The Shadow Creature film was a great opportunity for anyone fond of movie effects. With an open script and a modest budget, it gave me the chance to do some of those cheap and cool effects using easy to find items. The script was broken down, crew members hired and fired, and designs finalized.

Only after things started rolling it was apparent that the  film needed the title creature's costume. The production company had purchased a few pieces somewhere and the stuff  arrived virtually unshootable.

Chapparrel Pictures turned to Lyonshel Studio and I got busy with the clay, while the crew readied the designs.

We pumped 8 gallons of  blood for this film, slit throats, popped out eyes and  intestines and burned corpses.

 Although shot as completely serious as a 50's drive-in movie could be, the film shows quite well as a spoofy comedy with unintentional laughs and over the top performances.  It was indeed the time of my life and that exciting thirst  (felt  first as a little kid watching  all the classic monster movies) was finally quenched.  There is nothing like walking into a Blockbuster and seeing your Creature between The Sentinal and the Shining.

Back to the Studio