Jeh Howell: the man behind the mask

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Jeh Howell of Live Oak displays one of the prosthetic faces he created that has been used in a film production. - Photo: Bryant Thigpen
Jeh Howell applying a nail in the neck effect. http://www.factoryofeffects.com/

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September 27, 2012

Jeh Howell: the man behind the mask

Bryant Thigpen Suwannee Democrat The Suwannee Democrat Thu Sep 27, 2012, 08:36 AM EDT

Live Oak — There’s not many people that enjoy a good scare, but Jeh Howell is one of them. Around the age of 10, Howell discovered a passion for scary movies. That passion has put him on the platform of being one of the best designers for stage productions and films. It’s what Howell designs though that makes him so unique.

When Howell isn’t running the presses at North Florida Printing Company, Inc. in Live Oak, he’s designing masks and prosthetics for the gore scenes in horror productions. From bleeding cuts and bruises to bullet holes and broken bones, Howell has spent many hours perfecting his skills to make these simulated injuries look realistic.

Just a few weeks ago, Howell was on the set for the making of “Girl Of My Dreams”, a film that is set to hit the big screens in January. His most notable work was on the movie “Zombieland”, but has also been on set for “Satanic Suicide Slumber Party”, “Insane In The Brain”, “Dead End Brain”, and he even did a little acting in “Loyalty”.

Although the scary, grossing scenes are his specialty, his skills as a makeup instructor have been evidenced in family-friendly theatrical productions such as, “Captain Bree”, “A Christmas Carol”, “Pinocchio” and “Babes In Toyland”. He’s also done makeup for television sets including “Top Fuel TV” with Don Garlits and “Christmas on the Square”; a 30 second commercial in which Howell wrote, directed and edited.

In October 2009, Howell was featured as a zombie on the front cover of “Fangoria”, which is the top magazine for all horror movie fans.  “I do this as a part-time profession, but I love what I do,” Howell said.

Howell doesn’t just like horror movies, he loves them.  “I’ve got about a thousand of them. In fact, 98 percent of my movies are horror movies,” he laughed. “I’ve seen about every scary movie there is to see.”  The passion that began at such a young age had him on the set of plays by his teenage years creating the “blood and guts” scenes. Not only was he on the set of plays, but he was active in the community assisting churches, Melody Christian Center in particular, with special effects and gore scenes for their Judgement House production.

“I like the realistic horror,” he laughed. “You know, stuff that could really happen. A monster from space could be created to look like anything. But it takes a lot of work and creativity to simulate something that could really happen.”

Not only has Howell been successful in productions, but his company, Factory of Effects, also travels across the state to assist with the training of emergency responders. Howell and his staff of designers will create critical care events like gun shot wounds, automobile accidents, impalements, compound fractures and any type of injury that could occur.  “Providing a realistic set with various types of injuries will help the future medical responders to be better prepared when a real disaster strikes,” he said.

Howell’s amazing ability to create realistic horror scenes has gained him a reputation for being one of the best in the state. To learn more about Howell and his abilities, and to see photos of some of his creations, visit http://www.factoryofeffects.com/.

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