Robert Kurtzman (born November 25, 1964) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and special effects makeup artist. During his time at KNB EFX Group, which he co-founded, it would win a 2001 Emmy Award. He would then start his own production company Precinct 13 Entertainment in 2003 and Robert Kurtzman's Creature Corps. In 2017, Kurtzman and his partner Marcia King moved to Atlanta and formed Robert Kurtzman MUFX LLC.
Career Kurtzman began his career in 1984 when he moved from his hometown of Crestline, Ohio, to Hollywood, California, to pursue his interest in prosthetic makeup, better known as special makeup effects. In 1988, along with Gregory Nicotero and Howard Berger, he formed K.N.B. EFX Group, a special makeup effects studio which has gone on to work on over 400 film and television projects. K.N.B. has won numerous awards, including an Emmy Award in 2001 for their work on the 2000 Sci Fi Channel miniseries Frank Herbert's Dune. They were awarded an Academy Award in 2006 for achievement in makeup for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
After establishing himself in the special effects arena, Kurtzman turned to directing and producing. His first project was From Dusk till Dawn, for which he wrote the original story, served as co-producer, and created the special effects. The Demolitionist marked Kurtzman's directorial debut. He went on to direct Wishmaster, in which he had an uncredited cameo as "piano wire guy". In 2002, Kurtzman left K.N.B. EFX Group. Kurtzman moved his family to Crestline, Ohio, and started his own production company, Precinct 13 Entertainment. Founded in 2003, Precinct 13 is described as a Film/Television and Radio Commercial/Visual Effects production facility. The Rage was the first in-house, fully financed, independent feature film. Kurtzman and P13 have, also, co-produced the supernatural film The Dead Matter, featuring Andrew Divoff, Tom Savini, and Jim O'Rear. Kurtzman also directed the action-thriller film Deadly Impact, which was written by Alexander Vesha. In 2017, Kurtzman took on the Makeup/ MUFX Co-Department Head position for the series The Haunting of Hill House directed by Mike Flanagan. Kurtzman moved his studio to Atlanta and formed Robert Kurtzman MUFX, LLC. His new company has worked on films such as Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, Ma and Doctor Sleep.
Awards
| 1994 | Makeup for Body Bags - shared with Rick Baker, Greg LaCava, Gregory Nicotero, Howard Berger | CableACE Awards
| 1995 | Makeup for State of Emergency - shared with Howard Berger, Gregory Nicotero, Ashlee Petersen, Heidi Seeholzer | CableACE Awards
| 1997 | Best Film for Wishmaster | Catalan International Film Festival
| 1999 | Best Makeup for Vampires - shared with Howard Berger and Gregory Nicotero | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films Saturn Award
| 2002 | Best Makeup for Cabin Fever - shared with Howard Berger and Gregory Nicotero | Sitges - Catalan International Film Festival
Filmography
1980s Year Film Role Notes1986From Beyond Effects TechnicianNight of the Creeps Special makeup effects1987A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors Freddy's creature formsPredator Creature effects crewEvil Dead II Special makeup effects unit crew1988Phantasm II Special makeup effects constructor976-EVIL On-set makeup applicatorKevin Yagher Production, Inc.1989Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers On-set makeup applicatorThe Horror Show Special effectsDeepStar Six Creature guyNight Angel Additional makeup effects supervisorK.N.B. EFX GroupNightwishSpecial effectsIntruderSpecial makeup effects artist
