In many ways I really didn't know what to expect going into this film. I met Chris through a chance encounter on STV Edinburgh when we were both on The Fountainbridge Show and I knew that any man with a beard like his was a man I wanted to know. I can grow a pretty full beard myself but his moustache styling was sublime. We had a great meeting shortly afterwards, spoke about the film over coffee and about a month later we got started shooting.
I remember showing Chris my Woodworker film to give him an idea of my style and he apologised profusely for not having a stunning studio space for me to film in. Personally I thought, if I can't make a bedroom turned studio look good then I don't have much business filming. It turned out to only be a small problem with the interview due to the sunny weather as the majority of shots were close ups on the action of Chris building who we affectionately called SID. The a7s' ability to retain detail in highlights is brilliant and I only had to use one light and a few colour correction masks to ensure Chris wasn't a silhouette against the window
Now for those wondering, SID is a nice monster (Chris eschews the word monster as it conjures negative perception, preferring instead the term creature), when you get to know him and we gave him a hell of a backstory. He's quite clearly a badass on his world, a cigar smoking, big gun toting monster bounty hunter and we'd all love to see the Pixar movie about him. If you pay close attention to the film you'll see SID is in a big hurry to get finished so he can enjoy a cigar.
I have been very pleased with the feedback on this film and the many people who have messaged me to say thank you to Chris and myself for sharing his inspiring words and story. I am more pleased still to have made an excellent friend in Chris, someone I can discuss Battlestar Galactica with over a game of pool and a few ales. And now in large part due to Chris I am also now addicted to Nescafe Azera coffee.
Now for the important information:
Chris Johnson is an artist and fabricator based in Edinburgh, working in the fields of creature design and prop making under the working name of The Dark Bunny.
This film follows Chris as he creates a creature maquette and discusses what led him to his unusual career.
Whilst his work has been featured in several films and national news articles, what he truly loves is creating original creature busts, masks, futuristic props and wearable objects.
Chris considers himself to be a sculptor, as sculpting is how most of his creations originate. He works digitally as well as in clay, foam, fabric and many other mediums. Most of his creations are wearable, but are artistic displays in their own right and are often used purely for display.
Find more information about Chris and Dark Bunny FX at www.darkbunny.co.uk
More music by Simon Herron: www.simonherron.com
ADDITION: I'm pleased to be able to say that this film and Woodworker were picked up by LA based Education TV station KCETLink for broadcast and online exhibition in August 2015.