Films lovers around the world weep as special effects
and make-up legend Rick Baker announces that he will be leaving the industry he
helped mold.
The influential guru revealed during a radio interview
to KPCC that after decades of work the current business environment is one of
the reasons he is leaving.
I said the time is
right, I am 64 years old, and the business is crazy right now. I like to
do things right, and they wanted cheap and fast. That is not what I want to do,
so I just decided it is basically time to get out.
Baker also pointed
out that more and more studios opt to go the cheaper route by using CGI or
digital alteration, and when speaking about his last film, Maleficent, the
artist said that he "could have done it in a garage basically."
Though some old-school
artist tend to blame CGI for the lack of work, the fact is that either computer
generated or practical, the special and make-up effects industry is going
through a rough period with many issues eating away at its stability and sustainability.
Some point the finger at tax rebates offered by other countries or regions, while
others look at the fixed-bid system, where VFX companies base their bid for a
job on the number of shots the project will have, unfortunately this doesn't contemplate
additional shots and hours, which go unpaid.
Regardless, whether it is with his work on Michael Jackson's Thriller, the iconic werewolf transformation in An American Werewolf in London, his seven Oscar wins, or other accolades, Baker's work is a cornerstone in both film and TV history.
As part of the
retirement plan, Baker will be auctioning over 400 of his creations including the
Harry suit from Harry and the Hendersons, and Grinch's Santa costume from the
2001 live action adaptation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Source - EW
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