Creature Models

So I’ve saved the best for last. Throughout the Monsterpalooza maze were wonderful replicas of some terrifying creatures. Some are Hollywood famous, and others came from the imaginative minds of great design and effects artists.

This is a lifesize replica of legendary FX artist Rick Baker putting on the wolf makeup for “American Werewolf in London” for which he won his first academy award.

Above is Jack Pierce applying makeup to Boris Karloff for the 1932 iconic horror film The Mummy. As head of Universal Studios’ makeup department, Pierce created some of the most classic iconic makeup for films like Frankenstein (1931) & The Wolf Man (1941).

Artwork

There were so many artists displaying their work it was overwhelming. I met Chet Zar, the artist who is known for doing the album and video artwork for one of my favorite music bands – Tool. Lots of other artists had painted pictures inspired by Disney’s Haunted Mansion. There were so many wonderful examples of beloved horror creatures. Below is an example of one I’d love to own.

HEY DUDE! LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU!

People..people! If you didn’t go to Monsterpalooza at the Burbank Marriott Hotel this past weekend…well then sorry to say YOU MISSED OUT! There were so many cool things at this yearly event and I have so many pictures to share, I’ll have to do several posts to cover it all. Let me start by saying how great it is that you’ll find everything and anything about monsters at this convention. They had make-up artists demonstrations, FX technicians, gorgeously grotesque monster sculptures, famous movie monster replicas, Halloween masks, monster artwork, props, horror celebrities…whew! Alot to take in I can assure you. Well then lets get down to business.

Visual and Make-Up Effects

If you were a make-up effects artist, then this was the place to be. Not only did I see demonstrations from some of the top make-up artists in the field performing their monstrous transformations on human subjects, but I saw special effects god…Rick Baker! Please don’t ask who Rick Baker is…American Werewolf in London, The Howling, Thriller…ah look it up in Wikipedia. Stan Winston’s School of Character Arts was there as well as The Valek Sykes FX & Animatronic School and Gnomon School of Visual Effects.

Monster Art Sculptures

After you’ve gone to school to learn the art of monster creation, you’ve got to display your work somewhere. And the artist who displayed their imaginative horrors did a fantastic job. It really makes me wish I had that kind of talent…or patience!

The best is yet to come!

Your monthly reminder for Horror events throughout the U.S. and beyond.

• Dec 3-4 – Wizard World Atlanta – Atlanta, GA

Tonight look up to the skies and and you will behold a full moon. But beware there is always a mysterious aura that surrounds the moon. And don’t forget the old poem:

Your monthly reminder for Horror events throughout the U.S. and beyond.

• Nov 11-13 – Horrorhound Weekend – Cincinnati, OH
• Nov 11-13 – Wizard World Austin – Austin, TX