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Master of disguise
Dab hand: Todd Tucker deftly renders the villainous Zartan on actor Arnold Vosloo in G
Dab hand: Todd Tucker deftly renders the villainous Zartan on actor Arnold Vosloo in G.I. Joe: Retaliation.
As Hollywood's most in-demand prosthetic makeup artist, Todd Tucker reveals fresh and often startling new faces in his daily work. As he says, every day is Halloween for him.
Tucker's sleight of hand has included creating an aged 'baby' Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), transforming African-American actors into white women in White Chicks (2004) and applying Johnny Depp's iconic eyeliner and dreadlocks in Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). Recently, he morphed comedic actor Hank Azaria into the sideburn-sporting cartoon villain Gargamel from the 1980s' The Smurfs animated TV series for The Smurfs 2 big screen release.
Now heading his own special effects makeup company, Illusion Industries, Tucker and team work their magic to create animatronics (remote-controlled robotic puppets), prosthetic makeup and specialty costumes for high-profile vehicles including this year's G.I. Joe: Retaliation and The Iceman (The Dyatlov Pass Incident, released in Asia earlier this year, recently premiered in the US retitled Devil's Pass).
In light of shrinking film budgets and production times and the advent of sophisticated cameras capable of highlighting the tiniest flaws, Tucker, who is in his late 30s and also directed the 2010 limited release movie Monster Mutt, says the stakes for perfection are higher than ever.
You once said that as an only child you would spend every weekend at the movie theater. Which films inspired you to become a prosthetic makeup artist?
I was a film fan at age three when I first saw The Wizard of Oz. I loved movies like Star Wars, Jaws and Halloween. I realized my passion as an artist and started making masks, puppets and makeup in my garage. After a few years of practice I put together a portfolio of my best work, moved to Los Angeles and started working. My two friends, Matt Rose and Steve Wang were instrumental in helping me get into the industry [Tucker secured his first job in special effects at Cannom Creations through a referral].
How did you create Gargamel's look for The Smurfs 2?
We designed and created [Hank Azaria's] look for The Smurfs, but for The Smurfs 2 we had to re-sculpt the nose appliance and make it a little smaller to compensate for a slightly thinner Hank. It's always interesting when you are asked to create realistic makeup that is based on a cartoon character. The makeup consists of a prosthetic nose, ears, teeth, eyebrows and a wig.
How have the increased use of computer graphics (CG) and digital effects in film changed the way you work?
Illusion Industries creates a lot of character and old-age makeup, which still works better as practical prosthetic makeup on actors. Many times we will meet with the CG department in the pre-production of a film to map out which effects would be digital or practical or a combination of both.
Does knowing what goes on behind-the-scenes ruin it for you when you watch a film with a lot of special effects?
There are two ways for me to watch a film: Just sit back and enjoy the experience or watch every scene and try to figure out how all aspects were achieved ' basically dissect it shot by shot.
You acted in several productions such as the hit TV series Charmed (1998-2006) that required you to wear full creature makeup. How has being an actor made you a better prosthetic makeup artist?
[Having] worn some extreme makeup and creature suits makes it easy for me to know how to help my actors get through the process while applying their makeup ' and help them get through the day.
Have you ever worked with an actor whom you feel wasn't able to emote the character you had created?
Luckily, most of the actors I've worked with have embraced the makeup and used it to help them find their character. When you are in prosthetic makeup it definitely transforms your personality.
If you had 15 minutes to disguise a fugitive on the run ' male or female ' how would you go about it?
I would put them in a subtle fat suit, fake nose, fake teeth, wig and glasses. The trick would be to make them not stand out.
Do you most enjoy rendering comedic characters like Gargamel, gory monster makeup like in The Exorcism of Emily Rose or simply transforming an actor like in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button?
I enjoy doing the character makeup like Gargamel, mainly because it's fun to design the specific look and the makeup application has to be extremely clean. It's a challenge, but also a lot of fun.
Are there any downsides to your job?
Extremely long hours and a lot of time away from home. Fortunately, I'm doing something I love to do.
What is the most common 'outsider' question people ask when you tell them you're a prosthetic makeup artist?
What do you do for Halloween? My answer: every day is Halloween for me.
' Photos: Courtesy of Anderson Group Public Relations
