Mike Elizalde: Amazing Special Effects Artist and Owner of Spectral Motion
Special Effects Artist Mike Elizalde
By J. Jekyll
September 2009
Goremaster.com
Mr. 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.
GM: When did you make your decision to enter the field?
ME: The earliest seeds of defining this path as my career choice were planted the first time I saw “The Exorcist” but the movie which pushed me over the edge was “An American Werewolf in London”. I was intrigued by monsters and makeup effects ever since I was very young. I remember in the first grade I would make paintings on newsprint like most kids do but instead of creating images, I would paint a palette which I would later reconstitute at home with water and paint my face like the monsters I watched on TV. My favorites were the classic Universal monsters!
GM: What or who inspired you to start? Who was your influence?
ME: One of the most powerful influences of my career has been the great Dick Smith. Not only has he set a supreme example of resourcefulness, inventiveness and boundless creative energy, but his kindness and generosity are unparalleled. He has mentored many amazing artists including Rick Baker and Kazuhiro Tsuji. The man is a living legend and is always willing to share his knowledge with anyone who comes to him for information or advice. His ego doesn’t rule his personality despite his monumental achievements and he always greets you with warmth and a genuine interest in what you are doing.
GM: Favorite early special effects memory (it can be from a movie scene – a book – a TV show)?
ME: That’s easy, Frankenstein’s monster in “Frankenstein” and “The Bride of Frankenstein”. Also, Bernie Wrightson’s beautifully illustrated “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein”. The images in that book and in those films are hauntingly profound and fully capture the torment and pathos of the creature. They touched my heart very deeply the first time I saw them and I will never forget them.
Mike Elizalde sculpting Doug Jones Vampire
GM: What are your top five special effects movies?
ME: There are literally hundreds of movies which I could list here but if I had to choose five from a more contemporary list they might be:
John Carpenter’s The Thing
The Exorcist
The Hunger
An American Werewolf in London
Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula
This is such a miniscule tip of the iceberg and I know that tomorrow I would probably choose five different films.
GM: What is your favorite makeup special effects scene from a movie? (it doesn’t have to be from one of your movies)
ME: I really like the amazing transformation scene in “An American Werewolf in London”.
GM: Who is your favorite special effects person?
ME: Dick Smith
Mike Elizalde points to sculpture with Dick Smith
GM: How did you get started working in the Special Effects industry?
ME: I learned the basics from a book by Lee Baygan called “Techniques of Three Dimensional Make-up: A Step-By-Step Guide” in 1985 while I was in the military. I used the book to create a portfolio of makeup effects and got my first job shortly after I left the service.
GM: Whose current work do you admire?
ME: There are so many artists whose work I admire and respect that I could not possibly narrow it down to just one name.
GM: How have you gotten work in the industry?
ME: I have always gotten work based on recommendations from others for whom I have worked. This continues to be the case now that I own Spectral Motion.
GM: What was your toughest job?
ME: Every job is challenging and every time I finish a job I have my incredible team to thank for bringing so much to the equation. I suppose the toughest project I ever worked on was “Stargate”. I was working outside in the sun during the peak of summer running countless fiberglass parts for all of the weapon and costume elements in the film. It was very difficult.
Mike Elizalde with Mr. Wink from Hellboy
GM: What was your favorite job?
Mike Elizalde with Ron Perlman, Doug Jones and Guillermo del Toro
ME: “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” because of the amazing diversity of characters we created and because I got to work for the third time with my dear friends Guillermo del Toro and Ron Perlman.
GM: How do you pick out materials to use for a project? Do you make your own? Are there any brands that you recommend?
ME: We choose materials based on the requirements of the job. It really depends on what we’re doing. Sometimes we do formulate our own materials but typically we get our products form manufacturers like most other industries. I love Chavant clay and would recommend it to anyone.
Mike Elizalde touching up Ron Perlman for Hellboy II
GM: What do you do to prepare for a new project when you are developing creatures/characters? What steps are involved for creature creation on a new project?
ME: We prepare by first reading the script, breaking it down into creature and make-up effects requirements, create conceptual art based on the breakdown and then move on the full build. There are many meetings with the directors and producers involved and the process can take quite a bit of time.
GM: Are there any new breakthroughs or ideas in the industry that excite you?
ME: I love the fact that more and more filmmakers are returning to hand made, practical effects and not relying solely on digital effects. I consider this a breakthrough.
GM: How do you envision the future of makeup special effects – do you think that CGI is hurting the industry?
ME: I think that CG is helping the industry tremendously. It has certainly expanded the scope of effects in film exponentially. I am very excited by the fact that there is such an amazing tool at our disposal for the generations of filmmakers to come. I hope that the future of film will not be a chilly digital landscape devoid of tactile elements but a complete blend of all technologies used wisely.
GM: What is a current project you are working on? Or what project are you excited about?
ME: We are currently working on a really fun project called “Your Highness” written by and starring Danny McBride. It also stars James Franco, Natalie Portman and Toby Jones. The director is David Gordon Green. He directed “Pineapple Express” I’m having a blast on this one!
GM: Do you have advice for a beginner or someone just getting started in the business? Are there any specific books or courses you would recommend?
ME: Work hard, make realistic goals and learn, learn, learn! Read everything you can on the subjects which interest you and do your own research into finding the courses which best suit your interests. The internet is an awesome source for finding your path.
GM: What was the best advice/training you ever received?
ME: In my experience, on the job training has been invaluable. The best advice I ever received was not to let anyone tell me I couldn’t do what I set my mind to do.
GM: Many of our international readers have asked us if they should move to the U.S.
(Hollywood) to get started in Special Makeup Effects, what would you recommend?
ME: Life is such an individual experience. It should be lived with the intent and conviction of the navigator in each of us. I would always recommend that one should take the necessary risks in life to achieve one’s goals and dreams. Do that which your heart and your gut tell you to do. Without risk, there is no reward.
Visit Spectral Motion Website:
http://www.spectralmotion.com/
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