fi!Sci Fi Channel renews Stargate Atlantis for a 5th Season!Mastersfx WINS the LEO AWARD for FIDO! Best MakeUp FXStargate : ATLANTIS on Sci-fi Channel, Fridays 8/9CMASTERSFX wins the SATURN AWARD for Slither! Best MakeUp FXStargate: The Ark of Truth DVD will release on March 11, 2008THE INVASION on video on 1/29/08THE EYE in Theaters Feb 1stDEXTER comes to CBS ~ February 17th at 10:00 pm ET/PTSTARGATE ATLANTIS WINS the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD - Best Sci-Fi!Sci Fi Channel renews Stargate Atlantis for a 5th Season!Mastersfx WINS the LEO AWARD for FIDO! Best MakeUp FXStargate : ATLANTIS on Sci-fi Channel, Fridays 8/9CMASTERSFX wins the SATURN AWARD for Slither! Best MakeUp FXStargate: The Ark of Truth DVD will release on March 11, 2008THE INVASION on video on 1/29/08THE EYE in Theaters Feb 1stDEXTER comes to CBS ~ February 17th at 10:00 pm ET/PTSTARGATE ATLANTIS WINS the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD - Best Sci-Fi!Sci Fi Channel renews Stargate Atlantis for a 5th Season!Mastersfx WINS the LEO AWARD for FIDO! Best MakeUp FXStargate : ATLANTIS on Sci-fi Channel, Fridays 8/9CMASTERSFX wins the SATURN AWARD for Slither! Best MakeUp FX
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Bionic Woman
NBC Wednesdays at 9pm/8pm central
NBC Wednesdays at 9pm/8pm central
Stargate Atlantis
Sci-Fi channel Fridays at 10pm/9pm central
Sci-Fi channel Fridays at 10pm/9pm central
FIDO
on DVD
on DVD
DEXTER on CBS
February 17th at 10:00 pm ET/PT
February 17th at 10:00 pm ET/PT
The Eye
February 1, 2008
February 1, 2008
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Don't ask, don't tell
January 27, 2008 / 11:38:12 PDT
Shops are involved in a show we cannot really talk about much...
So, no news currently.
Ark of Truth release date
December 28, 2007 / 09:12:54 PDT
"Stargate: The Ark of Truth," the first of two direct-to-video movies based on the long-running "Stargate: SG-1" TV series, will debut March 11 on DVD.
Ark of Truth release date
December 28, 2007 / 09:10:59 PDT
"Stargate: The Ark of Truth," the first of two direct-to-video movies based on the long-running "Stargate: SG-1" TV series, will debut March 11 on DVD.
Stargate comes back in style
November 30, 2007 / 15:43:12 PDT
A trailer for the forthcoming Stargate feature, Ark of the Truth, are now online. Click here:
http://www.gateworld.net/news/2007/11/watch_the_first_ark_of_truth_pro.shtml
And In case you haven't heard, STARGATE ATLANTIS has been nominated for a
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD (see press release below) for favourite SCI FI
show. Up against "Dr. Who" and "Battlestar Galactica"
To see a little propaganda video and to vote - go here:
http://www.tonykmedia.com/SGA_Viral/People's_Choice_Viral_Spot_A.mpg
pulled pork sandwhich
November 14, 2007 / 19:18:49 PDT
Holy crap! What a crazy few weeks it has been...as some of you may have noticed, things have been crazy on the site...because they're crazy at the mothership! Zoinks!
Team members scattered all over the globe, overlapping projects, baboon's asses, mayhem...and this little party thing that somehow happened... Hmmph. (By the way ~ check the Hot Box for BASH images and soon a page of Halloween Bash stuff!)
Slowly getting people back where they belong, the LA shop is nearly all pieced back in shape, finally got most of the partiers out...many shows wrapped, others, strike hiatus...and many several shows starting. So, it's meeting time. Presentations and numbers...ah, what's a wayward monster maker to do?
Still some shows beat on, still shooting...MFX/Vancouver is just wrapping duties on Vipers! Rubber snakes and bloody remains....hmmm, taste like chicken.
SG: Atlantis renews for # 5
October 24, 2007 / 09:17:43 PDT
Sci Fi Channel has given a fifth-season renewal to "Stargate Atlantis!!! Just began hiatus....so back with more Wraith and beings, next February.
STARGATE : ATLANTIS renewed for 20 more!
October 24, 2007 / 09:06:11 PDT
The Sci Fi Channel has given a fifth-season renewal to "Stargate Atlantis," commissioning 20 fresh episodes! Read the article:
HEADLESS HORSEMAN Premieres @ Graumann's Chinese!
October 20, 2007 / 11:42:47 PDT
As part of SCREAMFEST, theirs a speacial screening of HEADLESS HORSEMAN,this Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. at the Mann's Chinese 6 in Hollywood. And a Q&A will folow...(might be more of a Q&Q, since this one was a rather nutty, cold, dark and cheap in Romania....last Fall....but we did it with heart...and shortends...) Tickets can be found here : http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=143506
MFX featured on TV GUIDE"S INFANITY
October 14, 2007 / 18:44:59 PDT
Monday night, October 15th, Mastersfx is featured on TV GUIDE NETWORK'S "Infanity". @ 8pm
the bad blogger
October 14, 2007 / 10:24:35 PDT
I'z been a bad blogger, not writing for several weeks; terribly sorry. It's been busy, busy busy.
Just wrapped Season four of Stargate: Atlantis, season 2 of Dexter and season 2 of Eureka. Also wrapped recently: Far Cry & Andromeda Strain.
Currently prepping and shooting True Blood in LA and The Haunting in Connecticut...in Winnipeg (and both shops.) Plus the occasional (but hardly seen in the final product) Bionic Woman.
On the DVD shelf is, hopefully still....some copies of Stargate: Atlantis, Season 3. These always seem to go quickly but the latest box set is really breaking the records. (Probably due to a keen commentary (for Vengeance) and a fun peek at the MFX/BC team in ""Masters of the Alien"". ) Also recently released on DVD : ""Wind Chill"", ""The Invisible"" and some classics: then entire series of Tales from the Crypt now available (on-line only apparently) and ""Night of the Creeps"".
Coming soon: Headless Horseman premieres on the Sci-Fi Channel Oct 27...and, if you can believe it, at the Graumann's Chinese Theater, as part of Screamfest, on October 20th!
Just wrapped Season four of Stargate: Atlantis, season 2 of Dexter and season 2 of Eureka. Also wrapped recently: Far Cry & Andromeda Strain.
Currently prepping and shooting True Blood in LA and The Haunting in Connecticut...in Winnipeg (and both shops.) Plus the occasional (but hardly seen in the final product) Bionic Woman.
On the DVD shelf is, hopefully still....some copies of Stargate: Atlantis, Season 3. These always seem to go quickly but the latest box set is really breaking the records. (Probably due to a keen commentary (for Vengeance) and a fun peek at the MFX/BC team in ""Masters of the Alien"". ) Also recently released on DVD : ""Wind Chill"", ""The Invisible"" and some classics: then entire series of Tales from the Crypt now available (on-line only apparently) and ""Night of the Creeps"".
Coming soon: Headless Horseman premieres on the Sci-Fi Channel Oct 27...and, if you can believe it, at the Graumann's Chinese Theater, as part of Screamfest, on October 20th!
The Invasion finally invades theaters!
August 20, 2007 / 11:55:12 PDT
Friday came the release of "The Invasion", a project we did many winters ago...finally seeing the big screen.
Overall it feels like we expected, a bit messy, a bit flashy without substance, somewhat unintelligible at times...but wasn't horrible.
Official MFX rating: 3 severed thumbs for the movie, 4 thumbs for our FX...would've been more, if you got a chance to see more. Most overworked by CG-esque visual FX or cut, or barely seen&.or never shot. However you do get a few good glimpses of our over-time kid dummy (Nicole Kidman's son "Oliver" in the film is often a detailed dummy.) That and our car-hit dummy gets a good shock in the middle of the film...and a few others: people gleeking fluids into the coffee and the faces of some victims, some skin, some fake dogs, parts of the butler sequence...
