A long time ago, director Mike Dougherty asked if I wanted to build some snowmen... for a film he was developing called KRAMPUS. The notion of a Christmas horror film made by the guy who created an annual Halloween Tradition and Ritual of ours called Trick 'r Treat was beyond exciting. And the notion of providing him something outside of my comfort zone was a little terrifying. Until we spoke and brainstormed about what they should look like, and how they should feel organic and pagan and witchy. A kindred collaboration.
So I was hired as a concept artist on Legendary's KRAMPUS. I sketched a bunch of designs and built a small mock-up and took a ton of photos. The folks of the WETA workshop in New Zealand, who built the props for the Lord of the Rings films, took it from there. Can't express the pinch-me-I'm-dreaming feelings I've been having as the Christmas season approached.
Then, a few weeks after working on the film, I got an email from a Licensing Manager from Legendary pictures, asking if I'd like to be interviewed for a book called The Art of Krampus. Who would say no to that? (Not even this private guy). So today is the release date for the book, and I'm in there, along with some of the artists who worked on the film. Really excited about that. Mike Mallory the author was super nice and made the whole experience a treat, like talking to a good bud over a beer or two.
Anyways, there's my huge news. And I can't express the gratitude I feel towards Mr. Dougherty for even thinking of my work as he created his Dark Christmas tale. Working with him was a complete joy.
Just totally thrilled and excited to see his film. And feeling totally blessed to be a part of it. Which are pretty cool feelings to have as we head off into the holidays.
Click here for the trailer.
71 comments:
Thanks, man!
Every time we see a trailer on the tube it's the most bizarre feeling. : )
That first sentence though!:) love it. Like Dan said, a well deserved opportunity. I can only imagine where you will go from here. To be featured in the book is so awesome too! Looking forward to seeing the film and reading the interview. :) congratulations, Rot!
Beyond cool...
So looking forward to seeing this in cinemas now.
Also weird to think that the Weta guys were building stuff based off your sketches only ten minutes away from my home... Looking back at the little clip in the trailer I feel like I shoulda guessed anyway.
I forgot you lived so close to those guys.
Very cool.
Oh, is that all??
CONGRATS, Rot!! This is some serious next-level business. Now I can't wait to go check the movie out. In the middle of it, I'll look over to my wife and scream, "Pumpkinrot created those snowmen!" And her, along with everyone around us, will just give me a puzzled look.
But I'll know! Congrats, again!!
Uh, JEALOUS! Man, that is SO cool!
Gonna definitely buy the book. " I'm so proud of our little Rot, he's doing great things" said Christopher Walken to Harvey Keitel.
hahaha
thanks, guys!
So to sum up your post, " not much has been happening in the life of Pumpkin Rot". Well you just keep at it buddy, someday someone will recognize your talent... lol Congrats Rot! That's some pretty exciting stuff!
Very impressive!
Congrats!!! I knew it was only a matter of time before you'd be doing more movies after Mr. Jones. Well deserved!!! Can't wait to see it even more now :)
Much deserved. Congratulations
Thanks a ton, guys!
OOOh those snowmen are awesome! Congratulations on everything...no one deserves it more.
That is such awesome news Rot! I have two kids. So when I started reading the article and read "wanted to build some snowmen..." my brain launched into a musical number and started humming "do wanna build a snowman?!". Curse you, you put those ellipses there on purpose didn't you? I quickly screamed at myself in sheer terror. Then continued on reading the incredible news. Now everyone is gonna go out and build Krampus-Rot snowmen after seeing Krampus. Some of us may end up sleeping on the sofa for the remainder of the holidays simply mentioning this to our spouses.
Great great news. So happy for you Rot. That is beyond awesome and working with Dougherty must have been amazing. Now it is time to build that Haunted Attraction that you truly deserve and open it up to the public who will be anxiously awaiting to ride your twisted Hayride. I will be looking for your creations in the film.
OhMyMikeD!!!..<333. : D
This gave me a mad butterflies. : )
i am OVER the Moon, SO Happy for you & bean. i include bean because i DON'T believe in coincidence. if your life journey had veered ever so slightly differently in any way, this post would be quite different in content. & from what i've been reading over the years, on your blog is...this day HAS always been coming. it's been arriving with the first flight of the witch you & your bro made soooo long ago.<3 Congratulations dude!!!!. : )
P.S...now on a silly note...i KNEW it!!!!..HAHAHAHAHHA..
i knew you were running with that mac daddy, MikeD. it all started with his tweet of The Great Pumpkin Project. i was like.....hmmmmmmmm? & i was ONLY slightly off in my guess of a paper mache Krampus..HAHAHAHA. : D
MERRY Krampus!!!!!!!
SO AWESOME! My sincerest congratulations!
Does this mean I get to say, “I knew that guy way back when…?”
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,
Rene’
Breaking out! For those of us who have followed your journey for so many years it really is satisfying and inspirational to see these great opportunities and accomplishments come your way. Your creativity and hard work is paying off in big ways.
Sincere congratulations Rot, and I hope this is just the beginning of many more things in the future!
Awesomesauce Dude!!
We will HAVE to stay till the End of the movie to see the Pumpkinrot credit!!
Congrates!
What an awesome opportunity and it couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy. Congratulations, Rot!!!
Thanks, everyone!
and, girl6, you totally called it. haha
Well I'm thrilled and not entirely surprised. I also caught the tweet and the brain started spinning..."Could it be???? No....well...yes!"
Beyond happy for you and Bean, brother. So stoked for this anyway and now this just fuels that even more. Congrats a thousand times over. No one more deserving imaginable.
Man that is the coolest news ever!
Congrats!
