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SPECIAL effects and movie makeup company JMB FX Studio has received world-wide recognition after it was nominated for a US Primetime Emmy Award for its work on the mini series The Pacific.
The company is nominated in the Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie category for its creative work on the Tom Hanks-Steven Spielberg TV war epic.
Hollywood kudos for the Labrador-based company puts it up there with luminaries and past Gold Coast Oscar winners John Cox for his animatronics work on Babe and makeup artist Peter Frampton (Braveheart).
Founder Jason Baird (pictured right), who cut his creative teeth on tele films such as Lost World and Beastmaster, says the recognition is not about one film, but years of dedication.
“I have built this business from the ground up, there’s hardly any business in Australia doing what we are now,” says Baird.
“We feel like we have broken through, but it’s the recognition for 20-odd years, not for just one show. There’s not much that hasn’t come through Australia in the last decade that we haven’t had a hand in.”
Baird helmed the team of prosthetic makeup artists who created the human carnage for the 10-part sequel to Band of Brothers, filmed in North Queensland and Melbourne, for America’s HBO network and broadcast in Australia on Channel 7.
The brief was to recreate realistic bomb, bullet and shrapnel wounds for soldiers injured on Pacific killing fields.
The team included Queenslanders Jac Charlton (pictured left), Sean Genders, and Los Angeles-based specialists Gregory Nicotero KNB EFX, Chad Atkinson and Ben Rittenhouse.
The studio has also worked on a number of other high profile productions, including The Matrix, Beneath Hill 60, Daybreakers and The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
While the return of the Aussie dollar has negatively impacted offshore film prospects in Australia, Baird and his team are kept busy with a film school and theme parks.
JMB FX Studio has signed a contract to create costumes and make up for the Universal Theme Park in Singapore and have launched a prosthetic make-up course on the Gold Coast for aspiring artists.
“There are a number of shows sitting in relative limbo and we have quoted for three shows,” says Baird.
“While the high Aussie dollar is making it difficult to attract international films here, we are competing on a global stage and have expanded on many levels.”
Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh, says the nomination reflects the depth of creative talent in Queensland.
“The nomination is recognition of their exceptional work on The Pacific and highlights the quality and creativity of Queensland’s screen professionals,”
she says.
“It is also acknowledgement of the outstanding locations, highly-skilled crew base and world-class facilities on offer in Queensland.”
The World War II mini-series, part-filmed in North Queensland during 2007, delivered almost $87 million in economic benefits to the state and more than 1700 jobs.
Screen Queensland CEO Maureen Barron, says the nomination is well-deserved and showcased the expertise available in the state.
“This depth of skill and experience together with our stunning locations is a major draw for Australian and international productions,” she says.
Baird and his team will attend the 62nd awards, on Sunday August 29 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
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