MastersFX, one of the entertainment and media industry’s leading FX shops, has named Mark Ballou to the post of Effects Coordinator, it was announced by Todd Masters, founder of MastersFX. MastersFX specializes in prosthetic, animatronic, and makeup character effects for major studio and independent feature films, as well as for network and cable television shows, telefilms and commercials.
In his new post, Ballou will work closely with Mr. Masters and Effects Producer Dan Rebert on the development and creation of makeup and character effects for various film and television projects. Presently, Ballou is working on such projects as HBO’s “True Blood,” and recently completed FX work on 20th Century Fox’s upcoming film “The Day the Earth Stood Still” and New Line’s “The New Daughter.”
ABOUT MARK BALLOU:
Prior to joining MastersFX, Mark Ballou worked as a Set Coordinator and Fabricator for KNB EFX Group on such high profile films as “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” and its sequel, “Prince Caspian.” With Christian Tinisley’s Tinsley Transfers, Ballou coordinated for the film “I Am Legend” and worked as a Fabricator and Technician on “No Country for Old Men.” Earlier, Ballou was employed by David Anderson’s AFX Studio and Steve Johson’s Edge FX.
Ballou has concurrently supported the FX Industry as an IT Consultant additionally working with such companies as Creature Effects and Tatopoulos Studios. With an extensive acting background in feature films and television, Ballou also continues to work as a voice-over artist.
ABOUT MASTERSFX:
Founded in 1987 by Emmy Award winner Todd Masters, MastersFX is a full-service Character Effects company headquartered in Arleta, CA, with an additional studio in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The company has designed, created and produced prosthetics, animatronics, and makeup effects for hundreds of motion pictures, television programs, and commercials. Upcoming projects from MastersFX include “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “The New Daughter,” “Sanctuary,” HBO’s “True Blood,” and “The Haunting in Connecticut,” which join on-going company TV projects “Stargate: Atlantis,” “Dexter,” and “Eureka.”
Among the company’s previous credits are character effects contributions to “Star Trek: First Contact,” “Tales from the Crypt,” “Nightmare on Elm Street 5,” “The Horse Whisperer,” “Slither,” “Snakes on a Plane,” “Predator,” “Poltergeist II,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Look Who’s Talking,” “Mortal Kombat,” “Carnivale,” “Stargate,” and many more.
MastersFX designed, created and produced prosthetics and makeup effects for all five seasons of the hit HBO series “Six Feet Under.” Todd Masters won an Emmy Award in 2003 for the 2001/2002 Season of “Six Feet Under” in the category, “Best Special Effects Makeup.” MastersFX is also the winner of the 2006 “Saturn Award” for “Best MakeUp FX” for its work on the film “Slither.”
MastersFX’s Arelta, CA office can be contacted by phone at 818/834-3000. Their website is www.mastersfx.com
Contact:Dan Harary Asbury Communications PR 310/859-1831 dan@asburypr.com
“Ǝvolution” Comes Full Circle At The Chelsea Film Festival
The Chelsea Film Festival, running from October 16th through October 20th, 2024, at Regal Cinemas here in Union Square, is set to host the East Coast premiere of Ǝvolution, a thought-provoking experimental micro-short film that proves big ideas can come in small packages and in perfect circles.
In just 1 minute 16 seconds, this cinematic gem by Award-Winning Director Romina Schwedler, with original music by Argentine Composer Ignacio Montoya Carlotto, explores a cycle as old as time: life leads to progress, progress leads to destruction, and destruction, well, leads back to life. But is this vicious circle unbreakable? Ǝvolution suggests the answer is yes, unless we decide to open our eyes.
Inspired by the overwhelming number of recent events that threaten human existence, Ǝvolution, possibly the shortest film in this 12th edition of the festival, plays out entirely through the symbolism of circles, cleverly illustrating —in the blink of an eye— the repeating patterns of history, and confronting viewers with the uncomfortable truth that our so-called “progress” may, in fact, be guiding us to our own ruin.Premiering at the Regal 14 Union Square, New York City, on October 18, 2024, at 11 a.m., Romina Schwedler's micro-short, featuring Leah Young with cinematography by Alan J. Carmona, will be sure to spark conversations longer than the film itself! Forcing viewers to reconsider the true meaning of evolution, not just as a biological process, but as a reflection of our collective journey as humans.
With a string of festival appearances across the globe, including CineGlobe at CERN (Switzerland/France), Oscar®... Read More