MICHAEL JONESSpecial FX Artist, Actor of Mental Scars movie from Viper Productions
Published by: n/a
Date: 5/9/2009
Interviewed by: Richard Vasseur
Section: Interviews
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How did you get into the film industry?
Michael: I have been writing about the industry for over 10 years. There were numerous websites over the years, but the one I wrote the most for, Horror-Zone, sadly no longer exists. I did DVD reviews, interviews and the (D)editorials. I also wrote for several magazines, including Dark Disc, Wicked Karnival, and GoreZone. GoreZone was the most fun for the longest time because I was the only American writer for a European magazine. I now write for G.A.S.P. Magazine and ShriekFreak Quarterly. I am also getting ready to be the head writer for DeadZone Magazine, which will be the first horror magazine on the new IPhone OS.
I got my first break in film after attending the Frightmare Haunted House in Raleigh, NC. I met the owner, Ed Warner, and he told me about a zombie movie being filmed called The Forever Dead in Sanford, NC. I was only going out there to cover the movie for an article, but I brought my Make-Up FX kit to help with make-up if they needed it. Not only did I write the article, but I wound up having a role as a camp leader telling the story of the hook!
I got my throat bitten out and became a zombie. I helped with the make-up a bit and thought that was the end. As it would turn out, I got a call a couple of days later after one of the other FX guys quit and was asked if I would help do the rest of the movie. I agreed, and not only did I do the FX with Bill Mulligan, but I acted and wound up being a producer as well!
After the movie was done, I helped a bit with the PR and the film was picked up for distribution by Brain Damage Films!
Richard: Did you attend any school for training in FX?
Michael: No, I never attended any time of schooling for FX. I am self taught. I grew up watching the 70’s and 80’s horror films, and when I could, I would pick up Fangoria Magazine and read about how it was all done. Once the internet hit, I would spend time online reading everything I could about horror films and Special FX.
Once DVD hit, I would watch all of the special features on the DVD’s and I would just experiment on my own. I do not discourage anyone from going to school, but I do not think it is an absolute to make it in the business.
Richard: What do you think of the final product of "Mental Scars"?
Michael: I am very happy with the end result of Mental Scars. People don’t realize what an undertaking it is to make a film. Mischa and Richard had a great story, and for two guys that never went to any kind of film school, they turned out a great product. Shooting on 35mm is a very intimidating experience, and they pulled it off nicely! I think people are going to love it!
Richard: What do the letters FX stands for?
Michael: FX stands for Special Effects. FX is just simply an abbreviation of the word.
Richard: What is involved in doing the make-up in "Mental Scars"?
Michael: Innovation and thinking on your feet! I was the FX supervisor and was not able to be there from the beginning. I had discussed how certain FX should be tackled with Mischa and Richard, and they had an artist in Indianapolis do the FX there. I was able to join them in Atlanta and took over from there.
The locations added a bit of difficulty as well. Shooting in a junkyard was not fun or easy for them, and shooting in a field with a bunch of horses running around was tough as well. Night time shoots can get cold and make-up sometimes does not respond well in the cold. Other than that, lots of latex and blood went into the movie, and I think for the most part, we pulled off what we were trying to accomplish!
Richard: What did you enjoy most about working on this film?
Michael: This was my first film in over a year, so it was nice to get back in the saddle. But what I enjoyed the most was seeing Richard and Mischa getting their dream out there. These guys really busted their asses to make this happen, so I was very happy to see them get their vision out.
Richard: How did you meet Richard Myles?
Michael: I met Richard at the Frightmare Haunted House in Raleigh, NC. He and Mischa were there with Viper Productions where Richard was playing Freddy for the Haunted House. I did his make-up every night, and from there we became friends. They told me about some projects they had in mind, including an idea that became Mental Scars. We have been friends for over 3 years now, and the sky is the limit!
Richard: What was your acting role in "Mental Scars"?
Michael: Near the end of the movie, I play some crazy guy that kills five Native Americans in about a 30 second span. When we got to Atlanta, Mischa approached me about the role, and I agreed to do it. It actually allowed me to pull of a couple of FX that had to be ad-libbed at the last second!
Richard: What was your part in the making of "Z13: The Zombie Within"?
Michael: I was the Special FX artist for the film. I brought along Bill Mulligan, whom I had worked with on The Forever Dead. I met Blake Faucette and Voltron Jones through a mutual friend of ours, Matt Pennachi at the Carolina Theatre during the ’06 Nevermore Film Festival. Blake needed someone to do FX make-up on a bunch of zombies, and I couldn’t say no!
Richard: What are the Deditorials?
Michael: The Deditorials are a series of articles that I have written and continue to write about the horror industry. I have covered topics like CGI, a horror hall of fame, retailers banning movies, the branding of films and so on. When DeadZone Magazine hits, the Deditorials will be returning.
Richard: What future projects do you have?
Michael: Hard to say at this point. I will be doing a lot of writing for DeadZone Magazine and hopefully for G.A.S.P. and ShriekFreak Magazine. I know that Mischa and Richard want to do at least 2 sequels to Mental Scars, and I am on board for that. Blake Faucette has two projects that have horror themes involved, and I have been asked to do those. Another buddy of mine, Aaron Harvey, whom I worked with on The Evil Woods, also has two horror projects on the back burner. Rob Avery of World Parody Productions, has asked me to come to Ohio and do a small bit in Slashers Gone Wild 2.
I will do my own horror film in the future. I have a script for a zombie movie, so I want to shoot that within the next two years. I hope to film it in NC and SC, so we will see what happens with that. I will always be involved in horror, so stay tuned…
Richard: Who are some of your favorite movie monsters?
Michael: Wow! Jason from Friday the 13th, Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Bub the Zombie from Day of the Dead, The Candyman, Pinhead from Hellraiser and the Leprechaun. I would be remiss if I didn’t say David Taggart from Mental Scars!
Richard: How can someone contact you?
Michael: There are a couple of different ways. My website is You are not allowed to view links.
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and I can be reached through there. I can also be emailed at
slitofthewristfx@yahoo.com . I am open to working on any film as long as it is horror and have no problem traveling. Contact me if you have any needs!
Richard: Any words for fans of this film?
Michael: Don’t look down at a film if it does not come out of Hollywood! There is so much good horror out there that the average person never hears about. Support independent film as well. This is where the new Craven’s, Carpenter’s, Argento’s and Fulci’s are going to come from! If you get a chance to work on a film, do it. It is an experience you will never forget and nobody can ever take it away from you!
REST IN PEACE!
"Because I am the Dedman, and you're not!"
Michael Jones
