Creepy Puppet Creator
GoreMaster makes a turn toward the depths of creepy puppetry with Matt Ficner, puppeteer, inventor and creature creator extraordinaire
Matt Ficner
By J. Jekyll
April 2009
Goremaster.com
Mr. Matt Ficner of Matt Ficner Productions and Creepy Puppet Project fame agreed to answer a few questions for GoreMaster. Mr. Ficner is a multi talented designer, creature creator, and puppeteer. In 2007, he created the "Creepy Puppet Project" having been a long time fan of action and horror films. Mr. Ficner wanted to prove that puppets can be more than "just for kids". In our opinion he has done just that! Enjoy the following interview as we delve into the depths of creepy creatures and the things that make your hair stand on end... |
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GM: When did you make your decision to enter the field?
FM: Well, I’ve always been creating and making my own projects. Puppetry, monster FX, creature costumes were all a part of my youth. So, I think that I found myself entering this field simply as part of my evolution as a creative artist. There are so many aspects to this “field” that I find fulfilling. Sculpture, Painting, Designing, Robotics, Story telling, Performing are just some of the many things I get to do as a professional.
GM: What or who inspired you to start? Who was your influence?
MF: In high school, I was leaning towards a career in robotic engineering. Yet, somewhere along that path I felt that my creative side was not being fulfilled. I then started doing FX makeup for school stage shows, designing sets and I found myself building and performing monster puppet shows. And I loved it.
As I was finishing high school, I connected with a production company and started working on different TV shows as a puppet designer, builder and performer.
Matt Ficner surrounds himself with the un-dead
GM: Favorite early special effects memory – movie scene – book – TV show?
MF: I loved the creatures in Star Wars (original of course) and was completely spellbound by all the inhabitants of The Dark Crystal. Star Wars had literally one of the biggest monster puppets ever… Jabba the Hutt! And I think EVERY scene in the Dark Crystal was a masterpiece.
GM: What are your top five special effects movies?
MF: That is kind of challenging to narrow down to just 5! There are so many awesome FX films out there. Well from the older films I like, I would have to say The Dark Crystal and Gremlins. More recent films that I really like are Hellboy and Hellboy 2. From the horror genre, I thought the creature FX in The Mist were really cool.
GM: What is your favorite makeup special effects scene from a movie? (it doesn’t have to be from one of your movies)
MF: Again, there are so many great scenes from so many great movies. I think I’d have to say that the “troll market” scene from Hellboy 2 is one of my top favorites.
GM: Who is your favorite special effects person?
MF: I would have to say that Stan Winston is probably one of the true masters of the special effects world. It was unfortunate that he is no longer with us. I never met him, but every person who speaks about him and every interview he ever held, you could tell that he loved all that he did and brought that light and enthusiasm to every project. His success came from his passion for his craft. I can only hope to emulate that.
GM: Whose current work do you admire?
MF: I must say that the work of Dave Elsey is very inspiring. He’s done a lot of great creature designs for a lot of projects. You may not know who he is, but if you’re a sci-fi fan.. you know his stuff!
I also think that Mike Elizalde is a genius at his craft. I’ve had the honor of chatting with him and he is as kind as he is talented. His work on Hellboy 2 SHOULD have won the Oscar!
GM: How have you gotten work in the industry?
MF: I just simply do what I do… create. Sometimes I volunteer to help out other independent film makers who are creating their own horror films. Sometimes I audition or submit resumes for projects… and other times I’m contacted by former clients who have newer projects. I honestly believe that if you love what you do and work hard at you passions, work.. paying work will find you.
GM: What was your toughest job?
MF: I think one of my toughest jobs was also one of my favorite jobs! Many, many years ago… I was a community TV producer for a local cable station. I created a Sci-Fi mini series that was entirely populated by puppets. My jobs included all of the following: Puppet Design & Build, Script Writer, Puppeteer Trainer, Head Puppeteer, Set/Props Designer & Builder, Camera Operator, Audio technician, Editor, Visual FX designer, Soundtrack musician…. And I’m sure a few more jobs that I’m forgetting. So, it was a busy 3 months. It was tough because of all the things I had to do… but it was also one of my most favorite jobs because of all the things I GOT to do!
GM: Are there any new breakthroughs or ideas in the industry that excite you?
I’m as much a fan of watching movies and TV as I am someone who makes it. I think that there is so much going on in the world of entertainment that one can’t help but be excited. “Where the Wild Things Are” and “9” look like they are going to be amazing.
GM: What is a current project you are working on? Or what project are you excited about?
MF: Currently, I’m working away at my “Creepy Puppet Project”. I’m creating short horror, sci-fi and fun short films that all feature my creepy puppet creations. I’ve got zombies getting up to all kinds of antics and monsters running amok and eating people.
At the moment I’m creating all the Creepy Puppet Project content out of my humble home studio. I’m working at getting either a network or some investments into the project so I can bring it to a wider audience.
I’ve got a healthy following online on my YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/cre8ivegargoyle and a growing following on a Facebook fan site. (search Creepy Puppet Project Fan Club).
Matt Ficner shows off his fangs with creepy friend
GM: Do you have advice for a beginner or someone just getting started in the business?
MF: With any endeavor, I would always say that it should be something your passionate about first and foremost. If your goals are to simply do something in order to get rich or famous, you may very well end up forever “trying” to get rich and famous.
If your passion is to get into making films, creating special FX or some form of creative part of this industry… just do it! Find ways of volunteering your time on projects. Connect with people who are passionate about the same things.
In this modern age, there are many tools and resources that are more readily available to aspiring filmmakers etc. When I started in the industry, the Internet did not exist and you needed a room full of equipment to do the work that can now be done on a tiny lap top computer. So, the tools are not as hard to get your hands on.. so just do it!
When you start to do the things you want to do, opportunities will manifest and take you further down a creative path.
GM: What was the best advice/training you ever received?
MF: Do not be afraid to follow your bliss!
In closing, I just want to thank you folks at GoreMaster.com for a chance to talk about some of my work and connect with your audience. Be well everyone and don’t forget to say hello to all the creepy things that hide in those dark corners of your mind! Happy creating!
Don't be afraid to visit Matt and his creations at Matt Ficner Productions Inc.
http://www.mfproductions.ca
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