Category Archives: Monster Legacy Exclusives
Exclusive: Interview with Paul Taglianetti!
Following our brief conversations, filmmaker Paul Taglianetti agreed to do an interview with me! Paul has worked on many famous films, but of course in this interview we focus on the creature effects he collaborated on over the years.
Exclusive – Relic Kothoga pictures from Paul Taglianetti!
Exclusive: “The Mechanics of Monsters: From Carlo Rambaldi to Makinarium”
“Three years ago, when I was here for King Kong,” humbly said Carlo Rambaldi at the 1980 Academy Awards, “I don’t know English, and I said ‘Thank you’. Now I learn very well English, and I say, ‘Thank you very much!'”. Carlo Rambaldi (September 15, 1925 – August 10, 2012) was an Italian special effects artist, and in many ways, a pioneer of the craft. In his 30-year-long career, Rambaldi collaborated on a great many films, some more well-known and others more obscure, with directors such as Mario Bava, Federico Fellini, Dario Argento, Ridley Scott, and Steven Spielberg.
Exclusive: Interview with Adam Johansen
Monster Legacy had the privilege and honour to interview Adam Johansen, head of Odd Studio, about their work on Alien: Covenant. For the film, Odd Studio merged with Conor O’Sullivan’s Creatures Inc. to create a series of practical creatures that would serve both as onscreen effects and as reference for the digital effects.
Tribute to Carlo Rambaldi at the 2017 Romics
At this April’s Romics Comic Con — held as usual in Fiera di Roma — I had the great chance to attend a tribute gallery to Carlo Rambaldi, organized by his children. The exhibition was focused on Carlo’s most well known special effects work — E.T: The Extraterrestrial, Alien, and the 1976 King Kong — and featured a painted E.T. sculpture and a replica of King Kong’s hand (mechanized to grab people!), as well as several prints of photographs of Carlo’s work on said films, and of magazine pages with articles on them.
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Exclusive: Interview with Jaroslav Kosmina!
We have interviewed the author of the Kaiju size chart that has been doing the rounds on the internet lately (and which you can see above, completed)!
Monster Legacy: Let’s start with the basics: what got you into illustration?
Jaroslav Kosmina: I’ve always been a huge science fiction enthusiast, and for me, Spielberg’s Jurassic Park and Ishiro Honda’s Godzilla sort of jump-started my interest with these fictionalized beasts — ultimately becoming a strong emphasis in my works. I began coming up with alternate compositions at a very early age of specific scenes, and from there, I started branching out into other areas in the art world, in terms of subject matter and aesthetic. I’m currently completing my BFA in fine painting at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in New England. My goal is to bridge the aesthetic gap between the two art forms.
Exclusive: Interview with Douglas Tait!
Monster Legacy had the chance — and honour — to interview veteran creature actor Douglas Tait about his work on film. Read on!
Monster Legacy: A more personal question first. What Monster films inspired you to become a creature performer, and what are your favorite ‘men in suit’ Monsters?
Douglas Tait: I have to say Frankenstein is my ultimate favorite monster. When I was a kid I bought a Don Post Frankenstein mask, and I wore that thing on several occasions for Halloween. Then when I was 14 I went to Universal Studios with some friends, and I saw Frankenstein performing in a show, and it inspired me. I told myself when I am old enough I am going to get a job at Universal Studios and play Frankenstein, and I did. It was the beginning of me getting paid to entertain behind makeup and masks. The funny thing is, while I was working at Universal I was pursuing my acting career, and my first Guest-Starring role on a television show was as Frankenstein on Sabrina The Teenage Witch. I think I was so comfortable with the character that it came natural when I auditioned for the role. Frankenstein sure holds special memories for me.
Exclusive: Art of Darkness
Magazine Journalist Joe Nazzaro had composed an article regarding the design and realization of the homunculi from the 2010 remake of Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. Written for Monsterpalooza Magazine — which eventually went no further than its first issue — it was left unused. As an Exclusive to Monster Legacy, Joe Nazzaro was kind enough to pass it over and make it available here. Read on!
Art of Darkness
Troy Nixey and Guillermo del Toro
lead a team of artists on Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
By Joe Nazzaro
Monster Legacy 