HALLOWEEN 2018 Makeup/FX Designer Christopher Nelson Tells Us What He’s Most Proud Of

Despite those who claimed it simply couldn’t be done, Blumhouse and Universal made 1980s horror icon Michael Myers relevant again—and scary enough to thrill 21st Century genre fans. Sure, you can’t please all the people all the time, but Halloween 2018 was a record-breaking success becoming the most lucrative slasher film of all time.

There were many components that made Halloween 2018 a hit, like brilliant directing by David Gordon Green, a throbbing soundtrack from original Halloween mastermind John Carpenter, and the return of the OG Scream Queen, Jamie Lee Curtis reprising the role of Laurie Strode. Still, all of these hot ingredients were bolstered by incredible makeup and special effects work, and for that we can thank designer Christopher Nelson.

You might not know his name, but you know his work. He’s contributed to some of today’s most celebrated genre films and TV shows, but he’s also successful in other genres. In fact, Nelson’s skills seem to have no bounds. Still, his first love and main squeeze when it comes to his job remains horror. If you missed Halloween when it was in theaters, you’ll be able to pick it up on Blu-ray/DVD tomorrow.

Dread Central was lucky enough to sit down with Nelson where we hit on a variety of topics, paying special attention to Halloween. Find out what aspect of the film he’s most proud of in the interview below.

Synopsis:
It’s been 40 years since Laurie Strode survived a vicious attack from crazed killer Michael Myers on Halloween night. Locked up in an institution, Myers manages to escape when his bus transfer goes horribly wrong. Laurie now faces a terrifying showdown when the masked madman returns to Haddonfield, Ill. — but this time, she’s ready for him.

Dread Central: How did you get your start in makeup and special effects?

Christopher Nelson: That’s a really long story that will bore the hell out of you. [Laughs] I just started doing it when I was a little kid at about 6 or 7-years-old, watching horror and sci-fi movies and being a huge fan of Lon Chaney and Dick Smith as all makeup effects guys are. I started messing with household stuff, you know, playing tricks on people. From there I graduated to greasepaint and doing KISS makeups and London After Midnight makeups. I graduated from that to doing professional stuff and just constantly being obsessed with it and being a complete nerd in my bedroom listening to heavy metal music. I moved to Los Angeles from Pittsburg when I was 15 or 16 and just started knocking on people’s doors, meeting effects makeup guys, and getting odd jobs in the industry. I spent my time paying attention and learning, asking for what I want and—here I am! I can’t believe it!

DC: You already mentioned Lon Chaney and Dick Smith. Who are some other effects artists, films, or actors who inspired you and nurtured your love of horror?

CN: Yeah, Rick Baker…I mean the list goes on and on. There are just so many films and people who have inspired and influenced me. As far as actors go, Gary Oldman really inspires me because he loves makeup.

DC: Your IMDB filmography is impressive, making it clear that you’re an artist with extremely versatile talents; you’ve worked in ever genre, on major films and independent films. So, how does horror compare to other genres?

CN: All film is storytelling and that’s the way I look at any genre. It’s all storytelling aimed at eliciting different feelings and certain responses. Of course, I lean towards horror because it’s such an extreme way of storytelling and it makes me feel at home. It’s just something I love even though I love all films across the board. Horror gests a bad rap and is considered lowbrow, but over the years we’ve been able to pull it out of the basement, so to speak, and give it the respect it deserves. I think I’ve always approached horror in this way: It’s a viable method of story telling and I love it. As far as comparing all genres, I’ve never been one to do that. It’s all just different methods of storytelling. I love horror and I’m always thrilled to work on horror movies because I always feel like I’m at home. It’s like comfort food.

DC: You haven’t just worked on a few horror movies, you’ve hit on just about every related subgenre! Some of my favorites are Return of the Living Dead 3, Ghost Ship, Identity, The Walking Dead, Halloween, Constantine, and Hostel. So, I guess my question is: Do you have a favorite subgenre of horror? Like, would you rather work on a slasher movie or a ghost movie or a zombie movie?

CN: Again, I can’t pinpoint one. I do get excited about slasher movies, I really do. I love ghost stories, and I really love films like Jacob’s Ladder, which I don’t think we get enough of. Psychological horror: As a fan that’s what I enjoy watching most. So, I’d love to do something like Jacob’s Ladder or Hereditary. Psychology fascinates me. If I wasn’t an effects guy, I’d probably be a psychologist. The human condition and the way people think fascinates me and always has. But I do love a good slasher film, I really do. I’m just now getting started on a project that’s kind of a combo ghost-slasher. I can’t tell you what it is, but I’m super excited.

DC: We need more supernatural slasher movies, so definitely keep us in the loop!

CN: Yeah, hell yeah. I also love monster stuff and sci-fi. I wish I could have worked on John Carpenter’s The Thing or An American Werewolf in London. They just don’t make movies like that anymore, but I wish they did, becasue I’d be all in!

DC: Halloween had a smaller budget than many of the films you’ve worked on. Did you feel constrained by the resources available to you? Was there anything you would have liked to have done but couldn’t?

CN: Yeah, I mean, you always have grand ideas when you’re thinking outside the box and trying to do things a little different. Those things take time and money and both of those were limited for this production. But no, I never felt restrained. I went in there, first and foremost, with passion and excitement as a huge Halloween fan. We were ready to make stuff happen, no matter how much money we had. We were going to make it work! The excitement was too palpable to get concerned about money. Also, we knew the way we were approaching it was going to create a better film. In order to make it work everyone, collaboratively across the board, had to approach it with passion and figure it out. That always makes it better. That’s the beauty of working on with smaller budget film. You’re always approaching it from a place of love. So I didn’t feel restrained at all

DC: Loved the decapitated head carved into a jack o lantern. What aspect of your work on Halloween are you most proud of?

CN: The Michael Myers mask, absolutely. I was really happy with it. I know fans went back and forth about it; I got a lot of hate mail about it, but I also got a lot of love mail about it.  But the fact that it elicited such a strong response really says something. I was super proud. Were there things I would have done differently? For sure. I love the jack o head too, and that was David Gordon Green’s idea. I had an amazing crew and we all had a great time with that. And now, it’s turned into something people love so much that it’s an accessory in the action figure. That’s always the coolest for me: To make something that the rest of the world can enjoy at home. Whether it’s a Myers mask or a prop or accessory or a toy, that’s the best feeling because you know you’re making a ton of people happy every day.

DC: You’re definitely making a ton of people happy. Anything else you’d like to tell our readers about Halloween before I let you go?

CN: I just hope people enjoy Halloween and take it for what it is. Sit back, have some popcorn, and approach it as another chapter in a story that people love so much. Maybe, you know, be happy its back and that it is what it is and, hopefully, we’ll do more. It’s all about being a fan, being passionate, and making people happy. And I hope that my little contributions do something to bring people happiness.

DC: I’ll only correct you on one small detail: Your contributions were not little. Your contributions are amazing!

Share: 
Tags:

Categorized:

Sign up for The Harbinger a Dread Central Newsletter