Frederick Fraleigh is a master of creature SFX. His credits include The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Avengers: Infinity War, Captain America: Civil War, X-Men: Apocalypse, The Cabin in the Woods, Men in Black 2 & 3, Hellboy 1 & 2, Lady in the Water, Evolution, and Bicentennial Man. His current project (alongside Re-Animator: The Musical’s Amit Itelman) is called Bride of Blood, which is currently in residence at the Titmouse Warehouse in LA. We caught up with Frederick to find out more…
STARBURST: How would you pitch Bride of Blood to a fan of the Muppets?
Frederick Fraleigh: Bride of Blood is a play that takes the audience on a journey with King Solomon through time and space. On his quest to unlock the mystery of an ancient scripture, he encounters supernatural creatures. Bride of Blood utilises costumes and puppets to bring them to its audience.
What challenges did building props for a show at the Titmouse Warehouse present?
Most of the building of props and the creature, Asmodeus, took place in my one-bedroom apartment. It was a bit of a challenge to construct such large pieces in my living room.
How different is making a show for the Hollywood Fringe from making something for a big production such as The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance?
Working on a show like Bride of Blood is very different from working on a big Hollywood production. Everything is condensed and more simplified. There are way fewer people involved and way less money. There is one creative source, which was Amit Itelman. On smaller productions on the Hollywood fringe, everything comes together, mainly due to the sacrifice and devotion of the crew.
How did Bride of Blood come about?
Amit and I have a friend in common. Our friend Jeff mentioned to me that he was building a prop for Bride of Blood and that there was much more to be made. I was intrigued and met with Amit to learn about the play and see his drawings. I took on the construction of the demon, Asmodeus. Later, I made a giant hand made of fire.
What is your all-time favourite fabrication project? How long did it take to build?
Among the many creatures, puppets, superheroes and costumes for the stage that I have made, one project stands out as my favourite. It was not for a movie or anything like that. It was for real life. I was asked to fabricate a prosthesis for a burn victim. The recipient was a young woman who had suffered a major burn in her infancy, resulting in significant tissue loss in her lower extremities. I hand-made a few sets of leggings that filled in her missing anatomy, giving her a natural, balanced physique.
What advice would you give the 16-year-old version of yourself
I would love to be able to impart some knowledge upon my 16-year-old self. I would urge him to learn as much as he can from creative people around him and not to be afraid to ask questions.
And what advice would you give a young, horror-obsessed Ray Harryhausen fan looking to get into fabrication and SFX?
I grew up watching movies that inspired me to be an artist. One thing led to another, and I went down the path which led me to my current career. For me it was The Dark Crystal, Star Wars, and all of the Ray Harryhausen movies. To be honest, getting into the special effects industry is not as easy as it used to be. There is less of a calling for creature fabrication. There is a lack of movie-making in general. I think that we can all notice the shift of the desire for physical FX to digital FX.
If you could take a single monster from the worlds of fiction and make it real, what would it be?
I love the idea of taking a monster from fiction and making it real. There are so many to choose from. If I could, though, I wouldn’t bring any of them into our reality. How would they behave, be received, and what would happen to them? As much as I would love to see Godzilla, the Rancor, Pumpkinhead, Falkor, Totoro, they are the most real and vibrant in my imagination.
What one thing makes creating easier for you?
When I am creating something, I must have an understanding of what I am doing and why I am doing it. If I am making something for myself, I need only to follow my own intuition or my gut. When I create something for someone else, I need their input and vision.
What books are you recommending to friends at the moment?
When it comes to books, my favourites are not novels. I’m talking about books that show how things are made, human anatomy, animals, nature, insects, puppets, masks, sculpting, drawing, architecture, dinosaurs, samurai armour, and so much more.
What’s next for you?
I am steadily working at Spectral Motion on multiple projects. These are for theme parks and stage performances. I can’t wait to get back to making monsters for movies again.
Dragons or Spaceships?
Dragons
Skeletons or Zombies?
Maybe dragon zombies
Doctor Who or Doctor No?
Neither
Truth or Beauty?
Truth
