Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Corbin
Eric, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been a huge movie nerd. Sci-fi and horror films were some of my favorites as far back as I can remember. I always wanted to be involved in film but had no idea how I would be able to do it. During the covid quarantine in late 2020, I was stuck at home and decided to try my hand at paper mache sculpture. I created a small series of these paper mache pieces, then started working with clay to increase the quality of my art. I soon found myself learning more and more from special effects professionals through books, video, private classes, and just watching my favorite movie clips frame by frame to understand certain effects. It’s safe to say I became obsessed and realized this was the route I’ve been wanting to take my entire life. I was working on many wearable latex mask designs for a while, but for the past year I’ve been practicing the art of puppetry and creating my own short films involving my hand made work. I’ve also been creating pieces for other people’s films ever since I started. The first film I ever worked on was Harmony Korine’s Aggro Dr1ft which featured 4 copies of one of my original mask designs throughout the film. I really want to give some credit to my friends Kosta & Louie who own the clothing brand FELT as well, they’ve hired me left and right for jobs, put my name into rooms, encouraged me to take risks, and just generally showed me so much love, I wouldn’t be where I am without their help. I’m still very far from where I would like to be, but I’m taking small steps and becoming the artist I would ultimately like to be. I think becoming more of a film director is the next natural step. Once I’m finished up with some effects work I’m currently doing, I’m jumping right back into my short films, I have several that are almost ready to release.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say the biggest struggle is money. It always seems to be money. All the materials I work with are expensive and the processes are very time consuming. Time is also money. There’s never an unlimited effects budget. Even on really big productions, they barely offer you anything and expect the work in the snap of a finger. Most people don’t realize I have to painstakingly create these items with my bare hands, so people’s unrealistic expectations and lack of understanding of the process can be a bit tricky sometimes too. Nothing comes easy, especially not creating beautiful creatures for film. If I didn’t love it, I would stop doing it though.
Please somebody!! Give me a really big special effects budget for your next film.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I really have a deep love for the sculpting process involved in making all these creatures. I can get carried away for hours on end just in my room rewatching old movies and playing with clay. I take the most pride in this step. Painting the finished rubber monsters is also a lot of fun but I’m not the greatest painter as compared to my sculpting I’d say. I’ve made tons of pieces that I’m very proud of but I fall in love with almost everything I make. I recently made some parrot puppets for a feature film called “The Old Man & the Parrot” and I think those parrots are some of my best work yet. I never thought I’d be working with so many feathers. I think my passion for all this stuff is what really sets me apart from others who do this. I sleep, breathe, and live movies and monsters. You can ask anyone that knows me, this is no shtick… I really have a deep love for what I do and am constantly working to get better. It’s not about money for me, if it was I would have had to quit already. Also nobody else in South Florida is really making puppets that I know of… at least not like my puppets.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I can work under pressure, I can make stuff fast, and I can work on a tight budget. I also have a good attitude that makes other people happy to work with me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @corbins.creatures
- Youtube: @corbin_films
Image Credits
All images owned by Eric Corbin
