The art of sculpting mask, especially those worn by Michael Myers has definitely seen a boom since The Shape’s return in Halloween 2018.
One of the most talented Shape mask-makers out there is German Halloween superfan Nils Reucker. We caught up with Nils to talk all things Michael Myers, masks and Halloween.
Anyone who follows you on social media knows you are a massive Halloween fan, when did you decide to start looking at recreating masks of The Shape?
My love affair with Halloween started back in the mid-90s, when I was home alone, and the original “Halloween” crept onto my TV late at night. The white-masked killer had me hooked—so simple, yet so haunting! Fast forward a few years, and the Internet rolled into my parents’ house, launching my obsession into overdrive. I stumbled into a world where fellow fans of the flick congregated on message boards, mostly from the UK and the US. It felt like I was stepping into the 1970s every day after school, geeking out over Halloween, Michael Myers, and all the behind-the-scenes goodness. Those screen names became real friends—some I’ve been in touch with for over 20 years! Wild, if you think of it. My first Myers mask was a Cinema Secrets H1 that didn’t quite hit the mark. It looked more like the mask from “Halloween 5” with its long brown hair and flared-out neck, so one night, I decided to go ahead and transform it into the “Halloween 5” mask. And just like that, my love for mask-making was born. I asked for 20 pounds of clay that Christmas (who needs toys, anyway?) and started sculpting Myers masks. My first attempt I think was back in 2004…and let’s just say it’s gone to the mask graveyard—and probably for the best!
What do you think makes Michael’s mask so popular with horror fans?
Now, why does Michael Myers’ mask resonate with so many? It’s the simplicity—a human face, drained of emotion, painted white, with eyes like black holes. Anyone could be behind that mask. Heck, anyone could be the Shape! But what really fascinates me is the story behind the mask. An old Don Post Captain Kirk mask from 1975, painted white, with its hair sprayed black, became the creepiest character to ever grace our screens. The fact that only a few of those original Kirk masks exist today just makes it all the more special to me. I’m still holding out hope I’ll stumble upon one in a thrift store someday—but let’s be real, that’s more of a dream than a likely reality. Most surviving 1975 Kirk masks are so brittle, that a clueless thrift store worker would probably toss it in the trash without a second thought.
Can you explain what the process is like for starting to mould the masks?
Sculpting a mask is both dead simple and maddeningly tricky, especially for a Myers mask. The original mask was worn by a slew of people in the first film—Nick Castle, Tommy Lee Wallace, Tony Moran, and supposedly even John Carpenter and Debra Hill—all giving it a slightly different look. So, there isn’t just one definitive Myers look; it’s a mashup depending on who wore the mask and what scene you’re watching. Try blending all that into one mask—ha! For the STARMAN, I studied as many images as I could find, from screencaps to behind-the-scenes shots, and actual 1975 Kirk masks. Thankfully, a close friend from my early message board days owns a Kirk and has a treasure trove of rare images, so I had plenty of reference material. But even with all that, it’s hard to nail the perfect likeness. One night you think you’ve got it, and the next morning, you wake up and realize it looks like trash. You need freshen up your eyes and brain constantly, step away, come back, tweaking here and there, take another break, and so on. Some sculptors are quick, but STARMAN took me about a year, on and off. And once you pour the plaster over your sculpt to make the final mould, that’s it—no turning back. You’ve gotta be sure you’re happy with your sculpt before that point, and that takes time.
How long does it take to make one Shape mask?
As for how long it takes to make a mask, it’s a mixed bag. If you don’t count the sculpting and moulding time, it could take anywhere from a day to a week, depending on how much free time I can carve out of my day job as a TV reporter and journalist. Pouring the raw blank and letting it cure usually takes a day, painting another, and hairing and detailing yet another. Then there’s the endless adjusting until I am happy with the final result – and that can take ages. 😀 It’s a process! But I love it, so I don’t mind.
Outside of the original mask, what is your favourite Shape mask?
My favorite Shape masks, other than the original, would be H4, H5, and H20 KNB masks. I know—those are usually the least popular among fans, but there’s just something about their odd, creepy vibe that gets under my skin.
I’m told you have a soft spot for the Thorn trilogy, did the masks for Halloween 4 & 5 disappoint you?
To be honest, I was never a big fan of the Thorn storyline. I could tolerate it in H4 because it was barely noticeable, by H5 they had leaned into it a little more and by the time H6 hit the screen, it was full-on occult slash fest. For that reason, H6 used to be my least favourite for a long time, but I’ve developed a soft spot for it. And for those masks, especially H4 and H5. The H4 Myers mask is super blank, with no trace of anger, just pure white with those dark, curved eyebrows that give it an almost innocent look. H5, on the other hand, is like its evil twin—angry eyebrows, pointy nose, sharp eye cuts, flared-out neck, and long hair. It’s the polar opposite of H4, but just as unsettling. Plus, the H5 mask has a special place in my heart because Halloween 5 was the one sequel I couldn’t get my hands on as a kid—it was banned in Germany. All I had were screencaps and pictures of the mask, which only made the film more mysterious to me. But one day, in my local video store, I spotted the tape sitting there on the shelf. Plus, the H5 mask has a special place in my heart because Halloween 5 was the one sequel I couldn’t get my hands on as a kid—it was banned in Germany. All I had were screencaps and pictures of the mask, which only made the film more mysterious to me. But one day, in my local video store, I spotted the tape sitting there on the shelf. I couldn’t believe my luck! I rented it, even though I was way too young and the film was still banned. I was so excited, I borrowed a friend’s VHS recorder and made a copy. H5 will always be a favourite of mine.
What did you make of Christopher Nelson’s work on the Gordon Green Halloween trilogy masks and its evolution?
Now, I might ruffle some feathers here, but anyone who knows me also knows that I am not exactly a fan of the new Halloween trilogy. I’m not going to get into the specifics here though. The mask Chris created is definitely a creepy one. He put a lot of effort into sculpting a mask with significant signs of age and it shows.
Would you say this is a hobby or would you like it to become more in the future?
Mask-making will always be my beloved hobby. I don’t want it to turn into a job or an obligation. I started this because I love being creative and working with my hands, and that passion hasn’t dimmed. It’s my escape from the daily grind of my day job as a TV journalist, a form of meditation that calms my mind. I never want to lose that magic by turning it into a job.
We have a Halloween TV series in the works, what would you like to see from it that we haven’t seen to date?
As for the future, I’d love to see them stop churning out more Halloweens and turning everything into TV shows. We’ve had a new trilogy—let’s give it a rest, shall we? And there you have it, my grumpy old man rant for the day!
Find out more about Nils’ work on his website.
Bloody Flicks 