Uncle Tom With DWN Productions

Dwn Productions was set up in November of 2005 after the owner "Uncle" Tom Martino graduated from the Tom Savini school in Monessen, PA. They are located in Baytown Texas right outside Houston Tx. Their one goal is to give the fans US and YOU the coolest masks, props, and FX they can because they are hardcore fans themselves. They offer high grade latex and fiberglass masks along with props. They can do everything from custom masks to custom animatronics to custom teeth to custom prosthetic appliances.

1. First off can you tell us who you are and what you do?

Ummm hello everybody. My name is Uncle Tom and I'm an axe murderer....

2. How did you get into the field of prop/mask making?

I just always loved movies and creatures/characters. I did not want to live my life having some lame ass job like some square so this was right up my alley.

3. Who and what are some of your inspirations?

House of Krazees, Twiztid, ICP, Esham, all that good old wicked shit, I love the older stuff man. The Friday The 13th movies, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Frank Henenlotter movies (I love the horror movies that dont need to take themselves seriously because it's all about being entertained, Rudy Ray Moore and Fred Williamson movies, campy slasher movies, and filthy stand up comics.

4. What tools and equipment do you use?

Rubber tubing, gas, saw, gloves, cuffs, razor wire, hatchet, Gladys, and my mitts.

5. What is your creative process like? Do you plan out what you're going to do first or do you just jump right in?

When I'm doing an og or a concept I might draw a sketch of what I might want it to look like, but alot of the time I just kinda throw clay on the life cast and see where my mind takes me. If I'm doing a reproduction it's just alot of reference photots and studying them.

6. Do you have professional schooling or are you self taught?

I went to the Douglas Center (Tom Savini Program) in the worst place on the fucking planet (Monessen Pa). The school had an ok templete set out but did not really teach you everything you needed to know and really not to much at all. I spent most of the time there in my room practicing sculpting. For the most part I would say I am self taught and that is probably the best way to go.

7. What are some of your favorite pieces that you've done?

Shit always changes man. One day I can tell you it's this, another day I'd tell you it's that. Right now I'm really diggin' the "Dog Dick" mask and the "Shape Shifta" masks. Maybe it's because those two are hanging in the shop right now but they really are dope.

8. Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring mask/prop makers out there?

Use tons and tons of reference. Having good reference pictures is the key to any project. Also if you feel like you have to rip the sculpture apart and start over again there is no shame in that.

9. Can people buy your work or comission you for custom stuff?

No doubt. I have my masks for sale at www.DWNProductions.net. I also take custom orders as well

10. Seeing as we deal with comics as well as movies, what are some of your favorites?

Movies - Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Friday The 13th 3, Street Trash, Orgazmo, Tropic Thunder, Night Of The Creeps, I could play this game for hours.
Comics - Hulk: Tempest Fugit, Sin City - A Dame To Kill For and The Hard Goodbye, Spider-Man: Reign
Comic book characters - Hulk, Marv, Venom, Spider-Man villians in general. I'm not a fan of DC Comics, for all my money all they have is Lobo...and Batman can eat a dick.

11. Any special projects coming up?

I'm working on another short that should be out in the middle of 2009. This will be an epic story of Crack vs Meth. Besides that, as always new masks are popping up on the site at least once a month if not more.

12. Anything else you'd like to tell the people out there reading this?

Life can suck big ones so find something you love doing and do it. Shit won't be easy but keep working at it and one day you will be the liquor. Freedom 35.

--Interview by Shaun May