Soon enough they'll be flying you to New Zealand as a fulltime scary prop master!
Thanks!
Too Freaking cool for words!!!!!!!!!! Sooooooo happy for you!
really appreciate it!
That is awesome! If anybody deserves recognition, it is you! We'll done Rot! Where can I get an autographed copy of that book? ;)
Thanks!
Booksigning appearances forthcoming ; )
Amazing! You're a legend. I want to get this book and have you autograph it!!
(scoops jaw off the floor)
DUDE!!! That is friggin awesome! Congrats! Now I REALLY can't wait to see this movie!
So cool Rot- what can I say that hasn't been said already? I'm inspired that you took something so awesome and then was brave enough to see it through. Jones may have been the beginning but this is your start. Congrats you two-
Man...that is just FANTASTIC! Being a huge fan of Dougherty, and the whole Krampus legend, I was already massively excited about this film. Now, finding out this bit of news? Yeah, my head about exploded! You truly deserve this kind of recognition, and I hope it leads to even bigger projects (hey Dougherty, if you're reading this, you need to hire Rot to build some scarecrows for Trick r' Treat 2! You KNOW it's a perfect match!).
Congrats man...this is seriously wonderful news. Now I have to ask...what is Bean planning on wearing on the Red Carpet? ;)
The Big Reveal!!!!!
O..M..G.. beyond awesome. You SO deserve this. Whenever you are ready to come off of cloud nine let us know when the book comes out. Congrats Rot! Enjoy the ride!
So excited to see your work on the big screen man, congrats!!
That is beyond cool. Congratulations on a job well done. I can't wait to see the movie.
I found the book on Amazon! The drawings of the snow men remind me of Calvin and Hobbs goes terribly evil.
So that's how you could afford all that corn for your haunt this year! Congrats! So does this mean you'll be sneaking more posts about Christmas and ancient Austrian Traditions on your blog?
Jesus Rot..I almost started crying as I read this! How did you keep this quiet, you must have been bursting with excitement! I'll be getting the book for sure now..awesome.
Magics!
All your hard work and dedication lead inevitably to something amazing! I am triple-excited for this film now!!! Congratulations, sir!
Congratulations, my love. You more than deserve this.
Thanks so so much, everyone!
I can't even find words to express my happiness for you! That's phenomenal!
Congratulations on the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. I can't think of anyone who deserves it more!
Thanks, shelly!
and I should add I posted your Haunt just now BEFORE seeing this comment ; )
My favorite Halloween craftsman of all time and my favorite new horror moviemaker combined? Pinch me!!
It's posted on Dreadcentral now and the one artwork of the house with snowmen outside is awesome! I might swing by Barnes & Noble after work to see if it is there. Cause out computer is down and I can't wait to get it!
I should add that I did NOT draw that...that's beyond my talents.
that was an embellishment I'm presuming from stuff in the movie. I've actually not seen the book, nor the finished snowmen in the movie...just what's in the trailer : )
Oh, and you might want to call the bookstore first.
Seems like they might be holding release for another week until the movie comes out.
Wow Rot - you sure kept that under your hat for awhile. So pumped to see the movie and love that I can look for your artwork in the film. It's all just too cool.
I just watched the trailer and seen the snowmen. Amazing work.
I am so happy for you.
Dark hour was treated to a preview of the movie and I gotta say they look creepy & amazing great concept work
AMAZING stuff Rot! I was already excited to see Krampus, but after finding out you had input on the snowmen I'm soooo stoked for the release of the film.
I am thrilled, I am tickled, as if I needed another reason to be excited for this film! Congratulations Rot, you totally deserve it.
Love to see the mock up you did some day. The snowmen in that selected page on amazon are amazing and creepy. Their arms, as seen in the trailer, are right out of Rot101. Perfect.
I don't suppose any of them wear a top hat? Frosty from Hell?
Again, so very happy for you. Can't wait to see this! Gonna be magic.
Yeah, I'd love to see the mock-up,too!
Whoa! How incredibly surreal for you I'm sure! I'm looking forward to the film even more now! Awesome sauce Sir! Congrats!
Holy shit man.....this is some really really amazing news. So happy for you buddy!
I'm totally thunderstruck, but this couldn't have happened to a more incredible guy. I've always been amazed by your work; I should've figured it was only a matter of time before you 'made it big'. I SO appreciate you sharing your art over the years, and I'm stoked to see your influences up on on the big screen.
One HUGE congratulations to you!
Holy crap in a pita! sweet!
Over the top excited for you! Well deserved recognition. Congratulations over and over and over...
Just now seeing this post. This is such AMAZING news!!! I'm overjoyed to see you getting the recognition you deserve! And now I'm determined to find a copy of that book! Sounds really cool.
Awesome congrats can't wait to see this
I just Krampus tonight and during the credits I saw your name!I was like,I know him! Congrats! I am so happy for you! ❤
Hey thanks! So cool of you to drop by!
This is big news! Your snowmen were perfect! I can't wait to get that book!Are you on Instagram? So I can tag you as the artist?
Nah...no instagram yet.
Thanks! So glad you dug them.
Just saw the movie. I LOVED the snowmen! They were truly disturbing, absolutely dripping with menace. I had no idea they were your vision until my kid (also a huge fan) saw your name in the credits. Really amazing work. Bravo!
Thanks!
Really appreciate that.
Been meaning to post Rot!
My wife and I saw Krampus for my birthday back in December and loved the work! The snowmen added that ominous & foreboding element that's critical to a successful horror movie. They'd certainly get under my skin if I woke up to one or two in my front yard (that is, if I didn't think they were really cool first)! We were very excited to see that you had this opportunity and hope there are more to come! Great job!
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