When I started to search about companies and people that are involved in the "Industry", I came some fabulous creations, designs and very impressive pieces of work. But one Artist really stood out.
"Waldo Mason has worked in the UK prosthetics industry for 19 years, starting out working on commercials and exhibitions before landing his first feature film job on Stephen Norrington's 1995 production of THE MUTANT CHRONICLES. Although the film never made it past the preproduction build It was a valuable introduction to many of the people that he would work with to the present day.
After successfully interviewing for EVENT HORIZON at Animated Extras he became an established freelancer within the industry, working for several years at the Jim Henson Creature Shop in London and contributing to many more TV & Film projects including SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, BAND OF BROTHERS, THE LAST SAMURAI, the HARRY POTTER series and recently worked as creature sculptor/ designer on Ridley Scott's PROMETHEUS for Neal Scanlan Studios. "
Waldo Mason, a man who's talents are so vastly shadowing his colleagues and peers in realism, that I could barely tell if I was looking at the remains of a man, on a morgues slab. I couldn't believe how realistic his works were, I still sometimes wonder if he's a serial killer and just casts his own victims for some of the shows he works on.
I started to poke around on the internet to find different things he had worked on and it has ranged from UK based TV shows to Large scaled film productions, One of his latest being "Prometheus". He had taken part in the construction of the pre-evolved "Facehugger", the "Hammerpede".
I was deeply in need of information, but could barely find anything personal about this guy, so I went straight to the source. And I got a little interview with him.
Me: What is your company's Mission Statement? or in
other words, What have you and your company set out to achieve and provide for
your client?
Waldo: Our aim is to provide the most realistic work possible within the clients budget without compromising on quality. We understand that many productions these days have to operate on less than ideal budgets so we try to give as much for their money as we can.
Waldo: Our aim is to provide the most realistic work possible within the clients budget without compromising on quality. We understand that many productions these days have to operate on less than ideal budgets so we try to give as much for their money as we can.
Me: What services do you provide for your clients?
Waldo: We provide everything from prosthetic makeups to full silicone bodies, and can be present to apply/ wrangle on set or just supply by mail order.
Waldo: We provide everything from prosthetic makeups to full silicone bodies, and can be present to apply/ wrangle on set or just supply by mail order.
Me: What methodology is used in providing your client with a product?
Waldo: The methods involved include design, lifecasting, sculpting, mouldmaking, painting, hair work and application.
Waldo: The methods involved include design, lifecasting, sculpting, mouldmaking, painting, hair work and application.
Me: Do you or your company employ others?
Waldo: We employ freelancers on a job by job basis, although we have some regulars who roll over from one job to the next. But it is generally a freelance industry.
Me: Do you work in a team or by yourself?
Waldo: It's definitely a team effort as there are several different skill sets involved. I personally can do a lot of the processes, but I don't often get time as I am busy with the running of the company at large. This puts me in the painful (as I do still enjoy doing the work myself) position of having to hand over some lovely hands on jobs to someone else to do for me!
Waldo: It's definitely a team effort as there are several different skill sets involved. I personally can do a lot of the processes, but I don't often get time as I am busy with the running of the company at large. This puts me in the painful (as I do still enjoy doing the work myself) position of having to hand over some lovely hands on jobs to someone else to do for me!
Me: Who are your Clientele?
Waldo: Our clientele consist mainly of film & TV production companies and makeup artists, many of whom use us regularly after past successful collaborations. It is much less stressful for them to use someone that they have had good experiences with previously and can trust to come in on time and on budget. We occasionally provide work for theatrical productions but these clients are much fewer and further between.
Waldo: Our clientele consist mainly of film & TV production companies and makeup artists, many of whom use us regularly after past successful collaborations. It is much less stressful for them to use someone that they have had good experiences with previously and can trust to come in on time and on budget. We occasionally provide work for theatrical productions but these clients are much fewer and further between.
Me: What is your filmography?
Waldo: My IMDB listing is up to date, with the exception of the new Frankenstein movie for Fox, for which we are, along with another FX company, presently providing some effects.
Me: What makes you and your company unique?
Waldo: I would hope that our eye for producing work that is some of the most realistic available in the industry puts us ahead of our competition!
Me: What are the reasons for your location?
Waldo: For one, the workshop is 1 mile away from my house (!) but mainly because of our proximity to the two main motorway routes into London, to Heathrow airport (20 minutes) and to Pinewood and Shepperton studios (10 minutes & 25 minutes respectively).
Since my encounter with Waldo's work, I have been keeping an eye on his upcoming featuring work through his twitter and "News" tab on his site.
31.5.13
BYZANTIUM is out in the UK today, with carnage courtesy of WMFX. Watch the trailer:
28.10.13
Today sees the start of series 2 of RIPPER STREET, episodes 1 &2 of which feature Joseph Merrick (AKA The Elephant Man) played by Joseph Drake wearing a prosthetic makeup by Waldo Mason Effects:
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