Overall it feels like we expected, a bit messy, a bit flashy without substance, somewhat unintelligible at times...but wasn't horrible.
Official MFX rating: 3 severed thumbs for the movie, 4 thumbs for our FX...would've been more, if you got a chance to see more. Most overworked by CG-esque visual FX or cut, or barely seen&.or never shot. However you do get a few good glimpses of our over-time kid dummy (Nicole Kidman's son "Oliver" in the film is often a detailed dummy.) That and our car-hit dummy gets a good shock in the middle of the film...and a few others: people gleeking fluids into the coffee and the faces of some victims, some skin, some fake dogs, parts of the butler sequence...
Busy daze...
August 12, 2007 / 19:29:01 PDT
Busy days, with both shops in the midst of many things...
LA & BC shops are deep into ghastly work on "The Haunting in Connecticut", a feature based on a true haunting. Shoots in about a month, in.....er, Winnipeg?? Apparently Connecticut and Winnipeg are near relatives, so it should all work out just fine.
Aside from HIC, the shop's dossier is like this: , MFX/LA is currently creating some dead stuff for Showtime's "Dexter" and gearing up for a the new HBO vampire series,"True Blood".
MFX/BC is nearly half-way through season 4 of "Stargate: Atantis", and just wrapping Season 2 of "Eureka" & the video-game adaptation, "Far Cry". And we're into episode three of "Bionic Woman"....and aiding mufx support, here & there, on "Andromeda Strain".
LA & BC shops are deep into ghastly work on "The Haunting in Connecticut", a feature based on a true haunting. Shoots in about a month, in.....er, Winnipeg?? Apparently Connecticut and Winnipeg are near relatives, so it should all work out just fine.
Aside from HIC, the shop's dossier is like this: , MFX/LA is currently creating some dead stuff for Showtime's "Dexter" and gearing up for a the new HBO vampire series,"True Blood".
MFX/BC is nearly half-way through season 4 of "Stargate: Atantis", and just wrapping Season 2 of "Eureka" & the video-game adaptation, "Far Cry". And we're into episode three of "Bionic Woman"....and aiding mufx support, here & there, on "Andromeda Strain".
Masters of Science Fiction finally see the light
August 04, 2007 / 17:35:07 PDT
Tonight (august 4th) is the first night of four Saturday nights this August, to catch ABC's bastard child, Masters of Science Fiction (on @ 10pm!)
Our work is sprinkled throughout the shows, but really featured in the last one to air, "The Discarded."
Check the following for a review and more details on the limited series:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-master4aug04,1,6447045.story?coll=la-entnews-tv
and the official site:
http://www.mastersofscifi.com/site/
Our work is sprinkled throughout the shows, but really featured in the last one to air, "The Discarded."
Check the following for a review and more details on the limited series:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-master4aug04,1,6447045.story?coll=la-entnews-tv
and the official site:
http://www.mastersofscifi.com/site/
Bill Tuttle R.I.P.
August 02, 2007 / 10:17:21 PDT
Bill Tuttle, legendary makeup artists and the first makeup artist to win an Oscar, has passed on.
He was an early leader in makeup & prosthetics...and we've used his products for years.
To see the man in action (making an early lifecast - with a spoon & a suit!) here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zlmDpPPdWQg
He will be missed...and long remembered.
He was an early leader in makeup & prosthetics...and we've used his products for years.
To see the man in action (making an early lifecast - with a spoon & a suit!) here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zlmDpPPdWQg
He will be missed...and long remembered.
New DVDs show off MFX work
August 02, 2007 / 06:13:52 PDT
Several DVD's of recent MFX work are now coming out:
Pathfinder- with its bounty of funny extra features just came out July31st
Windchill - which barely saw the light of any theater, comes out Sept 4th
Stargate: Atlantis "Season 3" - due in stores Sept 18
The Invisible - David Goyer's creepy ghost story, Oct 16
Pathfinder- with its bounty of funny extra features just came out July31st
Windchill - which barely saw the light of any theater, comes out Sept 4th
Stargate: Atlantis "Season 3" - due in stores Sept 18
The Invisible - David Goyer's creepy ghost story, Oct 16
Laszlo Kovacs 1933-2007
July 24, 2007 / 15:47:23 PDT
Great cinematographer Laslso Kovacs, whom we had the honor of working with on "Copycat" many years ago, passed away Monday. He was 74. He was a smooth guy and talented DP. RIP.
Winding up & down, in & out
July 21, 2007 / 13:25:19 PDT
Teams are slowing in both shops, BC & LA, on the latest video, cum movie, "Far Cry." Last week is next week...and I think we're all eager to move on to other stuff. "Eureka" is also finishing up, sad to see that one go on hiatus.
Other stuff is brewing too. Just started on "Bionic Woman", "Haunting in Connecticut" & more "Atlantis."
A few other mini-projects still fill the shops too: some stuff for Comic-Con, some help on "Hellboy 2" and some funky little alien show called..."The Coming?" Ahhhh, got to love whoever titled that one....
And some other goodies on the horizon, more "Sanctuary", "True Blood" and a couple others that cannot be mentioned (yet.)
Other stuff is brewing too. Just started on "Bionic Woman", "Haunting in Connecticut" & more "Atlantis."
A few other mini-projects still fill the shops too: some stuff for Comic-Con, some help on "Hellboy 2" and some funky little alien show called..."The Coming?" Ahhhh, got to love whoever titled that one....
And some other goodies on the horizon, more "Sanctuary", "True Blood" and a couple others that cannot be mentioned (yet.)
MOSF has site!
July 05, 2007 / 20:56:16 PDT
Masters of Science Fiction (no relation - other than we did some great FX for this show) has its website up at :
http://www.mastersofscifi.com/site/
Details on this site shows more than the 'series' will ever show however...ABC only plans to show 4 out of the six we made last summer. Bummer.
http://www.mastersofscifi.com/site/
Details on this site shows more than the 'series' will ever show however...ABC only plans to show 4 out of the six we made last summer. Bummer.
Classic MFX : Tales from the Crypt DVD BOX SET Oct 23rd!
June 30, 2007 / 20:07:56 PDT
Warner Home Video announced that the seventh (and final) season of Tales from the Crypt will be arriving on DVD October 23 just in time to kick start a week long television marathon. In addition, if you've been waiting for the complete box set you're in luck as all seven season will be available in one collection on the same day. No word on if any bonus extras will be included in the set, but it's suspected not.
FIDO OPENS WIDER JULY 6
June 28, 2007 / 08:06:59 PDT
Good news for fans looking for our Zomedy, FIDO - Lions Gate has announced a broader US release.
For those of you in San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, Boston, or Denver, you can catch the film in the following theaters starting on July 6th:
San Francisco - Landmark Lumiere
Seattle - Landmark Varisty
San Diego - Landmark Hillcrest
Boston - Landmark Kendall Square
Denver - Landmark Mayan (Special screening coming up next week - one night only.)
For those of you in Los Angeles and New York, it's already playing in a few select indie theaters, so check your local art house listings.
The movie starring Carrie-anne Moss, Billy Connolly and features our AWARD-WiNNING MFX, is discussed in the following link - an interview with its director, Andrew Currie: http://www.firstshowing.net/2007/06/14/exclusive-interview-with-fido-director-andrew-currie/
For those of you in San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, Boston, or Denver, you can catch the film in the following theaters starting on July 6th:
San Francisco - Landmark Lumiere
Seattle - Landmark Varisty
San Diego - Landmark Hillcrest
Boston - Landmark Kendall Square
Denver - Landmark Mayan (Special screening coming up next week - one night only.)
For those of you in Los Angeles and New York, it's already playing in a few select indie theaters, so check your local art house listings.
The movie starring Carrie-anne Moss, Billy Connolly and features our AWARD-WiNNING MFX, is discussed in the following link - an interview with its director, Andrew Currie: http://www.firstshowing.net/2007/06/14/exclusive-interview-with-fido-director-andrew-currie/
Shooting at Wal-Mart!
