Cinefex Blog: Howard Berger is co-owner of makeup effects company KNB EFX Group, which specializes in character prosthetics, animatronics and creatures. Howard’s film credits number in the hundreds and include The Chronicles of Narnia, Kill Bill, Lone Survivor, Hitchcock, Oz the Great and Powerful and Army of Darkness.
8 comments:
I’ve been fascinated with special effects. Always have been. I also happen to be a huge C.S. Lewis fan, and of the Narnia tales. I would enjoy a conversation with Howard just about his work on the Narnia movies. Working in the tech aspect of the performing arts has slightly ruined theatre and movies for me. Because I know so much (and still learning more every day) about what happens behind the scenes both in terms of stage and for things like makeup and effects, I tend to look with a more discerning eye at stuff. I also watch older movies more than current movies because they often created effects that still can’t be explained. I honestly think that if I were not in tech/lighting/technical direction that I would probably involved in special effects and makeup. It’s a super creative way to do something, see you work in action and see how people react to all those long hours of the creative process as well as all the work that goes into making the magic happen. His advice is great, “listen more and talk less”. I should print that out and keep it as a daily reminder that I am still learning and it will continue for some time.
I just love the term “movie magicians,” I think it accurately describes just about every role anyone has in the movie industry because it always looks like magic when it’s on the screen. This interview was short but interesting, because starting in the beginning when Howard Berger was asked who his role models were growing up, he only listed off the names of men. What Howard Berger does sounds really cool, but while every other article is talking about the #metoo movement, I think even people like Howard need to understand that the opportunities he has been handed, are less likely to happen to a female in the same position as him. Therefore, he should stop saying vodka is his drink of choice and start hiring women to make that job possible for more people. This sounds a little harsh, but part of what makes this industry amazing is how we address certain issues and our claim at progressiveness, so every person needs to act on that and hold themselves to a higher standard for the people that follow in their footsteps.
First, off besides being informative about what goes into doing special effects make up for movies and TV shows, this article is highly interesting. I think its interesting looking at the make up the transformation of the krill. Probably the most intriguing part of the video when Howard Berger talks about doing over 100 of the krill masks for a show because I don’t think live theatre is ever on a scale of needing 100 of the same costumes for a performance. I think just the sheer amount of actors and things required for film amazes me. It is a great to read that Berger says there is a growth of collaboration with the special effects people and makeup effects people. Theatre and film/television is a collaborative art is good to see that this isn’t going away as more and more specialized teams get added to standard film production teams. It is interesting how Berger talks about how unqualified and inexperienced people are in his union as I have heard a similar thing about how people are getting into Actor’s Equity too easily as well.
Even though this interview is so short it gives such a fascinating look into special effects. I am always interested by people’s journeys and how they became what they are. From what I have read, The Thing was a revolutionary film and a huge turning point in practical effects. I relate to what Howard Berger is talking about because one the reasons I am drawn to tech theater is a curiosity about effects. I have also grown up absolutely loving movies and obsessing over how special effects are made. Even though some of the “magic” might be ruined I am more interested in how the trick was pulled off in the first place. Overall the advice he gives also applies to theater such as the audience reaction and “Do your best always. Listen more and talk less.” In particular, those two lines stuck with me because I relate to them. I think any technician can speak to a moment when they struggled with something, but the ultimate product and the audience’s reaction to that product makes the struggle worth it.
What a blast from the past! I was actually best friends with Howard Bergers niece in middle school. I remember being there when he was nominated for an Academy Award for the film, "Hitchcock" and I met him at my friends bat mitzvah. He's definitely a talent and I've been enamored by his work since I was young. Berger has a unique approach to his designs, he bases everything in this sense of fantastic sense of realism that makes fiction come to life. This is shown in the Narnia series' ability to make centaurs and ice queens look like the norm and when he transformed Anthony Hopkins into Alfred Hitchcock without a hitch. Special effects makeup is definitely one of the fastest growing aspects, while also being the first to go often times, with the use of computer generated images. It's amazing to see Howard Berger talk humbly about the beginnings of his career.
Learning more about Howard Berger and the world of character prosthetics, animatronics, and creatures is something I have a goal to do. I am continually fascinated by the magic they seem to create on the screen in front of me. When you watch any sort of production, especially movie or television show, the feeling of truly being in that world is based so much in the world of special effects. The patience it takes to get through a single layer of a look is incredible, and, perhaps even more impressively, is the precision with which they address each piece of their look is astounding. I really liked the part where Berger talked about the transformation in the field of special makeup effects to starting to work with the visual effects crews. I was also curious about the lack of qualification it takes to be a part of a union, which is presented as the most skilled group of people, which is not always the people who have spent the most time. Overall I really appreciated the insight into his craft, and his advice was applicable to more than just those who aspired to be in special effects.
It is always super interesting to me to read about the processes that go into practical special effects and make up. I am a huge fan of practical make up in film and TV and I think that it creates a sense of authenticity and craft that is truly magical and unmatched by CGI. I always have felt that strong emphasis on practical effects can elevate a movie's unique identity, as is showcased in films such as Star Wars and Blade Runner. I really can't praise the use of these effects enough. Reading about Howard Berger's path to becoming the masterful special effects artist he is today inspires me to keep following what interests me and to keep refining my craft further. I would love to one day work on movie effects and concept art, so seeing one man's journey there, and his amazingly beautiful work is definitely interesting and encouraging.
I love seeing articles about prosthetic special effects in a week with articles about the amount of CGI in tv shows and stunt work. So often it doesn't feel like people do prosthetics anymore for special effects. Though I have to say, pretty much all prosthetic designs have to follow the general shape of a humanoid so there isn’t as much diversity as you can get out of CGI aliens and monsters, but the humanoid aspect has been embraced by the sci-fi culture so it really works out. I am really impressed with how well they blended the prosthetic to the man’s skin. You can barely tell that there is a transition. As far as the interview, I wish they went more in depth with the questions, because a lot of them are just like easy one sentence answers or not really in depth advice. I wish they talked more about his career or enticed deeper answers, but that might just be more telling about his personality than the interview questions.
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