Welcome to my blog. Although I wear many creative hats - writer, photographer, sculptor, musician - I'm primarily known for Special Makeup Effects. I've been in this crazy business of film for 37 years. I've done every type of makeup, from beauty to animatronics. I've worked with countless actors, directors and makeup artists. I've seen just about every type of situation on a film set that you can imagine - from the absurd to the tragic, from the terrifying to the unbelievable. I've sweated in the 120 degree heat of White Sands, New Mexico and frozen my tail off on the ice glaciers of British Columbia.
I was fortunate to get into the business of makeup effects when it was just being born in the early 1980s. It was not easy by virtue of the fact that I had only one contact in Hollywood and I was, like many, quite naive about the movie industry in general. At the same time breaking in wasn't that difficult either, in that new ground was being broken in makeup and special makeup effects and as a result there were many eager 'monster kids' like me coming aboard for the ride. There were plenty of monster movies being made, and plenty of people to do the work. It was impossible to do one small film job and not make five or ten contacts. I made friends with cinematographers, art directors, gaffers and PAs. And usually on each project, I met at least one other makeup effects hopeful. Within two years, I probably knew every person who was making their way into this new field. It was a fun ride and the 80s was truly the Golden Age of makeup effects. I had incredible experiences, and was rewarded with meeting some wonderful people and working on some amazing films.
When I look back at that period from 1980 to the mid-90s, I realize it was a slice of Hollywood history that was truly magical. My friends who were there will know exactly what I mean. But like many such periods in a person's life, while you're in the midst of living it, you often don't see how fantastically cool it is at the time.
Mark
PS - I'll also be posting a lot of stuff on Twitter: @TheMarkShostromThere will be my photos, film history photos, articles about makeup effects, filmmaking, film noir, Universal monsters, cinematography, and black-and-white photography.
Note: If you're looking for my special makeup effects web site, go here: http://markshostrom.com/ (and be sure to check out The Reel).
NOTE: All photos on this blog site are copyright Mark Shostrom unless otherwise credited.
PHOTOS TOP OF PAGE, l-R: MONSTERS!, DEEPSTAR SIX, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS, FROM BEYOND, EVIL DEAD II.