June 28, 2007 / 08:30:46 PDT
Currently filming the action/videogame cum movie, FAR CRY in Vancouver, at a retired, old lumber mill...which is doomed to be torn-down to become condos in a week or so. The Wal-mart encrouching at the near parking lot threatens a looming sprawl...And we threaten them! Signs have been posted all over this mall telling zoned out shoppers that we're shooting across the way - literally shooting! Went there yesteday for some last moment supplies, and it was a bit weird hearing our machine gun fire and bomb blast in the Health & Beauty Section. Crap, sounded as near as Young Lady's Fashion! I think the off-gassing merchandise must really sock-it-to Wal-Mart shoppers, since no one seemed to notice. I guess if it ain't on CNN, it didn't happen.
Go see FIDO !!! Somehow, somewhere...
June 16, 2007 / 12:06:36 PDT
FIDO did get its US release (June 15th), but unfortunately in only one theatre in LA (NUART 11272 Santa Monica Blvd - http://www.landmarktheatres.com/Market/LosAngeles/NuartTheatre.htm) and in one theatre in NYC (Agelika, 18 W. Houston - angelikafilmcenter.com).
Im truly hoping that this one somehow catches flame and expands to broader markets - FIDO is a wonderful blend of genres and pretty funny.
We shot is two summers ago in a sleepy lakeside town of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada&somehow juggled between assignments on Stargate, Atlantis, Snakes on a Plane & Turistas! Most of the crew stayed at the city colleges dorms - and ran-prosthetics in the shop set-up basement! It was an ambitiously budgeted indy that was produced & directed by friends of ours, Mary Ann Waterhouse & Andrew Currie and contained a entertaining cast. We all put in extra-efforts for the love of the project, the fun of hoards of zombies, and to then success of our filmmaking pals. It was a summer to remember, the show turned out wonderfully and we all became a little closer&I think.
Check out a couple of their websites : http://www.fidothefilm.com/ and http://www.zomcon.com/
Im truly hoping that this one somehow catches flame and expands to broader markets - FIDO is a wonderful blend of genres and pretty funny.
We shot is two summers ago in a sleepy lakeside town of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada&somehow juggled between assignments on Stargate, Atlantis, Snakes on a Plane & Turistas! Most of the crew stayed at the city colleges dorms - and ran-prosthetics in the shop set-up basement! It was an ambitiously budgeted indy that was produced & directed by friends of ours, Mary Ann Waterhouse & Andrew Currie and contained a entertaining cast. We all put in extra-efforts for the love of the project, the fun of hoards of zombies, and to then success of our filmmaking pals. It was a summer to remember, the show turned out wonderfully and we all became a little closer&I think.
Check out a couple of their websites : http://www.fidothefilm.com/ and http://www.zomcon.com/
DVD UPDATES
June 16, 2007 / 12:38:21 PDT
Pathfinder comes to DVD July 31st.
Wind Chill August 20th.
Wind Chill August 20th.
"The ants, they're like TERRORISTS!!"
June 12, 2007 / 19:35:31 PDT
Like a mutant brother to Snakes on a Plane, here comes ants on a plane...well, really its "Destination: Infestation!!" Premiering Saturday, July 7, at 8pm ET on LIFETIME!! Not a lot of our stuff, but a couple key pieces are very featured. Check out the ultra close-up, nose spewing fake head built by MFX/LA that starts the whole nightmare.
Also, watch for some zany production mistakes, it was produced very quickly and a couple obvious things we missed. See if you can find them all Waldo.
Also, watch for some zany production mistakes, it was produced very quickly and a couple obvious things we missed. See if you can find them all Waldo.
Friday June 22nd MFX day on SCIFI Channel
June 12, 2007 / 18:52:42 PDT
From 6am through the entire day of June 22nd seems to be shaping up as MASTERSFX day on SCI FI CHANNEL. Every show this day is a MFX show! Highlighted by a couple real treats : From the dark ages, way back in the early nineties and airing @ 7pm, the original pilot for THE KINDRED!! An early Aaron Spelling vampire show that barely showed up anywhere....THEN immediately following @ 8, the final episode of Stargate SG-1, "Unending" which MFX BC ages the entire cast!! At 9, Painkiller Jane has aging issues too..along with several of her friends (more MFX/BC aging.) So order up the extra large box of microwave popcon and let's party!
Stargate : ATLANTIS Season 3 DVD set coming Sept 18, 2007
June 09, 2007 / 11:00:22 PDT
The release date has been set for ATLANTIS Season 3 DVD sets : September 18th.
The 5 disc set will include creature FX commentary, an early morning prosthetic's makeup call & tour of MFX/BC!
The 5 disc set will include creature FX commentary, an early morning prosthetic's makeup call & tour of MFX/BC!
ABC To Finally Air 'Masters Of Science Fiction'
June 09, 2007 / 10:39:21 PDT
Finally, ABC has planned to air "Masters of Science Fiction", starting August 4, Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET.
Unfortunately, only 4 of the 6 episodes we made will get to see late summer's airwaves...and at a crappy-ass timeslot. Hosted by Dr. Stephen Hawkins, the series boast several wild FX created in combo between both MFX/LA & MFX/BC shops last summer.
Unfortunately, only 4 of the 6 episodes we made will get to see late summer's airwaves...and at a crappy-ass timeslot. Hosted by Dr. Stephen Hawkins, the series boast several wild FX created in combo between both MFX/LA & MFX/BC shops last summer.
Let the INVASION begin !
June 09, 2007 / 10:30:31 PDT
A placecard site is up at http://theinvasionmovie.warnerbros.com/ ...which hopefully will soon get filled with something.
You can view some of our FX in a pretty cool trailer for the AUG 17 "Invasion" at http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=news&id=10651
You can view some of our FX in a pretty cool trailer for the AUG 17 "Invasion" at http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=news&id=10651
ZOMBIE WALK FOR FIDO PLANNED NY/LA
June 09, 2007 / 09:06:44 PDT
Coming this Friday June 15th, in New York & Los Angeles at the premieres of our new horror Zomedy "FIDO", ZOMBIEWALK.com is planning one of their many ZOMBIEWALKS; and we'd love it if you join in and stagger around in your worst!
Intersted, or for more info, try this link :
http://www.zombiewalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=937
Intersted, or for more info, try this link :
http://www.zombiewalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=937
World record for SANCTUARY & LEO for FIDO!
June 05, 2007 / 20:20:40 PDT
With a category one never knew exsitied, SANCTUARY sets the Guiness World Record for "Highest Budget for a Direct-to-Web Broadcast." Read the full article at www.sliceofscifi.com/2007/05/31/sanctuary-sets-guinness-record/
Sanctuary's first couple of episodes are up at http://sanctuaryforall.com
FIDO wins BEST MAKEUP at this year's LEO's. Congrats to the entire team!
Sanctuary's first couple of episodes are up at http://sanctuaryforall.com
FIDO wins BEST MAKEUP at this year's LEO's. Congrats to the entire team!
Crazy busy, so it's brief
May 31, 2007 / 14:46:32 PDT
So much going on, I'll need to keep it breif: The 2nd Epsiode of Sanctuary is up, as of May 28th. Check the teaser at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a3DeE1a3Fo
Our site continues to develop, thanks to our amazing webteam lead by Webmama, Sarah Cassady. Check out our new features!
MFX/LA is just starting the pilot episode for HBO's "True Blood" and just wrapped "Stiletto" and the Stargate movies, "Ark of Truth" & "Continum"
MFX/BC recentlywrapped several age-makeups for various projects. Now going strong on episode of Atlantis, Eureka and Battlestar Gallactica. And soon onto the game-cums-movie, "Far Cry"
Other release dates : Pathfinder (in case you don't know who yo are...) July 31st. "Wind Chill" August 20th 2007.
And a bunch of other top-secret stuff that can't be disclosed....but stay tuned.
Our site continues to develop, thanks to our amazing webteam lead by Webmama, Sarah Cassady. Check out our new features!
MFX/LA is just starting the pilot episode for HBO's "True Blood" and just wrapped "Stiletto" and the Stargate movies, "Ark of Truth" & "Continum"
MFX/BC recentlywrapped several age-makeups for various projects. Now going strong on episode of Atlantis, Eureka and Battlestar Gallactica. And soon onto the game-cums-movie, "Far Cry"
Other release dates : Pathfinder (in case you don't know who yo are...) July 31st. "Wind Chill" August 20th 2007.
