Meet Mike Arbios | Makeup FX Artist & Model Maker

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

Hi Mike, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from northern California (Stockton). When I was 14, Star Wars came out. After seeing it for the 37 time, I decided I wanted to build creatures and models for the movie industry. When I grew up, I moved to the Los Angeles area to pursue special makeup effects. Within a few years I was working for the top fx artist in the industry, Rick Baker. Ten years later I was in the Bay Area (Marin) working for George Lucas’ model shop, Industrial Light and Magic. I was incredibly shy, but I just couldnt let these great incredible opportunities pass me by. In doing so, I became more confident in my profession, and that shy little kid who could only quietly dream about Hollywood made it a reality!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
After my first film, “Less Than Zero”, I took all the money I had made, and bought supplies for makeup effects. So I was able to make a portfolio with what I had done at home, but I had zero experience on a film. I met a professional makeup artist, and would go to his shop and chat him up constantly. But he wasn’t hiring. He would tell me where the other shops were around L.A. that might be hiring, but I just didn’t have the experience. At this point I hadn’t eaten in two days. I called him that night and asked if maybe I could sweep his floors, just to watch him and learn. He then had me in his shop, doing other things, like fiberglass work. When he came back he was impressed that I had finished the job. So he hired me. He said he was making me the foreman and taking me on location in Canada! That day, before I left for the evening, I asked him shyly, if I could have an advance, since i hadnt eaten in three days. He gave me 40 dollars to eat, and said “Never do that again!” Since then, not a day goes by that I dont appreciate that. One film later I was working for the great Rick Baker on Gremlins 2, where he needed a large crew. I knew i would probably be the first person let go, since i was hired the very last. Now Rick Baker was my hero as a teen. I had pictures of him in my little lab in my bedroom, and my parents were well aware of who he was. But a year and a half later, after production had finished, they kept me. All those little things in the beginning still mean a lot to me, and I have never turned down an opportunity. I have learned a great deal since then, and have had many teachers. And now, I’ve had to adapt, since practical effects aren’t called for as much anymore. But my other passion is music. My mother had taken me and my brothers to see many Bay Area bands, like Santana, Cold Blood. I even saw Jimi Hendrix at some fair grounds (although i was pretty young). Everyone I knew during the eighties and nineties wouldn’t ever see me without my Walkman and duffle bag full of cassettes. During the “swing kid, cigar” days in the nineties, I always wondered if i could make a guitar from one of the cigar boxes I had accrued (like the great Bo Diddley had). But not just a plain cigar box guitar, but something geared towards people who like a little art with their instrument. Thats where my creativity and model making comes in. Whenever there was a strike or other issue and I couldn’t find work down here, I would travel back home and work in San Francisco and the surrounding area. At George Lucas’ model shop, INDUSTRIAL LIGHT and MAGIC, we went beyond the beyond, like a contest of who can “out create” the other person. So I got to work and made a guitar, and sold it. And then another, and was surprissd that there were people who appreciated what I was doing creatively. I had to start thinking about business things, especially like having plenty of stock, so I will have to occasionally take time off just to create. And since i use a specific kind of box (that are easier to work with for guitars), I will start to accumulate a pile of odds and ends boxes that just dont’t feel right. So I began turning the unused boxes into “tchotchke” boxes, which give me a bit more freedom. No sound hole, or neck or strings to deal with, just letting my imagination run. I make everything from dragon “skin” type boxes to robots, dinosaurs….hand carved, inside and out. I sometimes wake up at night just to run out to my shop and quickly lay parts out to preserve my idea til morning…
My company’s name “MageeTars” is an amalgam of my father’s (who is also a music teacher and guitarist) nickname for me since i was a kid, “Magee” and “guitars”.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ok. Ok. Ok. Here are some my faves…
I love the movie business, and miss it like crazy. These are some of the places I love to show off….
“Rydell” High School from the movie, “GREASE” in Venice Beach. Venice Beach itself is a great hangout, vendors, interesting people…home of Jim Morrison and the Doors!
The “Poltergeist” house in Simi Valley. It was recently up for sale…
The HOLLYWOOD sign. You can hike there! I did it a few years ago. Easy to get to, and the hike is pretty easy.
Westwood Village. I used to live there. Lots of shopping, food. And movies. Still love to hang out there.
Melrose- yes THE famous Melrose. Lots of shopping. And people watching…
For music:
Hotel Cafe. Fun fun fun!
The Roxy. Amazing Live music. (Side note, I modeled for a Karaoke video there!)
House of Blues in Hollywood- What can i say? I’ve had a lot of fun there! Even celebrity sightings.
Canyon Club in Agoura Hills- If you love the eighties (like I do), you can see tribute bands AND even the real deal!
Harvelle’s on 4th in Santa Monica-my favorite place. Great Blues bands. During the week, on off nights, you can catch surprise artists, like Dennis Quaid and the Sharks! (I actually saw Ike Turner there years ago on a weird night).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Kenny Myers. One of the first Makeup FX artists i ever worked for. A friend was going to work for Kenny on Star Trek 5. I begged him to get me in. I went to Kenny’s shop to help clean it up for the next show for free. He hired me, temporarily. But he liked me. He even allowed me to make the creature for the big ending. Then he kept me for the next gig. Just me all alone. He taught me colors, makeup application. I was nobody, but he and his family took me in. I will never forget that.

Instagram: mikearbios

Facebook: MageeTars