Roland Blancaflor creature creator

Artist Roland Blancaflor

By J. Jekyll
June 2009
Goremaster.com

Mr. Blancaflor has been working in the special effects industry since the late 1980s. He has created effects for such hits as AVP Alien vs Predator(2004), Robocop 2 (1990), Total Recall (1990), Hellboy 2: The Golden Army (2008), and the new Land of the Lost (2009) film.

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GM: When did you make your decision to enter the field?

RB: I was 21 when I decided to follow my heart and dream,
A late comer to the MUFX business in the late 80’s

GM: What or who inspired you to start? Who was your influence?

RB: I would have to say to start was my Dad. He was a big Halloween
buff when I was a kid. He created a head chopping Cyclops,
Witch and other displays for the kids. Of course, I followed suit as
I got older.

GM: Favorite early special effects memory – movie scene – book – TV show?

RB: Scenes from all the old black & white Twilight Zone and Outer Limit shows.

GM: What are your top five special effects movies?

RB:
John Carpenter’s The Thing
Elephant Man
Aliens
The Exorcist
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind

GM: What is your favorite special effects scene from a movie? (it doesn’t have to be from one of your movies)

RB: No favorite, I like an effect that shocks, haunts and is made to be believable.

GM: Who is your favorite special effects person?

RB: I can’t give you just one…Lon Chaney, Dick Smith, Rick Baker,
Rob Bottin, Greg Cannom, Kazu Tsuji………

GM: How did you get started working in the Special Effects industry?

RB: A mixture of persistence and luck!

GM: How have you gotten work in the industry?

RB: Being able to deliver on or before deadlines, honesty and
accountability.

GM: What was your toughest job?

RB: The toughest job I had was How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
I was in charge of a day and night crew casting prosthetics for
over 100 characters, principal and background. I believe we made
Over 30, 000 makeup appliances. During this time my wife gave
birth to my daughter.

GM: What was your favorite job?

RB: Looking back I’d say Total Recall. It’s not that I had a great time on it ,
a 36 hour straight shift ….I will never do again. But it is my favorite because
I saw the magic of Bottin Productions create some amazing effects
for it’s time. All pre CGI

GM: How do you pick out materials to use for a project? Do you make your own? Are there any brands that you recommend?

RB: Usually the design will dictate which type of materials to use. I strive for safety, and health concerns for the performer.

I do create my own “gumbo” foam latex formulation. I take from various
brands, add a few secret sauces and call it mine….but I share cooking tips.

GM: What is a current project you are working on? Or what project are you excited about?

RB: I let you know when my boss lets you know…ah, the usual Hollywood secrets.

GM: Do you have advice for a beginner or someone just getting started in the business?

RB:
No one wants to work someone with a bad attitude.

Get ready to start at the bottom.

Keep being creative

If someone helps you get a job make sure you help others

GM: What was the best advice/training you ever received?

RB: Shut up, watch, listen and practice, practice, practice….

GoreMaster.com http://www.goremaster.com is a site dedicated to special effects artists, creature creators, makeup gurus and the films, television shows, and theater productions they enhance and make fun!