Roy Knyrim

Roy Knyrim
Born
Roy Knyrim

1966 or 1967 (age 57–58)
Hilton, New York
NationalityAmerican
EducationHilton High School
Occupations
  • Film director
  • special effects makeup artist

Roy Knyrim (born 1966/1967) is an American film director and special effects makeup artist. He directed Demons at the Door (2004), Cemetery Gates (2006), Night Skies (2007), and Death Racers (2008).[1] His credits as a special effects and makeup artist include the fourth, fifth, and sixth films in the Children of the Corn film series, as well as A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989), Gods and Monsters (1998), 2001 Maniacs (2005), and Death House (2017). He also provided miniature models for such films as The Abyss (1989), Tremors, Darkman (both 1990), and Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991).

Knyrim heads the special effects workshop SOTA FX (State of the Art Effects).[2]

Early life and education

Knyrim was born in Hilton, New York.[3] He began creating special makeup and creature effects in his second grade of elementary school, and filmed them using super 8 film.[4] He has stated, "Mostly I did those in my basement. Friday the 13th was a big influence, but I made up my own stuff. They were a lot of slash, a lot of splat. A couple of them were pretty good – but most of them were garbage. I was in a hurry to do them and get them developed so I could look at them and show them."[4] Knyrim graduated from Hilton High School in 1985.[3]

Career

Knyrim's early credits as an effects artist include the Troma Entertainment films The Toxic Avenger Part II and The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie, both released in 1989.[3][5]

After moving to southern California, Knyrim, along with Jerry Macaluso and Patrick Tantalo, founded the special effects workshop and production company SOTA FX (State of the Art Effects).[2][6][7] With SOTA FX, Knyrim has provided special effects makeup on a number of films, including the 1998 film Gods and Monsters, as well as the television series Weird Science.[8]

Knyrim directed the 2004 direct-to-video horror film Demons at the Door, which features music by the American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse.[9] According to Fangoria, by May 2006, during the production of the Knyrim-directed horror film Cemetery Gates, he had "a slew of Insane Clown Posse videos under his belt".[10] Following the release of Cemetery Gates later that year, Knyrim went on to direct the 2007 science-fiction horror film Night Skies[11] and the 2008 action film Death Racers, the latter of which features Insane Clown Posse in acting roles.[1][3] Knyrim is co-directing the upcoming horror comedy film Sorority of the Damned alongside Joe Davison, who will also star in the film.[12]

Selected filmography

Film

As director/writer

Year Title Director Writer Notes Ref(s)
2004 Demons at the Door Yes Direct-to-video film [1]
2006 Cemetery Gates Yes [13]
2007 Night Skies Yes [11]
2008 Death Racers Yes Co-writer Direct-to-video film; co-wrote story with Patrick Tantalo [1][3]
TBA Sorority of the Damned Co-director Co-directing with Joe Davison [12]

As special and visual effects/makeup artist

Year Title Credited as Notes Ref(s)
1988 Slugs First assistant special effects [3]
1989 The Toxic Avenger Part II Key gore effects artist [3][14]
1989 Society Additional makeup effects
1989 The Abyss Additional model maker (Los Angeles surface unit)
1989 A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child Special makeup effects artist
1989 The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie Key gore effects artist [3][5]
1989 Psycho Cop Effects makeup team
1990 Tremors Model builder (basement scene)
1990 Darkman Model builder
1991 Steel and Lace Makeup effects designer [15]
1991 Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare Model builder (Freddy's house)
1991 Karate Cop Special makeup effects artist Direct-to-video film
1992 Auntie Lee's Meat Pies Key makeup effects [16]
1994 Dinosaur Island Fabricator (cave creature)
1994 Mirror, Mirror II: Raven Dance Special makeup and creature effects
1995 Fist of the North Star Visual effects supervisor/special makeup effects
1995 Howling: New Moon Rising Makeup effects designer (SOTA FX) Direct-to-video film [17]
1996 Amityville Dollhouse Special makeup effects Direct-to-video film
1996 Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering Special effects makeup (Josiah's makeup) Direct-to-video film
1996 Uncle Sam Special makeup effects supervisor (SOTA FX) [12]
1997 Leave It to Beaver Beaver stunt dummy fabricator
1998 Gods and Monsters Makeup effects supervisor [18][19]
1998 Modern Vampires Makeup effects supervisor/special makeup effects artist Also known as Revenant [20]
1998 Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror Makeup effects supervisor
1999 Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies Special makeup effects Direct-to-video film
1999 Children of the Corn 666: Isaac's Return Special makeup effects (SOTA FX) Direct-to-video film
2000 G-Men from Hell Special makeup effects artist
2001 Wishmaster 3: Beyond the Gates of Hell Special makeup effects artist
2002 Wishmaster: The Prophecy Fulfilled Special makeup effects supervisor
2005 2001 Maniacs Special effects supervisor [12]
2005 Urban Legends: Bloody Mary Special effects makeup Direct-to-video film
2006 Trapped Ashes Makeup and creature effects (Japan and Vancouver)
2008 Starship Troopers 3: Marauder Special effects supervisor Direct-to-video film
2009 Forget Me Not Special makeup effects [21]
2011 Super Shark Special effects makeup
2012 2-Headed Shark Attack Practical shark supervisor
2012 The Ghastly Love of Johnny X Special effects supervisor
2013 Big Ass Spider! Makeup effects designer
2015 Tales of Halloween Assistant makeup artist/makeup designer and supervisor [12]
2015 Sinister 2 Makeup designer (SOTA FX) [12]
2016 Range 15 Special makeup effects designer
2017 XX Special makeup effects artist Segment: "Her Only Living Son"
2017 Mohawk Special effects makeup
2017 Death House Special effects makeup [22]
2020 Breach Makeup effects designer Also known as Anti-Life
2021 Willy's Wonderland Makeup effects designer and supervisor [23]

