Meet Daniel Sukara | Special Makeup Effects Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Daniel Sukara and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniel, how do you think about risk?
Well, I certainly wouldn’t be answering this if I hadn’t taken a major risk. I wouldn’t have a career to speak about. All of my life I really played it safe and went with the flow, never really making much of an effort to do anything except get by. I spent almost all of my 30s just spinning my wheels, hoping someday something would magically change. But it didn’t. Things got worse and worse for me and I hit a point where I couldn’t take it anymore and so I made that change. I gave up on the job that could have been a very lucrative career and went to school to study my first passion – special makeup effects. This decision was, in a word, terrifying. But it was the right decision. It was the only decision. Since then, life has been no less terrifying, but I’ve been so much more aware of it and present for it. Offers and opportunities that I’d normally shy away from, I find myself running towards at full speed. As as result, there are effects and gags that I have learned, built and executed that you couldn’t exactly open up a book and point to a blueprint of. I’ve had to figure it out and ask for help and sometimes just make it up as I go along. The fear of not knowing how to do something is nothing compared to the excitement of finding how to make it work. The nerves, the fear, the risk, it all keeps me on my toes. It makes me feel alive

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a special makeup effects artist for film. I primarily deal in blood. It’s an interesting thing to put on a resume. I have been working almost exclusively in horror features and shorts over the last couple of years, doing everything from scars, bruises, slit throats, severed hands, bleeding eyes, scalpel cuts and kitchen knife stabbings. Recently I got to do David Cronenberg inspired effects for a queer body horror romance short titled “Served Hot” for the American Film Institute which I absolutely loved. I also was recently the department head for a short zombie comedy called “Happy Hour of the Dead”, working with the most badass team one could ask for, applying full face and hand prosthetics and painting them expertly. I spent a lot of my youth, wandering through video stores and falling in love with the crazy horror movie covers, you know, the ones where the cover art was usually better than the movie. I always wanted to do movies like that and I’m getting the opportunity, utilizing some of that old school gore art with modern sensibilities. It’s crazy to think that it’s only been two years since I’ve graduated from my makeup school and I already have a long list of credits, connections, and experience. I’ve learned a lot and I’m always looking forward to learning more. I kind of feel like every effect I do, I look back and think how I can improve on it. How I can make it better. Sometimes it can be annoying because I drive myself crazy obsessing over little details that only I would notice, but I like that because it keeps me from being lazy. It makes me always want to do my absolute best. And I try to surround myself with people like that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I grew up in Eagle Rock, so I’d probably start there. The wonderful people at Vidiots have resurrected my beloved Eagle Theatre, the movie house of my childhood, and it is a beautiful spot. I’d have to start with a movie there. Afterwards we’d head up the street to the Phoenix Bakery for some butterfly cookies. If my lovely wife is along for the trip, she’ll take us to the cool spots like Milkfarm and Capri Club for snacks. Then a stop over at the Mystic Museum in Burbank, it’s one of my favorite weird shops. A fun cup of coffee at Horror Vibes in North Hollywood would be nice. Then probably just round out the trip taking them to spots around the city where they filmed some of my favorite movies, like Repo Man and Blade Runner, and the old scuzzy punk rock joints that are all cleaned up and pretty now. And then wrap it all up back in Eagle Rock for some street tacos in a random parking lot.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to start by giving massive love to my wife Shanti Medina for supporting me throughout all of this and dealing with my anxieties about it all. Also a big shoutout to all of my teachers and friends at MUD – the Makeup Designory in Burbank. The teachers there are really cool and really care. I know I can always go back to them for help and guidance. Also Jamie Richmond, who was the first person in the industry I met. She took me under her wing, gave me a lot of support and advice and introduced me to some rad people. And without a doubt my mentor, effects legend Brian Sipe. I was paired up with him through the Last Looks Podcast Mentorship Program and there is no way I’d be where I am now without that. I have learned an astounding amount from him and it feels like it’s barely scratching the surface. He knows how to talk to you, how to motivate, how to get you thinking for yourself, and he teaches you to never settle. The man is an absolute genius and I’m so thankful to be part of his group.

Instagram: @danielsukara_mua

Image Credits
Deverill Weeks, Molly Lin, Rawl Paredes