And a bunch of other top-secret stuff that can't be disclosed....but stay tuned.
Wind Chill blew, Leos for FIDO & Sanctuary getting close
May 05, 2007 / 00:23:25 PDT
I don't know what happened with Warner Bros' 'Wind Chill' release, but I think it came and left overnight without much fanfare, pehaps without any box office. A week after its so-called release, I cannot find it anywhere in one of the largest movies markets in the States, Los Angeles. Where could it go so quickly? Did anyone see it? Could it be as bad as all the other crappy horror flicks out there?
I've been doing this a long time, and I can never guess the marketting and release of these films. It must cost a fortune to get a theatrical release..and then to just pull it? Makes no sense to me.
And cripes, I can still see "Pathfinder" (if I wanted to torture myself again) that's still in some theatres....makes no sense.
The production of Wind Chill was equally as perplexing. We filmed in the middle of last year's wicked winter, way up in the Okaganogan area of Canada. And it was extremely cold...and of course, we shot outside only at night....when we could. Often times the wind would howl through our little highway set, blowing the lighting rigs and driving the cinematographer crazy. We would spend countless hours (outside) waiting for the wind to settle down, to shoot something. Often times the conditions would interfere with stunts, FX, transportation, etc. Really nuts. Most nights our makeups froze and our materials stopped working several degrees earlier. It was impossible to move around on set due to our layers of outerwear and the armpit deep
snow....it was truly snowballs flying in hell trying to get some of those scenes. And frankly, I amazed we got all of it...of course, we'll never know now. Too bad, Greg, the director was cool and there must have been something goog that happened...hmmm?
In other news, we got nominated for a Canadian Leo Award for our zany zombie makeup, "Fido." Congrats to all on the team, a fine job and a team nominatiant indeed! And a lot more fun shooting in the Okanagan on that trip (it was sumertime).
Also the extended, 5-minute trailer is up at http://sanctuaryforall.com/ with its release to the world, coming very soon, on May 14th!
~Todd, LA
I've been doing this a long time, and I can never guess the marketting and release of these films. It must cost a fortune to get a theatrical release..and then to just pull it? Makes no sense to me.
And cripes, I can still see "Pathfinder" (if I wanted to torture myself again) that's still in some theatres....makes no sense.
The production of Wind Chill was equally as perplexing. We filmed in the middle of last year's wicked winter, way up in the Okaganogan area of Canada. And it was extremely cold...and of course, we shot outside only at night....when we could. Often times the wind would howl through our little highway set, blowing the lighting rigs and driving the cinematographer crazy. We would spend countless hours (outside) waiting for the wind to settle down, to shoot something. Often times the conditions would interfere with stunts, FX, transportation, etc. Really nuts. Most nights our makeups froze and our materials stopped working several degrees earlier. It was impossible to move around on set due to our layers of outerwear and the armpit deep
snow....it was truly snowballs flying in hell trying to get some of those scenes. And frankly, I amazed we got all of it...of course, we'll never know now. Too bad, Greg, the director was cool and there must have been something goog that happened...hmmm?
In other news, we got nominated for a Canadian Leo Award for our zany zombie makeup, "Fido." Congrats to all on the team, a fine job and a team nominatiant indeed! And a lot more fun shooting in the Okanagan on that trip (it was sumertime).
Also the extended, 5-minute trailer is up at http://sanctuaryforall.com/ with its release to the world, coming very soon, on May 14th!
~Todd, LA
The Invisible Monica
April 24, 2007 / 20:10:02 PDT
We have two movies being released this Friday : "The Invisible" & "Windchill". I thought it might be fun to quickly spotlight each project at a time, to get us geared up for Friday.
"The Invisible" was really a support job for Mastersfx; we aided make up artist, Monica Huppert (http://www.monicahuppert.com/) in creating Nick's battered makeup.
We first designed Nick's unfortunate looks in Photoshop, then the LA shop built the several staged swelling eyes, busted nose and face prosthetics. Eventually the Vancouver shop casts the pieces and supported Monica onset a few times, to get it rolling. But ultimately it's really Monica's show. She really brought those makeups to life with her complex bruising colors and realistic bloody dressing. Congrats, trailer looks cool, hopefully someone out there sees it...
Later this week, I'll try and remember something about "Windchill"...but I warn, most thoughts are still frozen in brain ice, somewhere back in my head.
"The Invisible" was really a support job for Mastersfx; we aided make up artist, Monica Huppert (http://www.monicahuppert.com/) in creating Nick's battered makeup.
We first designed Nick's unfortunate looks in Photoshop, then the LA shop built the several staged swelling eyes, busted nose and face prosthetics. Eventually the Vancouver shop casts the pieces and supported Monica onset a few times, to get it rolling. But ultimately it's really Monica's show. She really brought those makeups to life with her complex bruising colors and realistic bloody dressing. Congrats, trailer looks cool, hopefully someone out there sees it...
Later this week, I'll try and remember something about "Windchill"...but I warn, most thoughts are still frozen in brain ice, somewhere back in my head.
Some movies make it, some don't
April 22, 2007 / 17:05:57 PDT
Well Pathfinder seems to be going down like their cheesey, stock avalanche footage (not one of our shots) at the box-office; a measily $8m in wampum so far. Also squirming on the sticky floor," The Last Mimzy" which seems to be all-but gone from cineplexes, and "Fido" our friendly-Canadian-produced zombedy....hasn't performed so well either with it's national release. Bummed about that, a funny film withfun memories of its inception.
Maybe it'll play better in the States!? "Fido" is soon due to release in the USofA and, I believe, internationally on June 15th. If you enjoyed Beetlejuice and Shaun of the Dead...and Lassie, you'll love this odd Billy Connolly comedy.
Other MFX projects due to release soon, next weekend, April 27th, "Windchill" (which was a cold as it sounds making it..) and David Goyre's "The Invisible".
Currently the shops are very busy prepping The Stargate movie, a Michael Beihn thriller "Stiletto", Season 4 of Stargate: Atlantis and Eureka! Also prep is beginning on Alan Ball's new series for HBO, True Blood.
Maybe it'll play better in the States!? "Fido" is soon due to release in the USofA and, I believe, internationally on June 15th. If you enjoyed Beetlejuice and Shaun of the Dead...and Lassie, you'll love this odd Billy Connolly comedy.
Other MFX projects due to release soon, next weekend, April 27th, "Windchill" (which was a cold as it sounds making it..) and David Goyre's "The Invisible".
Currently the shops are very busy prepping The Stargate movie, a Michael Beihn thriller "Stiletto", Season 4 of Stargate: Atlantis and Eureka! Also prep is beginning on Alan Ball's new series for HBO, True Blood.
I know who I am NOT! Not a Pathfinder fan.
April 16, 2007 / 16:37:30 PDT
Pathfinder. Gads, what can one say about Pathfinder? The movie starring Karl Urban and a cast of well abused First Nations, just released this past Friday the 13th, finally&.We did this well over a year ago in the cold & very wet winter of 2005, and then continued on with the punishment, with our sister CG team Artifex, into mid 06. We mingling our practical FX gore with their digital tricks for months, agonizing over every bloody pixel for the demanding production team.
Everyday on this project seemed to be painful, and many of us will carry deep scars (and many beer stories) from them hard days in the trenches for probably much longer that the movie will remain in our culture&
The studios hasnt known what to do with this dark, stylish commercial for aftershave and smoke-machines for months, moving its release around several times before finding shelter in 300s cash-cow shadow.. They do seem to borrow from the same Frazetta books and the cast may have eaten the same steroids, but this ones definitely not 300 .
Together, Friday night, our entire Vancouver shop - who took the brunt of the daily onset trench abuse - took a dose of Pathfinder's release therapy, at the local multiplex. Of course, there was no official cast & crew screening...so we made one up.
We laughed, we yelled at the screen like nappy headed hos, somehow some of us even snoozed through the noisey experience&.getting all of the demons out of a project, still mentally haunting many of us.
The movie itself was a large, deep dish of disappointment. Story was a mess, the performances annoying, the editing and the post work distracting. I really liked our work, but&hard to see thru all the madness. But great to see it finally put to rest.
