DAVID MOSHER
Make-Up Effects Artist

Birthdate: March, 1969 Hometown: San Francisco, Bay Area  Website: David Mosher In work Second site: Up & Running CLICK HERE

   David Mosher was born in San Francisco

   David Mosher entered the industry of Make-up & Special Effects at the ripe age of 19. His first work was on a low-budget film titled 'The Dead Pit'. Up to that point David was self taught in his parent garage creating sculptures, fangs and masks. After meeting Effects creator Robert Short, he learned on the job and attended some make-up schools. Mr. Mosher has worked on projects such as Little Monsters; Star Trek; Starship Trooper, Deep Rising, Alien 4, and Soldier. David currently does freelance work and operates his own business D.W.M. Design. 
  David's abilities in the industry include Special Make-Up Effects, Prosthetics, Sculpting, Casting, and Props. To go along with his incredible amount of on the job training he has attended Joe Blasco Make-up Center, Dick Smith's Advanced Make-Up Course and perfected his sculpting abilities at Jordu Schell's Creature and Design classes. 

PROJECTS: Soldier, Alien 4: Ressurection, Deep Rising, Star Trek: First Contact, Starship Troopers, Hidden World and Demon in a Bottle, Toco Bell commercial - Alien Invasion, Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight, Star Trek 6, Little Monsters and others. David also created the Jack In The Box - Christmas head antenna ball. 

     Here's a bit about Mr. Mosher from the man himself... I started out as an Illustrator and Painter, drawing a lot of characters from Greek Mythology books, and also Superheroes, but I was always fascinated by Movies. The Sinbad Movies really got me interested in Creatures and Monsters. Clash of the Titans was great at the time. Star Wars was a Big influence too. I actually tried to learn to sculpt in Jr. High school (7th and 8th grades) but I really stunk at it.  I tried to make a Dragon and it looked like a Worm with a Elephant's body, so I gave-up. Later in High School I saw the "Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller", that, and movies like "Splash" (what a great looking Mermaid Tail), "The Terminator" (The Cyborg make-up and the Robot at the end), and other Films that had make-up effects by Dick Smith, Rick Baker, Rob Bottin, Kevin Yagher, & Stan Winston, really inspired me to get into the business.

So, let's get on with the interview eh. 

TB: How would you describe your occupation? 

David: Make-up Effects artist is someone who creates the Illusion of someone being something else such as a Zombie, Monster, Old person, etc, through prosthetics and other 3-Dimesnional additions like Dentures to make the actor/actress appear like a vampire, someone missing teeth, or with Buck teeth.

TB: At what age did you decided this is what you wanted to do as a career?

David: I decided in High School that's what I wanted to do as a career.

TB: Is this full time work for you?

David: Not recently. The excessive use of 3D Animation FX make-up makes film work scarce, I have other skills that keep me working. 

TB: What else do you do to earn a living?

David: I got into prop-building a number of years ago when work got slow, I also Teach Make-up Effects from time to time. I do Computer Graphics, Website Design & Flash Animation also. I also am currently making some Film-quality prop heads which I will be selling on my site later in the year. 

TB: What do you enjoy doing the most?

David: I actually enjoy it all. Working for myself is nice because of the freedom to create without limits, but it is not a luxury I have all the time. 

TB: Was it hard getting into the business?

David: Yes, it is always hard because you have to establish yourself and build a reputation, with everyone else trying to do the same thing it's not easy.

TB: What do you have to do to get on a feature project?

David: Have your parents get the job for you, Just kidding!
Usually people Contact a shop and ask if they are hiring, then they send in an updated resume and current photos of their work, the FX shops look through all those photos and hire the people they need.

TB: Is there a service you use to find out about new project? Union Hall, an Agency?

David: No I have been freelance for years, I contact different shops and if they are looking for someone with my skills I usually get work. Since I freelance with different shops I don't stay at one shop all the time, each shop, and each production has different needs. 

