Creaturegeek

Frank and Len are back! On this first episode back in over a year, Frank and Len catch up about what's been happening since the end of days. We discuss Frank's gig as a Mon Calamari, dance around some of cool stuff Frank has been working on and basically compliment how good each other look. It's good to be back!  Enjoy!

Frank and Len creep ever so closer to show 100. On show 98, the first episode of 2020, we welcome Jeff Jingle. Jeff is a freelance writer/director and Animatronic FX Designer who has worked for Rick Baker's Cinovation, Henson Studio, Steve Johnson's XFX, Legacy FX among many others. Jeff talks about getting the movie  he co-wrote 10 Minutes Gone starring Bruce Willis and Michael Chiklis and how it's a little miracle just to get it produced. Thanks for listening!

Frank and Len return after an extended hiatus for a new show!  We talk about Frank's busy schedule, what has happened since we last recorded and all kinds of interesting tidbits about social media and working for a large scale project.  It's always interesting and we're glad to be back! Thanks for listening!

On Episode 96 of Creaturegeek, Frank and Len welcome Miles Teves and Everett Burrell who created the VFX for Netflix's smash hit The Umbrella Academy. Hear all about the creation of Pogo (which was helped brought to life by Frank and his shop Thingery) and the amazing wizardry that fleshed out this amazing character. It's a must listen for anyone interested in the behind the scenes of making an big budget Netflix show.

On this 95th episode of CreatureGeek, Frank and Len welcome FX Industry Veteran and incredible character and caricature artist Mark Tavares.  Mark has worked at many notable shops including Rick Lazzarini's Character Shop, KNB FX and Don Post Studios.  His artwork is now on display in Altadena, CA in an exhibition based around Rod Serling's Night Gallery.  It's a great listen and thank you for your continued support!

Frank and Len welcome the amazing Jamie Kelman.  Jamie has been part of the  FX industry for nearly 30 years and has worked on a bunch of shows including the critically acclaimed movie "Vice" where he transformed Sam Rockwell into Former President George W. Bush. There are a TON of great stories in this episode so don't miss a second. Thanks for your continued support!

On this episode (our last of 2018), Frank and Len welcome back the incredible Mark Viniello.  Mark is currently working on a ton of NDA stuff, but he's still able to talk about some of incredible stuff he's worked on in his illustrious career. We cover a lot of ground in this episode and it's always great to hear Mark's stories. Thank you for listening and thank you for your continued support!

Frank and Len welcome back George Frangadakis of Immortal Masks! George discusses getting through the growing pains of running an exploding FX business. What to do.  What not to do.  And everything in between. It's fascinating listening!  Thank you for your support!

Frank and Len return for a new show! One this episode, Frank dovetails off our discussion about how to get a job and talks about what to do when you have the job.  What are the do's and dont's of working for an FX Shop?  What should you be thinking about during and after your stint at a shop like Thingery?  This is important info, folks!  Don't go looking for a gig without listening to this episode!

On this *new* episode of CreatureGeek (recorded in July), Frank and Len discuss how to apply for a job in the FX industry. This is really important information, folks.  So please take notes.  Your next job may rely on it!

It's a solocast with Frank and Len!  On this episode, we chat about Frank's upcoming guest judge stint on the new season of BattleBots on Discovery.  We talk about how Thingergy is helping out with Pixelogic and Magic Wheelchair at San Diego Comic Con.  We spoil Avengers: Infinity War and Deadpool 2.  And Frank does his best to answer questions from a young listener to help his AP English Project. It's great fun!

On this episode, we welcome Chat Zar - a sculptor, creature designer and fine artist who is known for his dark, visual style. His unique take on art and design has landed him work on such projects as Terminator Salvation, Hellboy, Men in Black 2 and Planet of the Apes, just to name a few. And like us here at Creaturegeek, he hosts a podcast called the Dark Art Society. He also runs a Patreon for his artwork - just search Chet Zar over at Patreon.

Today's guest is one of our favorite guests ever on CreatureGeek, Steve Johnson. Steve's resume is an amazing laundry list of some of the best and most iconic shows ever created. He's also one of the most outspoken people in the visual effects industry. Steve has just launched a new Kickstarter for Volume 2 of his memoirs entitled Rubberhead: Sex Drugs and Special FX. And for the first time ever, we are doing a CreatureGeek AMA (Ask Me Anything) based on questions that you've asked over the past few weeks. It's an amazing episode that you can't get anywhere else! Enjoy!

Today's guest joins the second timer club here on Creaturegeek. Neill Gorton is a BAFTA winning legend in the makeup industry, bringing his unique talent to such shows as Ex Machina, Thor, Red Dwarf, Judge Dredd and Doctor Who - just to name a few. In addition to all this awesomeness, he is the publisher of Prostethics Magazine, one of the best resources for high level special effects info today.

This episode's guest was the winner of the ninth season of FaceOff - Nora Hewitt. Since then, Norahas lent her talent to a ton of NDA projects we can't talk about happening at Thingery as well as indie flicks Mail Order Monster and Blood on the Leaves. She's also a graduate of the Tom Savini Special Effects Makeup Program in Pittsburgh, PA. And she's also involved in a lot of other stuff that I'm sure we've missed. 

On this episode of CreatureGeek, we talk to makeup/special effects artist Bart Mixon.  Bart has worked on pretty much everything for the past 25 years including Men In Black, Fight Night Part Two, Pet Sematary and one of Len's all-time favorite films of all time, Wes Anderson's Rushmore. His current credits include Avengers Infinity War, Bright and Star Trek Discovery. But he is best known, however, for his iconic Pennywise the Clown makeup on Tim Curry from the 1990 miniseries, IT.

On this episode, we welcome Abby Smith, Steven Saunders, Joaquin Loyzaga and Chris Menges of WETA Workshops in New Zealand. They join us hot off the heels of a big win at the 16th Annual VES Awards (the Visual Effects Society). Their model work for Blade runner 2049 won them the award for Outstanding Created Environment in a Photoreal Feature. Their miniature work - or as some may call it - BIGature work - is a phenomenal testament to the survival of practical effects in a CGI world and the creation of hand made environments. Listen in and hear one of the most amazing stories on how on visual effects artist got his big chance to work at WETA Workshop.

On this episode, our first show of 2018 and from the brand new Thingery studios, we celebrate the seven year anniversary of the premiere of Face/Off. Special guest and Face/Off Alumni, Ben Ploughman.  We chat about memories from the show, the Oscars and how Ben got started in the biz. Don't forget subscribe to us in iTunes, follow us on Spotify and make sure you don’t miss a single episode! And of course, if you're digging the show, throw us some bucks at our Patreon page!

On this episode, Len and Frank return for a 2017 wrap up.  We discuss plans for 2018, Frank's new shop, follow-up of Frank leaving Tested, Last Jedi spoilers, what large companies could do to fan-driven fabrication and how to get our show.  Speaking of which, subscribe to us in iTunes, follow us on Spotify and make sure you don't miss a single episode!  And if you're digging this podcast, go over to our Patreon page and throw us a couple of bucks if you choose.

On this episode, Frank and Len look at the hobbyist angle of doing your own design work with our guest Tim Shea. You may recognize some of Tim's work from past Tested videos, although you would never know he is an amateur designer. Tim just wrapped up a whirlwind weekend at DesignerCon in LA and he chats all about it, as well as the Predator design, Frank's haunted apartment and more. If you're digging what you hear, please head over to http://www.patreon.com/creaturegeek and support us with a few bucks. We truly appreciate your support!