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
