Recently, I was lucky enough to get in contact with special effects makeup artist Cig Neutron. Cig was the runner up on season 7 of Syfy’s hit TV show Face Off, and has returned to the set to compete again in the ongoing season 11. When he’s not on Face Off, Cig is also the creative mind behind the Cig Neutron universe (watch out for the Cigaratts!) and has worked on numerous projects and conventions around the country, showcasing his work with his company Bizarro Au Go-Go. So, without further adieu, let’s see what he had to say:
I think a few fans of your season were wondering this, where did the name Cig Neutron come from?
Cig Neutron – Well I started showing in fine art galleries way before Face Off and I don’t hate my real name but I wanted a sleazy sci-fi name to go by. Not sure why I first thought of it but I wanted to do a play on Fig Newtons. Fig Neutron was already taken and I was a smoker at the time so I came up with Cig Neutron haha.
What first got you interested in special effects make up?
Watching the making of the Thriller video with Rick Baker and company, then seeing Summer School. Chainsaw and Dave were some of the coolest people in the world to me and I wanted to be just like them.
Did you have professional training, or was did you teach yourself for the most part?
I went to the Tom Savini Makeup FX program at Douglas Education center. I learned a ton there and learned even more actually working in the industry.
Do you have any particular artists that you consider an inspiration for your own work?
I honestly can’t just choose one. Rick Baker, Steve Wang, Tom Savini, Steve Johnson, Screamin’ Mad George just to name a few.
What was it like to be on Face Off, and what was your favorite challenge? (Confession: My favorite make up from the whole season was Tony “Big Tuna” Accardo. I got a real kick out of the character, and have since then used that as an alias for fun a few times!)
haha man I sure do love Big Tuna as well! Some of my other favorite challenges was the fantasy monster high school challenge, the childhood fear clown challenge, and most recently the mad max challenge.
Has the show had any impact on your career?
Absolutely! We’ve been doing conventions and selling our books, sculpts, and art for a long time now. After the show it made it much easier to open a conversation with con goers because they already knew who I was.
How were things in the house off camera? Was there ever any drama? Who did you get closest to during your time there?
Things were so much fun. You get a bunch of adults in a house with no phones and no contact with the outside world and after awhile we all turn into big kids. We make up games to entertain ourselves, play hide and seek, etc. It’s crazy but it’s kind of nice not to have to worry about the outside world for awhile.
Is there anything that you would have done differently?
No, they say hindsight is 20/20 but when you are in the moment on the show, every decision you make, makes sense to you at the time, and I believe that’s part of the fun and magic of the show.
What have you been up to since the show ended?
Well George Troester and I started an FX company called TroTron FX and we’ve got some great potential projects lined up!
Where can fans see some of your latest work?
I use all social medias but the one I use most is Instagram so if you want to see my latest stuff follow me on there @cigneutron and to see George and my joint projects follow @Trotronfx
Is there anything you would like to say to up and coming artists, or even potentially future Face Off contestants?
If it’s your passion follow it. Know that it won’t be easy, but if you love it enough you’ll never give up. The creative life isn’t the easiest, but it’s definitely the most rewarding.
Do you still wear those cool hats, and did you make them yourself?
haha I wear them all the time, and I do indeed make them! I also sell them! you can get them at http://bizarroaugogo.com
And before you go, what is your favorite horror movie?
That’s an impossible question to pick one but Hausu is probably up there as one of my favorites of all time.