Rick Baker / Cinovation Studios
May 18, 2007
We recently had the opportunity to talk with Rick Baker at his studio. Rick is an eight time Academy Award winner for Special Make Up FX. His resume extends from An American Werewolf In London, Planet Of The Apes, The Nutty Professor, Men In Black, and the list goes on. We arrived at Cinovation Studios and met with Ricks studio manager Brian who gave us a tour of the facility. The Studio is filled with artifacts from the films he’s worked on, with different work spaces from paint and sculpture areas, to casting and makeup rooms. One room is lined with casts of the actors he’s worked with, from Nicholson to Murphy. When Rick arrived he lead us into the trophy room were his prized creations are on display. This is where it all came together for us, from seeing the work space(s) to viewing the final products up close. Mighty Joe Young was sitting, all 15 to 20 feet of him, There were set scenes with characters from Men In Black and and a life size Ed Wood that looked like he would move at any second. When asked about some of his favorite characters and designs, in the back of the room surrounded by Planet Of The Apes was “Harry” from Harry and The Hendersons. Rick won the Academy Award in 1987 for Harry’s design and says it’s always been one of his favorite characters. It was inspiring for our crew to have had the opportunity to sit and talk with someone who gives so much to the movie industry. Thanks Rick!!!