Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Todd Debreceni. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Todd thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I think about this subject frequently. Every time I make a mistake, have a creative block, not be able to figure out a solution to a problem… I think some level of insecurity is the nature of being an artist, actually. Every time I walk onto a new set I feel like everyone is going to realize I’m a fraud. And then I lay down that first prosthetic edge flawlessly and the feeling goes away. But it’s always lurking in the shadows.

I’ve been doing this for so long now, I’m not sure I’m employable in a traditional 9-5 job anymore. I’ve certainly had them – suit and tie every day, corner office. As twitchy as it can be being a 1099 contract worker, not knowing where the next gig is going to come from, or when, I HATED corporate life. And even though I hated it, and still do, I still neurotically fantasize about the stability it could offer.

I can never go back. I do what I do because I can’t not do it. And truthfully, even though I am a freelancer, I haven’t had to look for work in over 20 years. There’s always work to be had. Knock on wood.

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

I have done and still do a variety of things in the creative realm professionally, but am probably best known for writing the best-selling book ‘Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen,’ and as a teacher. But, I couldn’t have written the book if I wasn’t a makeup effects artist first. I have been fascinated by the trappings of the entertainment industry since I was a child. It still makes me feel like a kid inside. But as much as I enjoyed and still enjoy the classic movie monsters, as well as more contemporary ones, it didn’t occur to me as a kid, for some reason, that I could make these things for a living. In the back of my mind, I knew that someone had to have made the creature suits, and created the iconic makeups, etc., but I don’t remember ever thinking about it, even though I had all of the Aurora plastic model kits – The Mummy, Frankenstein, Wolfman, Dracula, the Hunchback of Notre Dame… I vividly remember building them, painting them, looking at them… but at the time I just don’t remember thinking how cool it would be to be part of a team creating creatures and characters for the movies. However, I was interested in acting. I was interested in cameras. I was interested in writing (and obviously still am). I was interested in making TV shows and movies. It wasn’t until I was older that the bug hit me to do anything else in entertainment. All of my time living in Los Angeles from the early 1980s to the mid-90s was about the pursuit of film and theatre with blinders on for production only.

Fortunately, it’s all interrelated, and what is to be will be, I believe.

What sets me apart from others is perhaps the fact that I’ve worn numerous other hats in the entertainment industry. I’ve been working in the industry for 44 years. I’ve been a producer, director, art director, visual effects animator, production designer, cinematographer, actor, and writer. Because of that, I know what is required in each of those positions so can communicate effectively with different departments on any given project.

My company, BaPoFX (stands for Back Porch) which includes Pro*Am Prosthetics, offers everything needed to create a full character makeup, including prop design and fabrication, dental appliances, sculpting, lifecasting, mold making, as well as training materials for medical and trauma simulations for EMS, law enforcement, and military personnel.

Anyone interseted can take a look at my website www.backporchfx.com.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I guess I’m a teacher at heart; both of my maternal grandparents were educators at the high school and university levels. I never wanted to be a teacher, but I enjoy it immensely. I wish I didn’t enjoy it as much as I do, because the pay sucks. I’ve been to China a couple of times to teach, and it was an eye-opening experience. Teachers are looked up in China the way we look upon professional athletes here. Which is as it should be, if you ask me.

I teach because it really floats my boat to see people get excited about the things that excite me. I LOVE seeing lightbulbs go on over people’s heads when they finally ‘get it.’ It’s electric! That’s why I do it. That someone is actually learning something is just icing on the cake.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, for me, is being able to realize a vision – to make tangible something that was just an idea before I got ahold of it. Experimenting and finding successful solutions is very rewarding. And it doesn’t hurt to be acknowledged for doing it. I think we all like to have our egos stroked, even if the attention also feels uncomfortable. I think most artists are outgoing introverts.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.backporchfx.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/tdebreceni
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/tdebreceni/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/tdebreceni
• Other: www.battleswithbitsofrubber.com