Posts tagged sullivan

We already talked about Mark Sullivan, remember, the incredible matte painting of the tree for “Hook”. He is one of my favourite matte painter. He started working in traditional way, and evolved through the digital technique. His work is really inspiring. His credits include Indiana Jones and the last Crusade, The Abyss, Backdraft, Hook, Star Wars episode 1 and 2, Apocalypto…

He took time to answer my questionnaire. Thank you so much !

- First, I’d like to ask you how you discovered matte painting, and what did decide you to become a matte artist.

Nothing unique in my case, just becoming aware and intrigued by effects work by seeing movies like the 1933 “King Kong”. There wasn’t very much to read and learn about matte paintings, or film effects work when I was growing up, but I think that actually made it seem more exotic and rarified, and because of that, more interesting.

- What is the best souvenir you have about your career, the matte you’re the most proud of ?

That’s kind of tough to answer, because being so close to something allows you to see the flaws you hope others may not notice, and it’s hard to be non subjective. One particular shot I recall, though, is a shot of some kids looking out of a tent at night in a suburban backyard setting. I worked on with the Chiodo Brothers for their short film, “Cousin Kevin”, in 1985. I’ve always liked that one, it was shot in 16mm as an original negative composite. Really, the best part of my past experiences has got to be the people I’ve worked with, met, or become friends with. Getting to work as an assistant to Jim Danforth in the early 1980s was an incredible opportunity and learning experience. Later, I was able to work with some great people like David Stipes, Bob Bailey, Harry Walton, Steve, Charley and Edward Chiodo.  I was very fortunate to get to work with Rocco Gioffre at a (now defunct) film effects company called DreamQuest, for a few years. Another fond memory is visiting the Universal matte department, in the mid 1980s. Syd Dutton very graciously spent an afternoon showing Rooco Gioffre and I all of the fantastic work he and Albert Whitlock had created there for many years. That was inspiring.

Here is a digital matte from “Apocalypto”. Sky, far horizon and some of the pyramids were painted in.
The effects in the movie were supervised by Ted Rae. I painted on this shot for Rocco Gioffre’s company.

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