Thursday, April 16, 2009

Welcome to Things In Jars! Pickle anyone?


Why "Things In Jars" you ask? Well, this is a fan-blog dedicated to film director, major geek, and all around awesome guy, Guillermo Del Toro (or GDT as his fans have affectionately dubbed him).
(Psst… should you already be a Guillermo Del Toro fan, feel free to skip the next two paragraphs – you already know this stuff.)

Guillermo Del Toro’s the creative mastermind behind the Oscar winning Pan’s Labyrinth, Devil’s Backbone, and two film adaptations of Mike Mignola’s comic Hellboy (oh, and next up he’s got this little movie called The Hobbit). You don't have to watch too many GDT films before it becomes fairly obvious that there are a number of reoccurring motifs he likes to use – one of which happens to be things in jars (Cronos, Devil’s Backbone, and Hellboy all feature shots of preserved specimens of some sort).

I’ve been a fan of Guillermo’s since 2004, after watching the behind the scenes documentary for the original Hellboy (I am a complete and utter DVD extras junkie). I was blown away not only by the unabashed enthusiasm and amazing creativity he brings to his work but also by the affection and dedication he inspires in those who work with him. This mutual respect also extends to his many fans, with whom he has a very close and hands-on relationship (he regularly posts to fan message boards and answers as many fan questions and emails as he can). As I became a bigger and bigger fan myself I eventually joined DelToroFilms.com, Guillermo’s official fansite, and have been a regular ever since - so much so, in fact, that I am now a contributing blogger.

(Ok fans, you can start reading again)

Since, as the old saying goes ‘write what you know’, most of the entries here in Jars will deal with creatures, costumes, or special effects make-up, although everything should somehow relate back to GDT in a six degrees of separation sort of way. The plan is to bring you some fun interviews, articles, and interesting things (both in and out of jars) so I hope you come back and take a peek.

Speaking of interviews … COSPLAYERS – if you have a GDT related costume (including, but certainly not limited to, any characters from the Hellboy films, Blade II, or Pan’s Labyrinth) and would like to be interviewed for this blog please email me at kusanivy AT deltorofilms.com. I’ll send you some questions and happily post any pics or information you’d like to share about your costume(s).

3 comments:

  1. I am one click away of becoming a follower of your blog. I am a journalism student from Mexico City, a Guillermo Del Toro fan-from-hell, a geek in fantasy and horror, an avid cosplayer (nothing GDT yet, I'm afraid), a DVD extras junkie, and making my way through Make up 101, because I would love to do special FX make up someday... so... Kusanivy, good luck and lots of success with this blog. I am very happy that you're getting a space for the discussion of all the things you love :)
    Hugs and tons of best wishes,
    from Marcela

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  2. Wow Kusanivy, excellent stuff and really looking forward to any future posts. I'm a huge makeup/vfx/dvd extras, and of course, GDT fan myself!

    Best wishes to you,
    Emlyn (in Ireland)

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  3. I am working on a Princess Nuala outfit now, and an Angel of Death one for my brother, whom you will meet if you're at next year's Detroit Comic Con.
    And by the way... it was completely awesome to meet you the other day! I hope it's not another year before we meet again.
    Hugs, Carly (Angola, Indiana)

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