To anyone out there, thinking of picking up a ticket, I say either see 300 again, or watch the NHL playoffs to see some real heros.
Everyday on this project seemed to be painful, and many of us will carry deep scars (and many beer stories) from them hard days in the trenches for probably much longer that the movie will remain in our culture&
The studios hasnt known what to do with this dark, stylish commercial for aftershave and smoke-machines for months, moving its release around several times before finding shelter in 300s cash-cow shadow.. They do seem to borrow from the same Frazetta books and the cast may have eaten the same steroids, but this ones definitely not 300 .
Together, Friday night, our entire Vancouver shop - who took the brunt of the daily onset trench abuse - took a dose of Pathfinder's release therapy, at the local multiplex. Of course, there was no official cast & crew screening...so we made one up.
We laughed, we yelled at the screen like nappy headed hos, somehow some of us even snoozed through the noisey experience&.getting all of the demons out of a project, still mentally haunting many of us.
The movie itself was a large, deep dish of disappointment. Story was a mess, the performances annoying, the editing and the post work distracting. I really liked our work, but&hard to see thru all the madness. But great to see it finally put to rest.
To anyone out there, thinking of picking up a ticket, I say either see 300 again, or watch the NHL playoffs to see some real heros.
LIFETIME!?!?
March 31, 2007 / 20:38:51 PDT
I really can't believe that MastersFX does Lifetime Network, but it's true. We do. And how - now.
Every so often you can see some of our work on Sunday eve's Blood Ties, their new vampire show. April 15, you can watch our old buddy, Treat Williams in "The Staircase Murders"...which we shot in one day in New Orleans, back in late December. And someday soon (still nothing official) you'll see ants on a plane in "Swarmed"!
So there. Mom, if you're listening : finally mfx movies that you can watch!! Well...sorta, Swarmed does have ants crawling out a fella's nose....
Every so often you can see some of our work on Sunday eve's Blood Ties, their new vampire show. April 15, you can watch our old buddy, Treat Williams in "The Staircase Murders"...which we shot in one day in New Orleans, back in late December. And someday soon (still nothing official) you'll see ants on a plane in "Swarmed"!
So there. Mom, if you're listening : finally mfx movies that you can watch!! Well...sorta, Swarmed does have ants crawling out a fella's nose....
SANCTUARY & TURISTAS updates
March 31, 2007 / 00:13:19 PDT
An exciting new 3 minute trailer is up at http://www.sanctuaryforall.com/ This was the hush-hush show we were doing over Christmas. They're still putting it all together, mid-way through post as I understand it. It's a very exciting project. More when we can release it (or watch that site for updates.)
Also new, 'Turistas' : UNRATED, DVD. It really shows off how disgusting we made some of those effects...and it's an exciting moving all together. Waaay better than 'HOSTEL'...but sorta along similar lines. Shot a couple of summers ago in Brazil. I went there with Parasite Mike and a bunch of cool stuff made buy the gang @ MFX/LA. The behind-the-scenes brought back many great memories of Brazil and this intense project. You have to really look for it (it's on the other side of the disc) but the make-up FX featurette is really good (and the guys in it are really handsome too.)
Also new, 'Turistas' : UNRATED, DVD. It really shows off how disgusting we made some of those effects...and it's an exciting moving all together. Waaay better than 'HOSTEL'...but sorta along similar lines. Shot a couple of summers ago in Brazil. I went there with Parasite Mike and a bunch of cool stuff made buy the gang @ MFX/LA. The behind-the-scenes brought back many great memories of Brazil and this intense project. You have to really look for it (it's on the other side of the disc) but the make-up FX featurette is really good (and the guys in it are really handsome too.)
New WIND CHILL site is up
March 25, 2007 / 13:53:07 PDT
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/windchill/ has the films trailer and sort of sneaks peaks at some of our FX. It is still aiming for the previously announced APRIL 27, 2007 release date. I'm catching a cold jut thinking about it.
SPRING BRINGS SITES!
March 23, 2007 / 14:29:57 PDT
Done are the nights and the rain for now....we wrapped "While She Was Out" and have packed away the all-weather gear for hopefully a long while. I'm back in sunny LA catching up with the team here and to meet for some new projects.
We're facing a Spring with many of our movies being released. Many have opened sites up to promote, here's just a few to check out :
Pathfinder (now coming out a couple weekend earlier -April 13 - than last threatened) - www.pathfinderthemovie.com
The Last Mimzy - mimzy.com
The Invisible - http://myspace.com/theinvisiblemovie
Fido - http://www.fidothemovie.com/ or the especially funny http://www.zomcon.com/
TODD - LA
We're facing a Spring with many of our movies being released. Many have opened sites up to promote, here's just a few to check out :
Pathfinder (now coming out a couple weekend earlier -April 13 - than last threatened) - www.pathfinderthemovie.com
The Last Mimzy - mimzy.com
The Invisible - http://myspace.com/theinvisiblemovie
Fido - http://www.fidothemovie.com/ or the especially funny http://www.zomcon.com/
TODD - LA
Spring brings websites!
March 23, 2007 / 14:18:34 PDT
Done are the nights and the rain for now....we wrapped "While She Was Out" and have packed away the all-weather gear for hopefully a long while. I'm back in sunny LA catching up with the team here and to meet for some new projects.
We're facing a Spring with many of our movies being released. Many have opened sites up to promote, here's just a few to check out :
Pathfinder (now coming out a couple weekend earlier -April 13 - than last threatened) - www.pathfinderthemovie.com
The Last Mimzy - mimzy.com
The Invisible - http://myspace.com/theinvisiblemovie
Fido - http://www.fidothemovie.com/
More when we hear 'em!
Todd, Vancouver
We're facing a Spring with many of our movies being released. Many have opened sites up to promote, here's just a few to check out :
Pathfinder (now coming out a couple weekend earlier -April 13 - than last threatened) - www.pathfinderthemovie.com
The Last Mimzy - mimzy.com
The Invisible - http://myspace.com/theinvisiblemovie
Fido - http://www.fidothemovie.com/
More when we hear 'em!
Todd, Vancouver
day to day phoniness
March 12, 2007 / 11:45:40 PDT
It's already March and I still haven't really felt really part of 2007 yet. So much is going on it's hard to keep up...the days seem to slip-away in the details of the dealing with the phony.
Lots of projects news: prepping, releasing and shooting. For updated release dates, please refer to the updated TICKER above. Here's and update of the latest stuff going on in our labs and on our sets:
Currently getting warmed into Season 4 of Stargate: Atlantis (www.stargateatlantis.com), we haven't seen any Wraith makeups yet, but they're coming, we can smell 'em. Already over the first episode -in which show-runner Robert Cooper directs- and it is loaded with nightmares and some tricky FX...including a great slant-board torso-rig on TEYLA, produced by Dan & company from MFX/LA.
Also the Stargate movies are looming closer. For these, it looks like we'll see the return of the prosthetic Priors and a groovy new characters to design & create..which I really need to get busy with.
Across town we're starting to shoot Pain Killer Jane, the new Sci-Fi episode starring the lovely Kristanna Loken. This episode we need to age her into her eighties! Not to easy when they look like Kristanna! A few doors away (way the hell out in Maple Ridge, BC) are the studios for Blood Ties (http://www.lifetimetv.com/shows/bloodties/index.php.) and another project for us...and Insight Films. This week our chores included a few nasty skeletal folks and the evil mummy of Pachamachman...or PacMan as we ended up calling it... This hideous monster was played by MFX/BC regular, Holland Miller who has just the right physique for an emaciated zombie. Our amazing mufx set-crew cover poor Holland with pretty much everything in the shop...looked great, but probably wasn't fun removing at the end of the long shoot day.
Then finally, our last stop...also waaaay across town, is our last set working right now, "While She Was Out." This Kim Basinger starring flick has been rampaging through the wet exteriors of Vancouver for more than a month now. And we're all very tired of the rainy night shoots. And we haven't worked as many long nights as the regular, sturdy crew. Coming up on our last week of this...then maybe I can retire some raingear for a while.
