By J. Jekyll
April 2009
Goremaster.com
GoreMaster caught up with animatronics and mechanical designer Scott Oshita for an in depth interview about his work in the special effects industry. Over the course of Mr. Oshita’s impressive 20 year career his list of film credits include Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993), Species (1995), Mimic (1997), Godzilla (1998), Stuart Little (1999), Meet the Spartans (2008), Chronicles of Nardia: Prince Caspian (2008) and Bedtime Stories (2008) just to name a few! |
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GM: Favorite early special effects memory – movie scene – book – TV show?
SO: Growing up in a generation without movie rentals or the internet, my viewing choice was limited to what was on television or what my parents would allow me to see. I do love the horror / sci-fi genre, but really am passionate over the entire film making process as a whole. I watch just about everything and anything.
I never really studied or researched Efx because I never thought it was a possibility. I do remember watching stuff like “That’s Entertainment” when it was on television. The first exposure I had to a “behind the scenes” look of special effects was Cinefex magazine. The Cinefex #16, the Rick Baker issue was the first time investigating. I was amazed.
It’s really scary to think how this has changed with things like cable television, Netflix & the internet. You can find just about anything if you have the desire and passion to do so.
GM: What are your top five special effects movies?
SO: How can I possibly narrow it down to only 5!?! I’m going to cheat a little and tweak my answer if you don’t mind.
As a kid, I was hooked on Toho movies or anything Harryhausen did. As a kid, the best thing about holidays wasn’t the food or gatherings. For me, it was the sci-fi marathons they would show. Let’s just say I wasn’t very popular with the adults on New Years. Football always came 2nd to the Twilight Zone or Godzilla extravaganzas.
Two early experiences I recall was Star Wars & American Werewolf in London. Not saying there wasn’t anything great before or after these, but I recall these being one of my early experiences where I watched a movie and didn’t get the feeling I was watch special effects. For the time, Efx reached a new level of maturity. I didn’t even care about the Efx. I was pulled into the movie and consumed by the experience.
… and maybe Jurassic Park. I cried when I watch a pre-screening of Jurassic Park. Not tears of joy, but grief. I knew from that point on, this was the turning point of CGI vs Practical. What a bitter sweet experience that was.
I would have to add Forest Gump to the list too. Not for the make-up or gore obviously, but as a visual experience. If implemented properly, special effects should be an invisible art. Even if someone says, “WOW! That was an incredible effect!” The brain still processed that they were watching an effect. If truly successful, nobody should key in to the fact that they are seeing anything out of the ordinary. I don’t think the average audience viewer realizes how many effects are in some movies.
GM: What is your favorite makeup special effects scene from a movie? (it doesn’t have to be from one of your movies)
SO: Like the previous question, it’s just too darn hard to single out any specific one. I’ll say I’m a pretty big fan of just about anything Rob Bottin produced. Rob is fearless. Much of his work was so wonderfully over the top. His work is always so much fun to watch. In so many instances, if you saw a rough concept or heard a description of one of Rob’s creations, you would think, “No way! That’s too crazy and the audience will never buy it!” As crazy and over the top as his work is at times, the audience loves it!
GM: Who is your favorite special effects person?
SO: Wow! Each question gets harder and harder. I have encountered so many incredible talents over the years. With so many aspects and specialists, it’s difficult to narrow down. One that comes to mind would be Larry Odien. Larry has a great balance of art, mechanical, creativity & practicality. Larry also has a great working attitude. He’s such a joy to work with. It’s too bad our paths don’t cross as much as it used to. The better grasp you have of the entire process, the more vital you are to the team. Larry knows it all.
I admire Dave Kindlon & Evan Brainard’s tenacity to never accept “No” as an option. There have been many instances where a material, motor or controller didn’t exist. This didn’t stop them from completing their task at hand. If a solution didn’t exist, they would invent it or coordinate a manufacturing to create something new.
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