Tom Sullivan: Diving into the Last Ghost Story with Evil Dead’s Makeup Master Mind. By Brian Kirst
Tom Sullivan is probably best known for his fun and organic effects work for the Evil Dead films. (With his designs for the Book of the Dead seemingly coming straight from the haunted forest itself.) After working behind the scenes of the big budget The Fly II and on other assorted projects, the versatile Sullivan has been recently creeping to the other side of the camera appearing as an actor in projects like the well-reviewed slasher-comedy Splatter Movie and the upcoming independent horror flick Dog. While prepping for his first directing experience with The Last Ghost Story (which he also scripted), Sullivan recently took a moment to answer some tongue-torn-out-of-cheek questions for Horror Society.
Brian: So, what’s worse in your world – a tussle with a tree demon from the Book of the Dead (open wide!) or a genetic disorder that turns you into a giant, jellified fly?
Tom: The Fly thing is pretty hopeless. In taking on the Book of the Dead even a goofus like Ash can survive. A clever scientist like Seth Brundle wasn’t so lucky.
Brian: Yeah, it sure sucks to be Jeff Goldblum! – So, what was the coolest effects trick that you discovered during your Evil Dead association?
Tom: Doing the split screen shots for the finale of Evil Dead. Bart Pierce and I had differing views on how to approach it. We both love stop motion and I was pushing for that but Bart thought the tide had turned on stop motion. Dick Smith, Rick Baker and Rob Bottin had brought us into the bladder, cables and other techniques to create real world FX. – During our first meeting, a trip up to an Evil Dead location we got into an argument about which way to go. Stop motion or live action. We arrived at the location and Sam asked us if we talked about the finale sequence and we both blew up. Suddenly I had the idea of doing split screens (in camera), combining stop motion clay animation and live action bile and hair falling off the full sized puppets. From then on Bart and I had the time of our lives creating the sequence. That was the best collaboration I have had in film.
Brian: Awesome! Were the skills you gained working Raimi-style a help to you in your Hollywood work on The Fly 2 or did you have learn a whole new ballgame?
Tom: It was a whole new ballgame. Evil Dead was Summer Camp. The Fly 2 was in the Industry. I had to up my whole game. I started doing Fly concepts with a bunch of talented artists who had also worked on ILM films as well. From there I went on to sculpting and mold making. I learned a lot.
Brian: Cool. So, when is your most creative time – at 3 in the morning after a couple bowls of ice cream and a dozen Land of the Giants repeats?
Tom: I don’t think straight until Noon. I’ve been a Nite Owl since I was a toddler. I invented my own hot fudge sauce for my midnight ice cream. I call it Molten Fudge. It’s beyond hot.
Brian: And here I was thinking that only Margaret Hamilton had a good reason for shouting, “I’m melting”! – Were you always interested in an acting career or is it something that you just kind of stumbled over like a drunk in the street?
Tom: I was never interested in a career. I took on a bunch of interests to develop my skills as an Uber Director. The art and special effects are essential to the modern director. Lucas and Spielberg have to hire armies of artists and designers for the process of bringing their ideas to reality. I can do a lot of that before anyone sees a thing. I have those decisions made and realized by myself instead of being translated. The acting thing is important so I can communicate with my actors.
Brian: Smart. As for acting, yourself, what was the most interesting thing about your experience on Splatter Movie?
Tom: Working with Amy Lynn Best and Mike Watt. These are two talented film makers with a lot of guts. Buckets of them. I’ve seen em.
Brian: Well, it was nice of them to share! – Lastly, any words of advice (IE: Never work on an Eric Stoltz movie unless its one where he turns into gooey mass murderer) or future projects that you’d like to tell us about? And thanks – this has been more enjoyable than a date in the forest with Ellen Sandweiss any night of the week!
Tom: If you are ever lucky enough to work with Eric Stoltz take it no matter what the project. I wish I had been on location to meet him. I like Fly 2 a lot. Chris Walas did a fine job on the directing. I’d like to see him do more. – As far as advice. Joseph Campbell, (no relation to Bruce) said it best, “Follow your Bliss”. Do what you love, the Universe will respond. Sometimes with cash. I am currently in preproduction of my script, The Last Ghost Story. I will be directing. The Universe is responding.
Brian: And everyone else can respond, too, by checking out your awesome, art filled website – www.darkageproductions.com. Thanks again for your time, Tom.