Also prepping are some small pick-ups for Sanctuary (http://sanctuaryforall.com/) some new Jamie Kennedy...and a nice pile of good scripts are also in the early process.
Todd, Vancouver
Lots of projects news: prepping, releasing and shooting. For updated release dates, please refer to the updated TICKER above. Here's and update of the latest stuff going on in our labs and on our sets:
Currently getting warmed into Season 4 of Stargate: Atlantis (www.stargateatlantis.com), we haven't seen any Wraith makeups yet, but they're coming, we can smell 'em. Already over the first episode -in which show-runner Robert Cooper directs- and it is loaded with nightmares and some tricky FX...including a great slant-board torso-rig on TEYLA, produced by Dan & company from MFX/LA.
Also the Stargate movies are looming closer. For these, it looks like we'll see the return of the prosthetic Priors and a groovy new characters to design & create..which I really need to get busy with.
Across town we're starting to shoot Pain Killer Jane, the new Sci-Fi episode starring the lovely Kristanna Loken. This episode we need to age her into her eighties! Not to easy when they look like Kristanna! A few doors away (way the hell out in Maple Ridge, BC) are the studios for Blood Ties (http://www.lifetimetv.com/shows/bloodties/index.php.) and another project for us...and Insight Films. This week our chores included a few nasty skeletal folks and the evil mummy of Pachamachman...or PacMan as we ended up calling it... This hideous monster was played by MFX/BC regular, Holland Miller who has just the right physique for an emaciated zombie. Our amazing mufx set-crew cover poor Holland with pretty much everything in the shop...looked great, but probably wasn't fun removing at the end of the long shoot day.
Then finally, our last stop...also waaaay across town, is our last set working right now, "While She Was Out." This Kim Basinger starring flick has been rampaging through the wet exteriors of Vancouver for more than a month now. And we're all very tired of the rainy night shoots. And we haven't worked as many long nights as the regular, sturdy crew. Coming up on our last week of this...then maybe I can retire some raingear for a while.
Also prepping are some small pick-ups for Sanctuary (http://sanctuaryforall.com/) some new Jamie Kennedy...and a nice pile of good scripts are also in the early process.
Todd, Vancouver
Blood, mud, age & phlegm!! Oh my.
February 07, 2007 / 17:28:59 PDT
Just wrapped "Swarmed" - which might as well be re-titled"Ants on a Plane" !! Among my favorite gags produced: Dan & company at MFX/LA made an amazing fake-head that we plumbed for ants to crawl out of his nose & mouth. Yuck. My pupeteering, gloved hand was covered in these nasty biting and stinging ants, not fun.
Also just wrapped the first few of "Sanctuary"....and this thing called the SUPERFOOT for a weird show in New Orleans.
Currently prepping "While She Was Out" with Kim Basinger beating the crap out of some bad dudes. Recently, we took Nicholas & Jeny outside in the rain with some props and fake blood to film the director some tests. A few hours of make-believe and video testing, we all looked like Kim beat us up - dripping with blood, muddy and just gross. Afterwards, driving back to the shop - and kinda forgetting what we looked like, we freaked out the lady at the drive-thru Starbucks. Oops, kinda forget that people don't know what we do for a living sometimes.
Also, starting slowly on Season 4 of Stargate Atlantis....And I hear that the scripts for two new Stargate movies are coming soon too. Sounds good. Bring it on. Ready for some sci-fi.
Blood Ties continues going on as well, with some bug-bitten swollen prosthetics playing next week. What is it with bugs these days!? Is this the new trend?
-Todd(nearly forty and kinda phlegmy)Vancouver, BC.
Also just wrapped the first few of "Sanctuary"....and this thing called the SUPERFOOT for a weird show in New Orleans.
Currently prepping "While She Was Out" with Kim Basinger beating the crap out of some bad dudes. Recently, we took Nicholas & Jeny outside in the rain with some props and fake blood to film the director some tests. A few hours of make-believe and video testing, we all looked like Kim beat us up - dripping with blood, muddy and just gross. Afterwards, driving back to the shop - and kinda forgetting what we looked like, we freaked out the lady at the drive-thru Starbucks. Oops, kinda forget that people don't know what we do for a living sometimes.
Also, starting slowly on Season 4 of Stargate Atlantis....And I hear that the scripts for two new Stargate movies are coming soon too. Sounds good. Bring it on. Ready for some sci-fi.
Blood Ties continues going on as well, with some bug-bitten swollen prosthetics playing next week. What is it with bugs these days!? Is this the new trend?
-Todd(nearly forty and kinda phlegmy)Vancouver, BC.
2007 comes without warning
January 11, 2007 / 19:29:48 PDT
Wow. This year didn't wait too long to get started. In fact, it doesn't seem like our studios have had much of a holiday break this year (sorry gang)...I guess Christmas is temporary and film is forever...?
Cooking on "Sanctuary" which stated shooting while most shops were still recovering from New Years Eve! At the end of week two already. Everything is looking great and we're all very excited about these webisodes...but that's about all we can say about it (since it's top secret.)
Also starting on "Swarmed" which involves a bunch of evil and carnivorous ants - and soon back into "Blood Ties" as soon as they come back from their wicked New Years bender.
Prepping on a wad of other new projects..which I'll mention as soon as I am able. Should be a very interesting 2007.
Best wishes to all....and go SEAHAWKS!
- Todd Masters, MFX Vancouver
Cooking on "Sanctuary" which stated shooting while most shops were still recovering from New Years Eve! At the end of week two already. Everything is looking great and we're all very excited about these webisodes...but that's about all we can say about it (since it's top secret.)
Also starting on "Swarmed" which involves a bunch of evil and carnivorous ants - and soon back into "Blood Ties" as soon as they come back from their wicked New Years bender.
Prepping on a wad of other new projects..which I'll mention as soon as I am able. Should be a very interesting 2007.
Best wishes to all....and go SEAHAWKS!
- Todd Masters, MFX Vancouver
Happy Holidays to every man & monster
December 22, 2006 / 10:26:36 PDT
Wishing everyone - and every-'thing' - a Merry Christmas and a hearty holiday- whatever it is you celebrate!
As Santa starts his long night, it seems that the chimney's at Mastersfx are still smoking. We're racing to get work on "Sanctuary" prepped and ready for it's early January shoot dates. Our team is hard at work on a variety of critters for a project that is something special...but so special, I can't explain further. We're sworn to secrecy....even Santa had to sign a waiver.
In other corners, we've just wrapped "Staircase" in New Orleans and "Blood Ties" just wrapped for their hiatus until early January. And we're getting busy, starting to design and plot-out new work.
January looks nutty, as we've been slammed with a number of last minute meetings. In fact the interest from new projects seems more intense than most Decembers, should be an exciting '07. If only we can get to the end of '06...
Best wishes to everyone...and as we look back at our crazy year, many thanks to all that have brought us good fortune and good fun.
Peace and monsters, Todd
As Santa starts his long night, it seems that the chimney's at Mastersfx are still smoking. We're racing to get work on "Sanctuary" prepped and ready for it's early January shoot dates. Our team is hard at work on a variety of critters for a project that is something special...but so special, I can't explain further. We're sworn to secrecy....even Santa had to sign a waiver.
In other corners, we've just wrapped "Staircase" in New Orleans and "Blood Ties" just wrapped for their hiatus until early January. And we're getting busy, starting to design and plot-out new work.
January looks nutty, as we've been slammed with a number of last minute meetings. In fact the interest from new projects seems more intense than most Decembers, should be an exciting '07. If only we can get to the end of '06...
Best wishes to everyone...and as we look back at our crazy year, many thanks to all that have brought us good fortune and good fun.
Peace and monsters, Todd
Turistas is a hit!
December 04, 2006 / 10:00:56 PDT
Two summers ago, we filmed 'Tursitas' outside the sleepy, Brazilian coastal surftown ~ Ubatuba. Although, it took a while for the jungles mud stains to fade, and for that petroleum flavor-memory of the shows catering to leave my mouth, I find myself feeling right back in the jungle after seeing it, Friday.
I re-lived the cooking-oil substitute & the large bugs, along with our Vancouver-based crew at the films opening. With the theatre nearly empty and us protected by stale popcorn, we nervously awaited our latest hard-core, teens-get-whacked movie. But this one is quite different from the others: it has a compelling script, quickly edited and subtly acted by a interesting (and fun) ensemble cast.
