Whether as makeup effects artist extraordinaire or ghost
host with the most, Shane Morton gets my vote as the hardest working man in the
Atlanta horror scene. He and his alter
ego, Atl’s number one horror host Professor Morte, are both ubiquitous presences
at any horror event. Between running
the outstanding Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse, being one of the masterminds behind
Monstrosity Championship Wrestling, working on shows like Adult Swim’s Your
Pretty Face Is Going To Hell, teaching makeup classes for adults and children,
playing in one of his numerous bands, making people scary for every purpose
under the full moon, creating his own line of prosthetics, hosting events at
various horror cons around the country, reanimating The Silver Scream Spookshow
from time to time, working with bands like Goblin and Metallica, or any of the
other projects he “can’t talk about yet” Shane is a true hardcore purveyor of horror
business. He also owns the single most
impressive collection of horror memorabilia I’ve ever personally seen. His house is a museum when people go to see
him. (snap snap) When he agreed to take
part in What Halloween Means To Me, I asked him if Shane or Professor Morte
would be speaking. He simply answered,
with a devious grin, “Yes.” I’m starting
to wonder about line between them. That
dude worries me sometimes…
“When I was a youngster, Halloween season was my favorite
time of year. I would spend weeks putting together my costume and practicing my
makeup so it would be just right on that wonderful night. I would decorate the
front yard with old clothes that were stuffed, bloodied, hanging from trees,
half buried in piles of leaves, and lounging on porch chairs. It was a magical
time and I loved it and all that it stood for.
But what Halloween means to me now is WORK!
Hard work! Back breaking work! Throat torturing, no sleep, no sexy time, no
eating, no nothing but work! 16 to 18 hour days for months! I haven't had a
Halloween experience in over 25 years that did not involve me working/putting
on a show!
As co-creator and head of the spfx and makeup
department of the insanely popular and world famous Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse,
I work all year long (along with my talented team of artists) sculpting masks,
prosthetics, and props (90% of the spooky stuff in our haunt is made on site,
we don’t like store bought stuff in this show!), building scary sets, and
creating creepy environments. We have a
completely new show every year, with a new layout, paths, themes, etc. This year we added over 15,000 square feet
indoors and 3 more acres outdoors! And with over 200 actors put into wardrobe
and makeup in our 3 different onsite attractions, it’s A LOT to handle!
And to add even more to my plate, my crazy
creation, Monstrosity Championship Wrestling, has taken over the Axis Arena
Batman Stunt Show area at Six Flags for Fright Fest! Try juggling a couple
dozen psychotic pro wrestlers, coercing them into costumes and monster makeup
gimmicks, and then getting them to put on a clean show for a family friendly event!
I’m pulling out hair I can’t afford to lose!
Hey wait! What’s this? Who let this guy in here? He
scares the YELL outta me! This is my article...or is it?
Enter Professor Morte!
Good googly oogly moo! Professor Morte here! The
ghost host with the most! What is this guy Shane whining about now? As
Atlanta's horror host I am constantly performing magic and spook shows,
introducing bands (this year's highlights were Metallica and Goblin!), leading
parades, zombie walks, and pub crawls, hosting ribbon cutting ceremonies at
Halloween stores, kissing babies (I love children, they're delicious...err, I
mean delightful) performing legal monstrous marriages, and generally just
spreading the gruesome gospel of Halloween! I never tire of this work as it is extremely
important and is the reason I am here on this earth...Shane...Never lose sight
of the prize. That smiling face in the
crowd, that screaming face in the haunt, that bleeding face in the wrestling
ring. That kid you just did the monster
makeup on may grow up to be the next Lon Chaney, Ray Harryhausen, or Rick
Baker! This work is sacred, powerful, life changing, and wondrous...Never
forget that! Maybe we should get together and work on a putrid project some
time? What do you think buddy?
Well...I guess I'll see you in the 'mourning'
Prof.Morte'. Thanks for keeping me
grounded.
Beast witches and Happy Halloween to all of you boils
and ghouls. I hope you, like me, will
have a legendary one!”
24 days ‘til Halloween, Halloween, Halloween. 24 days ‘til Halloween. Silver Shamrock.
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