Every day is a lot like Halloween at the home and studio of Shawn Darling. A row of Darling's custom-made ghouls perch on a high shelf in his living room, which is also ornamented with webs that are far too intricate, super-sized and photogenic to have been crafted by a humble spider. Body parts are draped here and there, awaiting their close-ups.
The gore — and more — is paying off these days for Darling, a jack of many trades who handles everything from scriptwriting, directing, makeup, masks, and other special effects to music scores and performances. In an era when it can take a decade or longer to get a movie to the first stage of production, Darling hopes to have three full-length motion movies finished in as many years.
"Grave Mistake," a zombie-comedy drama, premiered in Las Cruces in May and was purchased for national distribution and is slated for Dec. 2 release at major outlets, including Blockbuster stores. "Red Sands," a movie about kids who stray from a survival camp into some very grim adventures, is currently in production and Darling is casting and gearing up for "Sablewood," the realization of a lifelong dream to do an elaborate fantasy film in the genre of "Lord of the Rings."
His former drama teacher, Dave Edwards, praised Darling's versatility. "He's a real amazing guy. He can do just about anything when it come to music, art and computer things. He's pretty phenomenal. He started his career just making little 8 mm movies. He's a very creative and talented guy," said Edwards, who has vivid memories of his former student's antics, which included rigging special effects so the arm of a co-starring student "fell off and squirted blood."
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Magic ("I was a professional magician in Las Vegas — both close work and large scale stage effects"), along with movies and music, were early interests for Darling, 38, who said he won a state fiddle championship at age 14. He also plays guitar and keyboards and, in addition to writing, scoring and performing for his movie soundtracks, he has been part of several bands, including Soulshine and The Naked Dead. "I've done several styles of music, in addition to my own music: Middle Eastern Native American, Gothic Industrial. I also run a recording studio, Gryphon's Egg Studio. We've recorded about 80 bands." His Gryphon's Egg Studio also makes commercials, shorts, and music videos.
He said he is largely self-taught. When we was about 10, he began learning about make-up and special effects by experimenting on himself. The Mayfield High School graduate attended New Mexico State University as a theater major andaccrued on-the-job training on movie crews and assorted gigs in theater and opera productions.
He has lived and worked in Arizona, El Paso and Albuquerque as well as Las Cruces and in California, where he worked on the crew of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." is eclectic skills allow him to transcend the constraints of limited budgets to manifest what's in his active imagination. I enjoyed working with big productions, but it's great to have full creative control over what I do. I've been lucky to find talented volunteers. We have lots of cookouts and things to reward people for coming out. People are really open to things here. If I can't buy or build or trade for it, usually I can find a way to do what I need with a green screen and special computer effects," Darling said.
Right now, I'm looking for artists of all kinds to make things for "Sablewood,' which will have my biggest cast ever, probably hundreds. We need people who can make armor, costumes, weapons, puppets, digital effects, leather workers, horses and swords."
Those interested in auditioning for one of his works in progress, or helping out with everything from locations to craft service (food catering) can contact him at (575) 521-9882 or e-mail gryphonsegg@hotmail.com. For updates on the state of his ongoing projects and an online store featuring his creations, including puppets, props prosthetics, music, movie CDs, music videos and more, visit his Web site at www.gryphonseggproductions.com |