I really liked our FX work in the film too, gory and almost too real. Especially Amys Organ Harvesting&.whoa, that was harsh when we filmed it, even harsher watching it put together. I can only imagine what the DVD is going to include that the film didnt. Great work to Dan Rebert & team at MFX/LA for the amazing dummyFX work&unfortunately un-credited.
To me, the movie played like a deranged home movie, being reminded of the fun times Mike Manzel and I had with the cast and crew&.as well as the many challenging days trying to make FX, in the middle of nowhere.
The difficulty of this shoot and the madness of an American production company chopping blindly into jungle, is not unlike the foolish characters of Turistas. In fact youll notice a cameo of Director John Stockwell at the end, in line for the plane out of there. Hah. Congrats to everyone who made it out of the jungle and helped make that film really work. -Todd
I re-lived the cooking-oil substitute & the large bugs, along with our Vancouver-based crew at the films opening. With the theatre nearly empty and us protected by stale popcorn, we nervously awaited our latest hard-core, teens-get-whacked movie. But this one is quite different from the others: it has a compelling script, quickly edited and subtly acted by a interesting (and fun) ensemble cast.
I really liked our FX work in the film too, gory and almost too real. Especially Amys Organ Harvesting&.whoa, that was harsh when we filmed it, even harsher watching it put together. I can only imagine what the DVD is going to include that the film didnt. Great work to Dan Rebert & team at MFX/LA for the amazing dummyFX work&unfortunately un-credited.
To me, the movie played like a deranged home movie, being reminded of the fun times Mike Manzel and I had with the cast and crew&.as well as the many challenging days trying to make FX, in the middle of nowhere.
The difficulty of this shoot and the madness of an American production company chopping blindly into jungle, is not unlike the foolish characters of Turistas. In fact youll notice a cameo of Director John Stockwell at the end, in line for the plane out of there. Hah. Congrats to everyone who made it out of the jungle and helped make that film really work. -Todd
Thanks everyone & see one of these movies!
November 24, 2006 / 13:42:15 PDT
Happy US Thanksgiving everyone! And at this time of year, I like to think of the amazing team involved in making our crazy little enterprise run artistically, professionally and smoothly! To all our artists and support members at MFX, a HUGE THANKS!
We have a phenomenal group of talents in two countries, and without each and everyone being as cool as they are, nothing would probably get done nor would much really look that good. Thanks everyone at MFX/LA and MFX/BC for another great year of fun, hard work, and amazing results&
...some of which are finally being released for everyone to be thankful for. Heres an update for some coming releases on MFX projects:
Turistas December 1, 2006
In Case of Emergency / ABC new series premieres - January 1, 2007
Snakes on a Plane on DVD !! January 2, 2007
Path Finder January 12, 2007
Wind Chill February 2, 2007
Fido March 9, 2007
Mimzy March 23, 2007
Cheers to everyone, and a Happy Thanksgiving, Todd
We have a phenomenal group of talents in two countries, and without each and everyone being as cool as they are, nothing would probably get done nor would much really look that good. Thanks everyone at MFX/LA and MFX/BC for another great year of fun, hard work, and amazing results&
...some of which are finally being released for everyone to be thankful for. Heres an update for some coming releases on MFX projects:
Turistas December 1, 2006
In Case of Emergency / ABC new series premieres - January 1, 2007
Snakes on a Plane on DVD !! January 2, 2007
Path Finder January 12, 2007
Wind Chill February 2, 2007
Fido March 9, 2007
Mimzy March 23, 2007
Cheers to everyone, and a Happy Thanksgiving, Todd
MFX needs a coffeeshop - damm!
November 16, 2006 / 08:04:57 PDT
A couple of days in Amsterdam and I still haven't completely shaken my Romanian hangover. But I am feeling more like a real human again, thanks to lots of rest, an all soup diet, and the friendly & diverse culture here.
I'm slowly getting used to my 'hood and testing every good spicy restaurant I can...food has a new meaning after the catering on that last show! And something crazy and spicy dish seems to be the only thing that's scaring away my cold.
Art seems to drip from every corner around where I am staying...galleries filled with unique stuff that's really inspiring. I realize it's been too long for a chance for me to stop and recharge my creative batteries. My sketch pads are filling up again with drawings instead of budgets and notes...and that's a fresh feeling.
But I'm not so out of touch with film-land - keeping up with our shops via internet. MFX/LA is starting "The Staircase" and a new Jamie Kennedy project. Vancouver is continuing "Blood Ties" and beginning prep on Sanctuary.
And I've got more scripts to read than clean pants. Ill be back soon&.Cheers, Todd
I'm slowly getting used to my 'hood and testing every good spicy restaurant I can...food has a new meaning after the catering on that last show! And something crazy and spicy dish seems to be the only thing that's scaring away my cold.
Art seems to drip from every corner around where I am staying...galleries filled with unique stuff that's really inspiring. I realize it's been too long for a chance for me to stop and recharge my creative batteries. My sketch pads are filling up again with drawings instead of budgets and notes...and that's a fresh feeling.
But I'm not so out of touch with film-land - keeping up with our shops via internet. MFX/LA is starting "The Staircase" and a new Jamie Kennedy project. Vancouver is continuing "Blood Ties" and beginning prep on Sanctuary.
And I've got more scripts to read than clean pants. Ill be back soon&.Cheers, Todd
Needed : an Easy Button for my set kit
November 13, 2006 / 14:25:56 PDT
Finally out of Romania and we've wrapped Dark Castle...or Headless, as it was once called.
That one was a bit of a tough trip; very long days, usually juggling between first and second units (which I directed), and not anything like, 'easy'. My body has made it clear that I am not as spry as I once was...ending up with a bad cold and general exhaustion by the end of it. But I survived with relatively few permanent scars.
Ultimately though, I think we've ended up with a fun film - despite the speedbumps that one comes across in on-location, low-budget, trench warfare. We had them all : no budget, 6 1/2 day weeks, incomplete resources, constantly changing schedules, inexperienced leaders, stray dogs, bad food, cold nights, and a hotel situation that made you feel up-the-creek, in the middle of HELL...without a paddle.
But, I guess by now, I've seen 'em all...and I can't say I expected it to be much more than it was.
Fortunately, we were lucky with a few, very skilled crew and cast - and a couple of folks that went beyond the usual call-of-duty & really made the experience one to remember. Thanks to everyone that helped make it a lot better than it probably should've been. And I hope that your scars heal too.
I'm now cruising Europe on my way back to the West; stalling a bit to convelesce and trying to get my groove back...in Amsterdam! Nothing like a creative re-charge with Van Gogh and Rembrandt...not to mention the fine coffe the serve here.
More, when I'm willing to admit it ~ Todd
That one was a bit of a tough trip; very long days, usually juggling between first and second units (which I directed), and not anything like, 'easy'. My body has made it clear that I am not as spry as I once was...ending up with a bad cold and general exhaustion by the end of it. But I survived with relatively few permanent scars.
Ultimately though, I think we've ended up with a fun film - despite the speedbumps that one comes across in on-location, low-budget, trench warfare. We had them all : no budget, 6 1/2 day weeks, incomplete resources, constantly changing schedules, inexperienced leaders, stray dogs, bad food, cold nights, and a hotel situation that made you feel up-the-creek, in the middle of HELL...without a paddle.
But, I guess by now, I've seen 'em all...and I can't say I expected it to be much more than it was.
Fortunately, we were lucky with a few, very skilled crew and cast - and a couple of folks that went beyond the usual call-of-duty & really made the experience one to remember. Thanks to everyone that helped make it a lot better than it probably should've been. And I hope that your scars heal too.
I'm now cruising Europe on my way back to the West; stalling a bit to convelesce and trying to get my groove back...in Amsterdam! Nothing like a creative re-charge with Van Gogh and Rembrandt...not to mention the fine coffe the serve here.
More, when I'm willing to admit it ~ Todd
Don't lose your head in Romania
November 02, 2006 / 05:02:50 PDT
I'm still making it through the cold days and nights outside Bucharest (castelfilm.com) shooting the second unit and making-up-FX work as we go. We're busy and it ain't pretty or nice, but we're getting through it.
