Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Tucker.
Todd, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in Northern California as an only child. I was a huge fan of horror/fantasy films. I started collecting monster masks and creepy puppets. It wasn’t long before I started making these things in my garage and became the weird kid in the neighborhood. Towards the end of high school, I started learning how to apply special effects makeup and began to build a portfolio of my work. In early 1990, I moved to Los Angeles and started working at a top special effects makeup company.
I was part of the Special FX Makeup Team on films such as Hook, Dracula, Pirates of the Caribbean, Smurf’s 1 and 2, GI.JOE Retaliation, and Ouija Origins of Evil.
I am currently one of the owners and President of Illusion Industries Inc., a high-end special effects makeup company working on studio films and television shows.
We are also creating our own content. I recently directed and produced a feature Horror/Dark fantasy film called “The Terror Of Hollows Eve.”
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Anything worthwhile, is never a smooth road. The entertainment industry is no exception and is filled with interesting unknowns and challenges. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people that would rather see you fail than succeed. It is sometimes extremely difficult to navigate through the politics.
I started off as a Special Effects Makeup Artist, then became a SAG actor /puppeteer/creature performer, and finally a writer/producer /director. I have been fortunate to be able to do all these different things in my career. Having the right team of people around you is the true key to success.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Illusion Industries Inc. is owned by myself and my business partner Ron Halvas. The Company has two functions, we design and create special effects makeup for films and television. We are also a production company where we write and produce our own film and television content.
Whether we are building a creature for a film, or making our own movie, I am always proud of the high-level quality and originality that my company is known for in this industry. What sets us apart from others is simply the authentic ongoing passion for what we do.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up as only child with way too much time on my hands, I spent all my weekends either watching monster movies at my local theater or making weird creatures in my garage. I was a bit of an introvert and didn’t really have a lot of friends. Let’s just say I had a lot of time to work on my artistic craft.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2911 Winona Ave., Burbank, CA 91504
- Website: www.illusionindustries.com
- Phone: 818-565-5986
- Email: terror@illusionindustries.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IllusionIndustriesInc/
- Twitter: @illusionindinc
Image Credit:
Ellie Heagney
Justin M. Lubin
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
Popular
-
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
-
Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
-
What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
-
What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
-
If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
-
What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
