·       LMC:Have you sculpted any?

MA: Aside from a few things I did for Distortions years ago I just did one for another company. It’s a certain rockstar I can’t name right now.

LMC:Your sculpting video is great, one of those you have to watch time and again to get all the nuances.  What was your motivation for making it?

MA: Friends were suggesting it all the time. I tried to think of what I would want to see if I were going to buy a video like this. Besides it was good practice in learning Final Cut Pro and After Effects.  

LMC:Any future segments upcoming?

MA: I’m going to do another video soon. I’m still deciding what subject to do. Caricature or cartoon or likeness or hands or the human figure or a creature suit. Then possibly a mold making video.

LMC:How has the public reacted?

MA: Women are sending me marriage proposals and their underwear. Also, people seem to like the production value it has and especially like all the detailing tricks. The only thing I would do differently next time is give more verbal explanation.

LMC:Ahh yes, but true art can never be really explained huh J

MA: My point exactly. Sometimes it’s better to learn by watching. 

LMC:Your work shows a lot of character.  Not just snarls and mean faces, but the expressions really draw the viewer in.  Do you spend a lot of time learning how the face moves in response to an expression, or simply wing it from pictures and whatnot?

MA: I’m a bit obsessive about faces. Certain people have a face that expresses an emotion better than other faces. So if I can, I compare that face to others with the same expression to find out what makes that face special.

LMC:So, do you need to reference photos of that expression, or can you draw it out from your head?

MA: I get photos when I can.

LMC:Can you give the readers a few sculpting tips?

MA: Practice sculpting skulls. Make sure you have AND USE calipers. Also, working from a model or a life cast is the best reference.  

LMC:Do you do molds?  If so, any tips for mask makers working with various stones?

MA: I do molds now and then but not like the John Dods days. Don’t  use ultracal to make a mask mold. It doesn’t absorb latex as well as hydrocal.

LMC:Interesting.  I know a lot of people use ultracal 30.

MA: It’s fine if you’re brushing up layers but if you want to do the traditional way of pouring a mask you need absorbent plaster. The traditional way is to fill the mold with latex, wait about half an hour to an hour and empty the mold. Then let the coating in the mold dry. Hydrocal works better than Ultracal and pottery plaster works better than Hydrocal. I believe Distortions uses pottery plaster. 

LMC:What about tips for budding FX artists looking to break into the field?

MA: WARNING! This industry is very, very toxic and people have died or acquired problems from working in shops that aren’t careful about chemicals. Research the dangers of things like urethane and fiberglass so you know how to protect yourself.

LMC:Good point.  Do you feel studios tend to deemphasize safety over speed and results?

MA: That is the fact for most shops here. Not Baker’s though. 

LMC:Any skills or talents you wished you could do better?

MA: I wish I could draw. 

LMC:What would you be doing today had you never gotten into the creature business?

MA: I can’t imagine. 

LMC:What’s your favorite movie and why?

MA: It’s probably Jaws. I love the relationship of Brody, Quint and Hooper. But The Shining is a close runner up. It’s a truly unsettling flick.

LMC:Ah yes, good old Jack, one of my favorites.  What did you think of the recent Shining TV remake?

MA: I heard it was bad so I ignored it. How could a TV movie be better than the original? They said it was more accurate to the book. So? Kubrick’s ideas were better! 

LMC:What’s your favorite movie character and why?

MA: Off the top of my head, Snake Plissken. He looks cool and has a cool attitude. 

LMC:What makes you happy?

MA: When a woman touches me right here.

LMC:Good thing this is text only J 

LMC:Any pet peeves?

MA: Political Correctness. Why does anyone outside of politics care about it? Also when people refer to a movie as a “popcorn movie”. What the hell does that mean?

LMC:Beats me, I eat popcorn in all the movies I see. 

LMC:What do you do when not working?

MA: Lately, finishing up editing on a TV pilot I shot  with a group of friends who donated their time and talents. It’s a slapstick sitcom called “Mook From Jersey” and it’s all done with some really funny looking puppets. It’s geared for adults and teens. Mook is a forty something fella who never moved out of mom’s house. He lives with her and his bully brother Spunky. It also features the most alluring girl puppets ever seen. I’m pitching the show to several networks in the hope of landing a primetime spot. Preferably on cable so I don’t have to tone down the racier aspects.

LMC:Cool, keep us posted on the progress… I’m sure a lot of people will be interested.   

LMC:Any words of wisdom you live by?

MA: Choose the middle road, unless you’re obsessive. Also don’t drink tap water.

LMC:Thanks a lot for taking the time for this interview.