Page 2

LMC: Can you describe how someone would punch hair for latex masks?  Any hints or tips to speed the process along?

MM:  There’s no way to do ventilating or punching fast.  You can become better. But it is what it is.. one or two hairs at a time.  When punching, occasionally dip your needle into Silicone 200 fluid or Orange oil. It keeps the holes from showing as much and is less harsh on the latex/foam. Remember that when you’re done punching, that’s not the end of the process. You  have to seal the punched hair from the back or it will pull out. It would be terrible to spend 40+ hours punching hair on a mask and have it pull out.

LMC: What do you consider your stronger FX talents?

MM:  Making wigs is a very strong point.  I’m a competent sculptor, I’d much rather apply and work on set than live in a lab. There are too many noxious chemicals and too few shops that pay attention to safety protocol.

LMC: Do you ever sculpt in your spare time (if you have spare time)?  If so, what do you work on? 

MM:  Yes.. I’m almost always working on personal projects. Sculpting and makeup is not like riding a bike.  You have to do it all the time or you lose it! I’d like to do more fine art stuff.. but I don’t normally have the time. One of these days.

LMC: What about your weaker talents?                

MM:I’m not a great designer. I can work well from a drawing, but I can’t draw worth beans. Give me a picture, and I can sculpt it, but coming up with stuff from scratch is not really my forte. I don’t like to design as I sculpt.  That’s what production designers are for.

LMC: Talk about the FX biz and where you think it is going?  How is CGI affecting that?

MM: If anyone has seen the postings on some of the message boards by Mike-Up. That’s me. I honestly think that our business will be taken over by CGI in the near future. I’ve been told that I’m just yelling that the sky is falling… but I really do think the sky is falling.

LMC: Do you think there is any direction Makeup can go or thrive?

MM: That’s a good question!  I think that straight makeup will probably always be around.. but with HDTV and better and better film, makeup artists have to get much better at what they do. Makeup schools had better get better as well. So many of them are so far behind and train so badly. 

Actually I’d better not get started on my opinion of makeup schools, I’ll get sued.

I do think that shortly SPFX makeup will die a computer death.  I’d love to see makeup artists getting the computer jobs… cross training will be key!

Have you seen the difference between a matte painting painted by a computer geek and one painted (even on a computer) by an artist? The paintings painted by a technician are embarrassing.

LMC: Talk about your trip to India!

MM: Buy first Hold and read the diaries.. it’s a long complicated trip!

LMC: Impressive, you were nominated for Best Makeup award in Theater.  Was that a shining moment in your career?  Were you upset you didn’t get it?  

MM: I was very honored to be nominated for my best makeup award.. of course. Was I upset?  nah.. the lion King Kicks ass!  How can a little show even compete? There will be other nominations. Eventually I’ll win  one. I’m too competitive not to.

LMC: What plans do you have if FX work gets more scarce?

MM: I occasionally still dabble in magic… who knows?

LMC: What’s your favorite clay?

MM: Yellow/White Roma #3, sometimes I melt it down and add a bit of RMGP to it to make it a bit more flesh colored. Normally, I don’t’ do that to a large batch, just my texturing slurry. Slurry is clay melted in alcohol. 

LMC: How about some sculpting tips?

MM: Take Jordu Schell’s classes!  I tend to work wet.. I go through tons of alcohol when I sculpt!  I’m not recommending that for other people, but it works for me.

LMC: Lets hear a good tip you picked up from Jordu

MM: I have not taken his classes, I’ve just heard wonderful things about the classes.

LMC: How about some molding tips for latex masks (ultracal, hydrocal, etc)?

MM: Make sure you clamp everything every time you bake it.. Don’t be in a rush to break your two piece molds apart, let the plaster set fully  and be patient.. There’s nothing worse than rushing through something and mucking it up!  Flashing is a normal thing.. don’t think your mold is made wrong because the flashing is there.

Page 4