Yesterday we killed off three of the cast members in various ways...mainly decaps - being that the show's called 'Headless'.
It's been a struggle to come up with new, unique ways to chop a head off! Yesterday's fav : Tiffany falling into a big, knarly, rusted BEAR TRAP! Unfortunately, the prop trap didn't really SNAP - it kind of just slowly, eased itself close with no real terror -so we had to get very creative filming it.
Ultimately, the best solution was using our real actress...burrying her real head into the ground, below the phony trap, and then activating the trap with some high-tech string! Actually looked good! And at the end of the day, everyone still went home in one piece.
'Home'....uh that's not really the word to use for this. In fact, it's becoming that-time-of-the-show where the crew revolts.
I think we're moving out of this aweful hotel....probably to another aweful hotel.
Meanwhile, back in the West, both shops are busy juggling shows. Blood Ties in Vancouver and Veronica Mars & more pick-ups for Eragion in MFX/LA.
Ahhh, miss those places. I'd do anything for a Starbucks. Peace & fake blood, Todd
Yesterday we killed off three of the cast members in various ways...mainly decaps - being that the show's called 'Headless'.
It's been a struggle to come up with new, unique ways to chop a head off! Yesterday's fav : Tiffany falling into a big, knarly, rusted BEAR TRAP! Unfortunately, the prop trap didn't really SNAP - it kind of just slowly, eased itself close with no real terror -so we had to get very creative filming it.
Ultimately, the best solution was using our real actress...burrying her real head into the ground, below the phony trap, and then activating the trap with some high-tech string! Actually looked good! And at the end of the day, everyone still went home in one piece.
'Home'....uh that's not really the word to use for this. In fact, it's becoming that-time-of-the-show where the crew revolts.
I think we're moving out of this aweful hotel....probably to another aweful hotel.
Meanwhile, back in the West, both shops are busy juggling shows. Blood Ties in Vancouver and Veronica Mars & more pick-ups for Eragion in MFX/LA.
Ahhh, miss those places. I'd do anything for a Starbucks. Peace & fake blood, Todd
When in Romania, do as the dogs do, do
October 30, 2006 / 12:45:45 PDT
Here in Romania, it's nearly Halloween&maybe that's why everything's so scary!
Well, day 1 onset for Dark Castle seemed to go off without any major hitch&many, many minor ones, but I'm trying to remain positive. I'm here at Castel Studios where they shot Cold Mountain (as well many other cheaper ones...) - outside grey, gloomy Bucharesti - for the next week or so&and I might say, it's looking better than last time I was here, many years ago on "Beowulf".
This time the food's nearly edible (a vast improvement), the local artists are far more experienced and it's not as chilly as I recall (not yet...?)
A fair start but I expect a snowball to fly very soon.
Meanwhile, back on the other side of the world, I hope there were some other good Halloween parties. I've received a few disappointed phone calls and e-mails from friends upset about us not throwing our usual BASH this year. Very sorry, but duty calls&.or in this case dootie....A big steamy dootie.
I wish all of you a very Happy Halloween, hopefully back soon....maybe we can all dress-up for Thanksgiving?
Regards, Todd
Well, day 1 onset for Dark Castle seemed to go off without any major hitch&many, many minor ones, but I'm trying to remain positive. I'm here at Castel Studios where they shot Cold Mountain (as well many other cheaper ones...) - outside grey, gloomy Bucharesti - for the next week or so&and I might say, it's looking better than last time I was here, many years ago on "Beowulf".
This time the food's nearly edible (a vast improvement), the local artists are far more experienced and it's not as chilly as I recall (not yet...?)
A fair start but I expect a snowball to fly very soon.
Meanwhile, back on the other side of the world, I hope there were some other good Halloween parties. I've received a few disappointed phone calls and e-mails from friends upset about us not throwing our usual BASH this year. Very sorry, but duty calls&.or in this case dootie....A big steamy dootie.
I wish all of you a very Happy Halloween, hopefully back soon....maybe we can all dress-up for Thanksgiving?
Regards, Todd
Here today, gone to Romania - anyone seen SLITHER!?
October 27, 2006 / 06:16:56 PDT
Our last couple days of finishing up prosthetics & FX for "Dark Castle", er..."Headless", or whatever it's called...is near done. And I'm off to Bucharest for a little bit, to somehow film this stuff.
I'll be directing the second unit and the FX work. Sounds like a challenge. Actually it doesn't really make a sound...since there's little way to communicate with production. They're lost in Romania and already at the throws of prodiction. Wish me luck.
In other news, Slither is finally out on DVD, and boys was it worth the wait. Loaded with some really great extras, including a great segment with our amazing crew, behind the scenes.
In fact & perhaps biased, I can't remember seeing a more enjoyable behind-the-scenes. The DVD team deserves kudos....but so does our Slither crew! Wow, with so much in that movie it's easy to get lost in the quantity, but as the DVD shows, there's really some fantastic work in SLITHER.
The memories that disc brought back...almost got brain damage watching. Seems like a long time from here.
Peace, may all your monsters be fake. Todd
I'll be directing the second unit and the FX work. Sounds like a challenge. Actually it doesn't really make a sound...since there's little way to communicate with production. They're lost in Romania and already at the throws of prodiction. Wish me luck.
In other news, Slither is finally out on DVD, and boys was it worth the wait. Loaded with some really great extras, including a great segment with our amazing crew, behind the scenes.
In fact & perhaps biased, I can't remember seeing a more enjoyable behind-the-scenes. The DVD team deserves kudos....but so does our Slither crew! Wow, with so much in that movie it's easy to get lost in the quantity, but as the DVD shows, there's really some fantastic work in SLITHER.
The memories that disc brought back...almost got brain damage watching. Seems like a long time from here.
Peace, may all your monsters be fake. Todd
And even more Kudos! Nominations for Stargate!
October 17, 2006 / 15:23:17 PDT
Oh yeah, forgot to mention, we were also nominated for our third Gemini Award recently! This for the makeup FX for Stargate SG-1 : "Origin". Many thanks and congrats to all our team members on Stargate! Geminis will be announced tomorrow from Toronto ...wish us luck!
-- Todd/mfx
-- Todd/mfx
Back in Vancouver!
October 17, 2006 / 13:41:45 PDT
It's been a busy few weeks wrapping projects and prepping some new stuff...whew, are my arms tired. I'm back in Canada today, checking in on our BC shop where we're continuing prep on a new series called Blood Ties and a few others we cannot quite yet mention.
Also, to note, our shop was nominated for 'best bloody & nasty stuff' at the 2006 Fango/Fuse Chainsaw Awards - for Slither! This just happened in LA over the weekend with much glitz and Hollywood madness....to be aired this coming weekend. To see if we won, check out FUSE.tv for listing of how, where, when to watch. Speaking of 'Slither', it's been released in Europe & Australia on DVD, and next week, Oct 24th, in the States and hopefully everywhere else. Check out the many, many extras we had fun helping the producers with....and of course the James Gunn's wildly entertaining film.
- Happy haunting, Todd/MFX
Also, to note, our shop was nominated for 'best bloody & nasty stuff' at the 2006 Fango/Fuse Chainsaw Awards - for Slither! This just happened in LA over the weekend with much glitz and Hollywood madness....to be aired this coming weekend. To see if we won, check out FUSE.tv for listing of how, where, when to watch. Speaking of 'Slither', it's been released in Europe & Australia on DVD, and next week, Oct 24th, in the States and hopefully everywhere else. Check out the many, many extras we had fun helping the producers with....and of course the James Gunn's wildly entertaining film.
- Happy haunting, Todd/MFX
Going live Friday the 13th!
October 10, 2006 / 09:32:20 PDT
Hey everyone, the site's getting there and looks really good. Many thanks for all the hard work!
3 days until the world.
T
3 days until the world.
T
Let the countdown begin!
October 03, 2006 / 10:19:06 PDT
Hey eveyone! The website is fast approaching completion and very soon we will be going live! Sarah has been working non-stop making final touches- it's looking great!
J
J