Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The gesture is everything." — Basil Gogo (as quoted by Shane Morton)
"Because I believe that creative people basically have an antenna that goes up that grabs out of the same ether that everybody knows." — Shane Morton
"When you overwork your piece so much and you lose the soul of the art, right? So who's a better sculptor, Rodan, early in art or DaVinci or Michelangelo, right? Like somebody does something really tight or something that like a Frank Frizzetta painting where you can tell he's slashed at it while he painted it." — Shane Morton
The podcast features Shane Morton, a special effects artist known for his work on projects like Mandy and the iconic Cheddar Goblin. Morton details the genesis of Cheddar Goblin, explaining the directorial intent to create a gross-out puppet that could "fit in" with the style of films like Ghoulies, but with a unique purple hue derived from color theory. He recounts the practical challenges of filming the scene, including the less-than-ideal sensory experience of the "macaroni and cheese" projectile. The conversation then shifts to the broader landscape of special effects, contrasting the tangible, "gestural" quality of practical effects with the often sterile nature of CGI. Morton argues that while technology advances, the artist's hand and unique vision are what truly make a piece timeless, referencing Ray Harryhausen and classic monster films as enduring examples.
The discussion expands to the mainstreaming of conspiracy theories and their subsequent dilution in popular media, with references to David Icke and the "hollow earth" concept appearing in blockbuster films. Morton also touches on the challenges of independent filmmaking versus studio productions, citing Rob Zombie's experience with Halloween II and the artistic compromises often demanded by a committee-driven system. The episode highlights the impact of technology on filmmaking, noting how even groundbreaking CGI from earlier eras can now appear dated, much like early video games. Despite this, the conversation circles back to the passion for practical effects and the enduring appeal of classic horror archetypes.
The latter part of the episode explores director Shane Morton's experiences filming in Austria for a "horror western," emphasizing the cultural differences and creative negotiations involved in blending genres. Morton articulates the importance of visual language in horror, drawing parallels to classic films and advocating for a strong "gesture" in the artwork, which he believes is lost with overworking or relying solely on CGI. He reflects on the difficulty of creating new iconic horror characters and praises films like Shin Godzilla and Psycho Gorman for their distinct artistic visions. The episode concludes with advice for aspiring special effects artists, urging them to study the fundamentals and practice drawing and sculpting.