Television

Year Title Credited as Notes Ref(s)
1996 Humanoids from the Deep Makeup effects supervisor Television film [24]
1998 Halloweentown Makeup effects designer Television film
2001 Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge Creature and makeup effects designer (SOTA FX) Television film
2004 Halloweentown High Makeup effects designer Television film
2005 Snakeman Makeup effects designer Television film
2006 Return to Halloweentown Makeup effects designer Television film

Music videos

References

  1. ^ a b c d Foy, Scott (May 2, 2008). "ICP Races to The Asylum". Dread Central. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Carnell, Thom (2011). The Carpe Noctem Interviews - Volume 2. Crossroad Press. ASIN B005QBF5AS.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h McLendon 2008.
  4. ^ a b Fine, Marshall (August 7, 1985). "Hoping to rise to the head of his class". The Journal News. White Plains, New York. p. C6. Retrieved October 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b Stine 2003, p. 297.
  6. ^ McLendon 2008: "After relocating to southern California, Tantalo, along with Jerry Macaluso, founded SOTA F/X, a production company."
  7. ^ Fischer 1998, p. 49: "Explained Roy Knyrim, who co-founded SOTA with Gary Macalusa [sic] [...]"
  8. ^ Fischer 1998, p. 49.
  9. ^ Smith, Matt (April 15, 2018). "Who Goes There Podcast: Ep 159 – Demons at the Door". Dread Central. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  10. ^ Shapiro 2006, p. 75.
  11. ^ a b Lambie, Ryan (March 31, 2016). "The best and worst alien abduction movies". Den of Geek. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Gingold, Michael (October 6, 2020). "Exclusive News and Poster: Creature Effects Veterans Open Up the "Sorority of the Damned"". Rue Morgue. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  13. ^ Shapiro 2006, p. 74–75.
  14. ^ Stine 2003, p. 296.
  15. ^ Squires, John (November 25, 2021). "Vinegar Syndrome Celebrates Black Friday With Secret Title Reveals and 50% Off Most Releases!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  16. ^ Corey, Joe (September 16, 2021). "Blu-ray Review: Auntie Lee's Meat Pies". InsidePulse. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  17. ^ Jones, Stephen (2000). The Essential Monster Movie Guide: A Century of Creature Features on Film, TV, and Video. Billboard Books. p. 189. ISBN 978-0823079360.
  18. ^ "Gods and Monsters Makeup". Cinefantastique. Vol. 30. 1998. p. 49. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  19. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 24, 2014). "'Friday The 13th' Scares Up Hourlong Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  20. ^ Browning, John Edgar; Picart, Caroline Joan (2010). Dracula in Visual Media: Film, Television, Comic Book and Electronic Game Appearances, 1921–2010. McFarland & Company. p. 123. ISBN 978-0786433650.
  21. ^ Barton, Steve (October 23, 2009). "Dread Central at the Forget Me Not Premiere". Dread Central. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  22. ^ Barkan, Jonathan (August 18, 2016). "'Death House' Poster Boasts Its Horror Roster". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  23. ^ Michaels, Ken (February 15, 2021). "Movie Review: Sadly, It's a Surprise-Free "Willy's Wonderland"". Rue Morgue. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  24. ^ Shapiro 2006, p. 76.
  25. ^ Holslin, Peter (January 27, 2015). "Rap Duo Twiztid Get a Creepy New Look from Face Off Makeup Artist Greg Lightner". LA Weekly. Retrieved November 2, 2022.

Bibliography