TB: Once you're picked up for a project what are your days like?

David: It depends on the production, sometimes it can be 24 hours straight or a regular 8 hour day. Some jobs can last three days, three months or even longer. depends on the work and the production schedule. 

TB: What is the best project you have worked on and was it your favorite?

David: Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight was one of my favorites because I really like the Cryptkeeper, which is what I worked on. Favorites were Starship Troopers, because I was able to work on some full size creatures, and Deep Rising because I really liked working at Rob Bottin's shop, he had the best Shop Crew for that Film, a lot of Talented FX artists, Sculptors, Painters, Moldmakers, & Designers. 

TB: Are there some personal rewards in this occupation?

David: I personally really enjoy seeing the work I did on screen (with the rest of the FX shop) in a movie theatre its really great seeing a Puppet, that doesn't normally do anything until the mechanics, puppeteers, and make-up people help bring it to life, then you see this living breathing thing on screen, it's very worthwhile. 

TB: What about advantages to employment in your occupation?

David: The advantages for some may be that you can take a career like this and use the skills elsewhere to get work when Film work is slow. Sculpting and making Halloween masks is what many FX artists do, while others even do Limited edition Bronzes and make extra money doing that.

TB: Disadvantages? 

David: Disadvantages would be the health hazards, many of the chemicals we use are toxic and some are extremely dangerous. If you don't use a mask, with a filter, to remove the toxic fumes it could eventually be fatal,. There was a guy years ago, I had heard about, who never used a filtered mask while doing Fiber glass work (which has toxic fumes) and he eventually died from complications from that. That's why I always use the mask even though it does get in the way, a little inconvenience is worth it. 

TB: Can you tell us about the type of money you guys earn?

David: Some shops are on a salary basis, but most do a Daily rate such as $150.00 a day, or even hourly wage like $20.00 an hour. The price usually depends on your experience and if the production can afford it. Low budget Productions sometimes only offer $15.00 per hour which is what they can afford. 

TB: Do you generally get to travel? In today's business Prague, Australia, and Canada are more desirable locations for productions, due to production encentives. Have you been to these places?

David: No, I have not traveled on any production yet, FX shops usually send their main guys to location shoots. 

TB: Most of the business seems to be dominated by men. It that true? 

David: There are more men in this job because most woman aren't into Gore, Science Fiction, & Horror Films, but there could be other reasons. There are many woman who Apply Prosthetics on set.

TB: Do you get to keep stuff from the projects you work on, or is everything taken? 

David: No, when you work at an FX shop they usually have an arrangement with the Film studios where they get to keep the props to promote their shops. I do have some props I was given while working at a Prop Replica company years ago like the Terminators Chromed head with Glowing Red lights, and a copy of the Predator Helmet (which I restored) and Base (that I sculpted & designed). 

TB: What special equipment do you use for your work. 

David: We use everything under the sun, paintbrushes, Ovens, Sculpting tools, Drills, Sanders, Balance beam scales to measure chemicals with and various tools depending on the job - whatever is needed.

TB: You told me you were working on a few projects. Can you tell us anything about them?

David: I have some prop projects I am working on as well as some sculptures, one for a mask, and another for a personal project. I will post photos on my website when they are done. 

TB: Do you have hobbies or is your hobby what you do for a living? The stuff you do, for most of us seems like what regular people try to do for fun.

David: What I do is my hobby, since I really enjoy what I do, I put a lot of time and effort into everything I do.

TB: Have you worked on a television series or telefilm? What was it, and what area did you work on?

David: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine & Voyager. I made different props for some episodes, I sculpted the Bronze Neelix Tree (Fans should know it), I also Fiber glassed some Weapons for the show. 

TB: What are some of you goals in the industry? Or is this exactly what
you want to be doing?

David: Just to continue doing FX Make-up and effects for films, and sculpt more.

TB: Thanks for the interview David.

David: Anytime.

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