Tom Sullivan discussed his work on the Evil Dead franchise and Cthulhu mythos illustrations, including the creation of iconic props and monster designs. He shared insights into his creative process and career journey, emphasizing the importance of persistence, continuous learning, and collaboration in the film industry. Thomas also reflected on his personal experiences, including challenges with mental health and artwork theft, while expressing appreciation for the impact of his work on fans and the broader artistic community.
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Evil Dead and Cthulhu Illustrations
Tom Sullivan discusses his work on the Evil Dead franchise and Cthulhu mythos illustrations. He explains how he created the Book of the Dead prop for Evil Dead, adding illustrations to enhance its value on screen. Sullivan also talks about his contributions to Chaosium's Call of Cthulhu game, including designing many of the iconic monster illustrations. He describes his creative process, emphasizing the importance of making illustrations that tell a story and immediately grab the viewer's attention. Sullivan mentions his pride in various projects, including the Book of the Dead and the Field Guide to Cthulhu Monsters.
Prop Creation Discussion
Tom discusses the creation of the props for "The Evil Dead" film. He describes using latex to create a face on the cover, inspired by Ilse Koch's use of human skin for household items. Tom added details like bones and a blood-puking dagger to enhance the prop's effectiveness. He explains how he brought additional ideas to the set, such as a bleeding stump for a decapitation scene, which were incorporated into the film. Tom and Bruce discuss the creative process of borrowing ideas from other films and making them unique. They also touch on the use of practical effects in filmmaking, including the "Who's laughing now?" scene in "Evil Dead 2". The conversation concludes with a brief discussion on the evolution of CGI in movies and its impact on storytelling and special effects.
CGI Evolution and Future Possibilities
Tom discusses the evolution of CGI in movies, from basic geometric shapes in "The Last Starfighter" to more advanced effects in films like "The Abyss" and "Jurassic Park." He speculates about the future possibility of using CGI to bring deceased actors back to the screen in new movies, with proper approval from their estates. Tom then explains the "volume stage" technology used in productions like "The Mandalorian," which allows for real-time, high-definition backgrounds and interactive lighting, significantly improving the filming process and actor performances. Bruce compares this technology to a step towards a Star Trek-like holodeck.
Path to Special Effects Success
Tom discusses his passion for special effects and filmmaking, tracing it back to seeing King Kong at age 5. He emphasizes the importance of developing skills through practice and networking, particularly at conventions where artists can get feedback and advice. Tom advises aspiring creatives to build a strong portfolio, be prepared, collaborate well, and maintain a professional attitude. He stresses the value of being adaptable, removing ego from the creative process, and making oneself valuable to potential employers or collaborators.
Art, Persistence, and Copyright Challenges
Tom discusses his passion for movies and storytelling, mentioning his extensive collection of films and his recent viewing of "The Adam Project." He then reflects on his journey as an artist, explaining that it took him about 15 years of practice before he felt confident enough to sell his artwork. Tom emphasizes the importance of persistence and continuous learning, sharing how he used to study art books extensively. He mentions having boxes of unseen Lovecraft art and storyboards, and considers publishing them himself in the future. Tom also expresses frustration with the widespread theft of artists' work in the digital age, discussing the challenges of protecting copyrights and the discouraging nature of pursuing legal action against infringers.
Preserving Film History and Artistry
Tom discusses his experience selling props from the Evil Dead films through an auction at the Prop Store in Valencia, California. He expresses admiration for the Prop Store staff's passion for movie memorabilia and highlights the importance of preserving and properly valuing film artifacts. Tom then criticizes how some studios and corporations have historically mistreated artists, citing examples of comic book creators and special effects pioneers who were not adequately compensated or recognized for their work.
Overcoming Loss and Creative Struggles
Tom shares personal experiences that have impacted his mental health and artistic career. He recounts the tragic loss of his wife Penny, who drowned in 1987, and how it affected his creativity. Tom also describes his father's lack of understanding and support for his artistic pursuits, which was emotionally devastating. He expresses frustration with artwork theft and the cruelty of the internet, leading to periods of disillusionment with the industry and humanity in general. Despite these challenges, Tom has recently started creating artwork again, though he acknowledges the ongoing struggle to stay motivated in the face of adversity.
Tom' Creative Influence and Journey
Tom recounts his experiences at conventions, particularly Cinema Wasteland, where he has been a regular guest since its inception. He shares stories of meeting fans who have been inspired by his work on Evil Dead to pursue careers in art and special effects. Tom expresses joy in seeing how his creativity has influenced others, comparing it to the passing on of creative energy from artists like Willis O'Brien. He also discusses a car accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury and PTSD, which has affected his emotional responses to movies and conversations about films.
Tom's Journey in Storytelling
Tom discusses his career journey, which includes acting in movies, theatre, and conventions, as well as his current focus on writing. He has written several scripts and is working on his third revision of a novel. Tom emphasizes the importance of storytelling and its power to shape perceptions, citing the example of how the movie Bambi changed public attitudes towards animals. He describes his current writing projects, including a book featuring a character with special abilities who takes on powerful entities, and another about overthrowing fascist governments. Bruce expresses interest in Tom's work and draws parallels between Tom's writing and his personal experiences.
Tom at Cinema Wasteland Convention
Tom discusses his upcoming appearance at Cinema Wasteland, a horror film convention in Strongsville, Ohio, in early October. He praises the intimate atmosphere of the event, which allows for meaningful interactions between guests and attendees. Tom also mentions his recent return to conventions after avoiding them during the COVID-19 pandemic, and shares his experience of selling prints and meeting fans at a recent screening of Evil Dead. He concludes by encouraging people to pursue their passions, whether in the arts or other fields, and expresses appreciation for the level of celebrity he has achieved, which allows him to interact with fans at conventions in a comfortable and meaningful way.
Three Stooges: A Legacy Remembered
Tom shares a heartwarming story about Sam Raimi and Scott Spiegel's interaction with Larry Fine of the Three Stooges. As teenagers, they orchestrated a fake news report of Larry's death, which led to an outpouring of fan mail for the aging star in his final months. Tom also discusses the influence of the Three Stooges on Raimi's work, particularly in the Evil Dead series, and emphasizes the importance of appreciating artists while they're still alive.
For more on Tom:
Tom’s website
Tom’s IMdB entry
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