1990s Year Title Role Notes1990Dances with WolvesBuffalo effects supervisorBride of Re-Animator Special makeup effects and bride effects creatorK.N.B. EFX GroupTremors Creature effects: art crewThe Exorcist IIIDemon effects makeupDarkmanSpecial effects makeup artistMiserySpecial makeup effects artistSibling RivalrySpecial makeup effectsTales from the Darkside: The Movie Special makeup effects supervisorLeatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre IIIMakeup artist1991The People Under the StairsSpecial makeup effects supervisor1992Dr. GigglesSpecial makeup effects supervisorArmy of DarknessSpecial makeup effects supervisorK.N.B. EFX GroupThe Nutt HouseSpecial makeup effects1993Jason Goes to Hell: The Final FridaySpecial makeup effects artistK.N.B. EFX GroupBody BagsSpecial makeup effectsDoppelgangerSpecial makeup effectsManiac Cop 3Special makeup effects supervisorEd and His Dead MotherSpecial makeup effects1994Wes Craven's New NightmareSpecial makeup effectsPumpkinhead II: Blood WingsSpecial makeup effects supervisorIn the Mouth of MadnessSpecial makeup effects1995The DemolitionistDirector, screenwriterLord of IllusionsSpecial makeup effects supervisorK.N.B. EFX GroupSkinner Special makeup effects artist, special effects supervisorVampire in Brooklyn On-set special makeup effects application, special makeup effects: puppeteerGalaxisSpecial makeup effects supervisor1996ScreamSpecial makeup effects supervisorFrom Dusk till DawnCo-producer, story, makeup effects supervisor1997The Night FlierSpecial makeup effects supervisorDouble Tap Special makeup effects supervisorSpawnAnimatronic creature effects, special makeup effectsWishmasterDirector, special makeup effects1998The FacultySpecial makeup and creature effectsA Simple Plan Special makeup effects supervisor/puppeteerVampires Special makeup effectsDean Koontz's Phantoms Makeup effects supervisorK.N.B. EFX Group1999House On Haunted HillSpecial makeup effects
2000s Year Title Role Notes2000 The Crow: SalvationSpecial makeup effects artist Frank Herbert's DuneAnimatronic creature effects supervisor/puppeteer Little NickySpecial makeup and creature effects supervisor SpidersSpecial makeup and creature effects supervisor2001 My First MisterCo-executive producer, special makeup effects artist Vanilla SkySpecial makeup effects supervisorK.N.B. EFX Group Inc. Thir13en GhostsSpecial makeup effects artist, special makeup effects supervisor Ghosts of Mars Special makeup effects artist SoulkeeperSpecial makeup and creature effects EvolutionCreature effects2002 Vampires: Los MuertosSpecial makeup effects supervisor Bubba Ho-tep Special makeup effects supervisor Cabin FeverSpecial makeup effects supervisor Ghost ShipAdditional prosthetic special makeup effects supervisor artist/hairstylist2003 Bad Boys IISpecial makeup effects artist (uncredited) IdentitySpecial makeup effects supervisor2004 Tremors 4: The Legend BeginsSpecial effects supervisor2005 CursedSpecial makeup effects HostelVisual effects supervisor Jolly Roger: Massacre at Cutter's CoveVisual effects supervisor 2001 ManiacsVisual effects supervisor The Devil's RejectsVisual effects supervisor2006 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The BeginningSpecial effects makeup2007 The RageProducer, director, writer, cinematographer, visual effects producer, special makeup effects producer Buried AliveDirector, visual effects producer, special makeup effects producer, special effects director Wanted: Undead or AliveSpecial Makeup FX Producer/Visual effects producer The Living HellVisual effects producer, special makeup effects producer
2010s
Year Title Role2010 Deadly ImpactDirector, special makeup producer, visual effects producer, actor (character: Homeowner)The Dead Matter Producer 2013Jug Face Special makeup effects producer 2014Tusk Special effects makeup2016Lake EerieSpecial makeup effects artist, special effects supervisorThe Funhouse MassacreSpecial makeup effects producerThe NeighborSpecial makeup effects supervisor2017The Bye Bye ManSpecial makeup effects producerThe Haunting of Hill HouseCo-Makeup/Makeup Effects Department HeadGerald's GameMakeup Effects Department Head 2019Doctor SleepMakeup Effects Department Head
2020s Year Title Role2021Rise of The Living Dead Special makeup effects artistCherry Makeup/Makeup Effects Department HeadThe Underground Railroad Makeup artist (1 episode)Black Friday Makeup and Special Effects Department HeadFear Street Part Two: 1978 Makeup Effects Artist2022First Kill Makeup Effects Department HeadSecret Headquarters Makeup Effects Department HeadThe Last Days of Ptolemy Grey Makeup Effects Department HeadKillRoy Was Here Special makeup effects artist
References
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