TomSavini

Tom Savini. The name alone starts the blood pumping back through my veins again! He started doing make-up effects on a number of
low-budget films, but now this renaissance man can do it all! Actor, make-up and special effects genius, film director, stuntman, teacher, author...
the list of his acheivements could go on forever. Tom Savini's full list of skills will never be known however... because he destroyed the list with a
machete!

This is the mind behind the most memorable zombies, vampires, and blood splattered scenes of all time. Tom Savini has been working with
George A. Romero for decades creating zombies and acting in almost every "Dead" film. Be sure to listen for him in the just released "Diary of
the Dead". Between the acting, the make-up effects and the directing, he has been involved in more horror films than anyone I have ever heard
of! Needless to say, your girl Rosie is more than a little star-struck!
I had the great pleasure of interviewing this living legend recently, and today I share my experience with all of you!

So on with the interview...

Rosie:
Obviously one of the most ground-breaking moments in zombie cinema would have to be the creation of a realistic bite. Can you tell me a little
bit about how you created the first mold for a zombie bite mark? Did everything fall into place easily or did it take a few tries?

Savini:
No, it worked the first time. I cast the actor's shoulder and made a foam latex piece the zombie could bite into, and filled the area with blood
tubing and when he bit I pumped the blood out and it was the first effect on the movie and the crew applauded.

Rosie:
Since your start in zombie making, how have new advancements in make-up effects changed the ability to create zombies?

Savini:
Sure, the new contact lenses, the silicone appliances, and CGI make zombies a whole new playing field.

Rosie:
In your opinion, how are the advancements in CGI going to change the way we will see zombies in the future?

Savini:
You will see zombies with half their heads gone, or big holes in them or missing limbs.....I hope.

Rosie:
When did you first meet Mr. Romero? How did that first conversation go?

Savini:
I met him when I was a sophmore in high school. He had auditioins and cast me in a film that never got made. We got along right from the start.

Rosie:
You have been apart of every "Dead" movie since "Dawn of the Dead", will we be seeing you in "Diary of the Dead"?

Savini:
No, but you will be hearing me in Diary of the Dead. I am a voice over.

Rosie:
"Blades", the machete zombie, is the most well known zombie in film history, how do you feel about creating such a memorable and often
immitated character?

Savini:
It always feels good to be recognized as an icon in the horror film world.

Rosie:
What were you like as a child? Were you learning and practicing make-up techniques back then?

Savini:
I would make myself up when I was learning and caused much pain to to my face losing eyebrows and such, then I realized I could make up my
friends so that's what I did. Their parents weren't too crazy to have their children come home disfigured or their throats cut, or there faces made
ugly so they sometimes weren't allowed to play with me. Others loved it.