We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brent Marr a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Brent , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Originally, I just wanted a Sleestak mask for a dumb Halloween idea. When I couldn’t find one commercially, I asked myself, how hard could it be to just make one?

I watched enough of the TV show “Face Off” to know I had to make a sculpture and a mold, but little else. I had played with modeling clay as a child but really had only made childish things. I didn’t know if I could actually sculpt, but I bought some clay and an armature head and began.

I was pleased enough by my work to continue making the mold and set out to learn how… through many hours of YouTube videos and some experienced help from local friends and Facebook connections, I built a mold and cast a mask in slip latex… it came out so AWESOME! From there Portland Sleestak took on a life of its own…

Through a lot of trial and error, YouTube and video chats, I began to build a body for my Sleestak mask. I really had no choice in the matter. The first Sleestak suit I built was extremely difficult to wear. The eyes were made of clear plastic Christmas ornaments sprayed with a tint, rendering me nearly blind and the suit I thought I was building to be durable, was stiff and unforgiving.

One would have thought I’d have quit there, but I told myself that if I found a good source for eyes I could actually see through, I would build another. Sure enough I found a company that makes sun roof and security camera domes that are perfect for my needs so I took what I learned from the first suit and started suit number 2. This time sculpting the entire 7 foot creature from head to toes. Since then Portland Sleestak has become a bit of a local celebrity and I’m about to begin construction on suit #4 and 5.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m from Spokane Washington… I always thought that monster building was only for people in Hollywood, I certainly wish I had taken the initiative to begin this journey 30 years ago. If I had, I’d probably be in Hollywood making monsters for the movies. But at now 56 I’m content to spread Joy around Portland as a local public figure and Filmmaker. I also hire myself out for private events and donate my time to a local charity here and there. The initial plan was to make video of the Sleestak scaring random Portlanders like the famous Scary Snowman of YouTube. But it soon became apparent that Sleestak isn’t scary. In fact. People light up like Christmas when they see me, and rush over to get a selfie with me. Even kids are by and large, curious and inquisitive and generally will try to talk to me and ask questions… maybe not as eager to get too close but still, unafraid. Meltdowns are more rare than you might think but they do happen. A couple of years ago I put a shootout on Facebook looking to use the costume for local film projects and was quickly contacted by a production company to make a commercial for them called the “Sleestak Cop and the Baby full of Money”. That’s where the filmmaking bug bit me and I’ve appeared in several local film projects and even produced my own short film called “Sleestak’s Big Adventure” a 12 minute tribute to the Keep Portland Weird initiative and to the late Paul Rubens. I’m hoping to eventually create a series of videos called Sleestak’s Big Adventures to continue the fun. You can find both these and other projects I’m involved in on my YouTube channel also titled Portland Sleestak. As far as I know, I’m the only person regularly cosplaying as a Sleestak… a bit of history of the Sleestak… A Sleestak is an anthropomorphic reptilian insect-like Creature that is the main adversary on the Sid and Marty Kroffts iconic Television show called the Land of the Lost. It ran from 1974-1976 for three seasons on Saturday morning. And as a typical 6 year old it had it all despite the limited budget. Dinosaurs and space weirdness and relatable characters. Clearly it made an impression.

Since building the suit, I’ve become friends with some of the actors from the show and the producers have even reached out on Facebook to thank me for “Keeping the Sleestak Legend alive.” There was a sort of reboot of the show on Nickelodeon in the early 90s and Will Farrell made a parody movie in 2009 but none have remained as iconic as the original Sid and Marty Krofft show.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

This one is easy… As I stated before, whenever I make a public appearance in the costume. People my age who remember the show revert to the little kids that watched it and others, even if they don’t recognize the character light up like a carnival when they see me and are giddy and happy as they pose for selfies… it a sure fire cure for a bad day.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I have a day job as a Maintenance worker for a property management company. Obviously I can’t be out in the costume every day so as I grew a collection of photos I began making sill photoshops and pasted myself into a vast array of places and situations… this has become a large part of my exposure and has netted me the attention of the Original producers of the show and the friendships I have forged with the cast members Wesley Eure, Kathy Coleman, and Philip Paley.

It wasn’t long however, before I began interacting with my fans and followers. We share stories and memories, and interact in the comments on my terrible photoshops. And many have also submitted thier own photoshops with me in them. It’s really become the joy of my day. So really, that’s the crux of it… personal interaction with followers and belonging to Facebook groups where similar interests are shared. You never know when a particular picture goes viral and suddenly you have 1000’s more followers than yesterday…

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portlandsleestak?igsh=MXJycXBrYXVrMWd3MQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/baY1tCvjc3ZDD5c4/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@portlandsleestak?si=GqLsMdfiuK4GROHZ

Image Credits

Photo by Jeph Flariity