CGSociety :: Artist Profile
27 October 2009, by Daniel Wade
Cesar Dacol Jr. has worked in the film industry for nearly 20 years, starting his career in the makeup effects industry and transitioning to CG in the mid 90s. With a background in anatomy and traditional sculpting, he has worked as Lead and Modeling Supervisor, contributing to feature films such as 'Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D', '300', 'Barnyard' and 'Fantastic Four'.
Cesar worked as Character Modeler and Technical Director at CORE Film Productions for 'The Wild' and served a three-year term as Adjunct Professor in Advanced Polygonal Character Modeling at Sheridan College. He is a beta team member for Pixologic's ZBrush, and an instructor for CGSociety's CGWorkshops.
< Ghost
ZBrush, Maya, Photoshop
'Ghostbusters' is one of my favorites.
I heard they are making the third installment of the franchise.
I love those 80's designs - very whimsical.
I wanted to pay homage to them. Who hasn't walked into an old library and thought of 'Ghostbusters'.
My father is the single most important figure in my life. It was my father who encouraged my rather bizarre behavior or indulgence of horror films. Thank you Dad!
I fell in love with feature films at a very early age. Films were a source of escapism for me.
Books were a journey into my own soul, and films were a journey into the unknown. I loved this uncanny ability to trick me - I hungered for how they did it. This quickly became an obsession, wanting to know everything about the craft of film making. It turns out that my Dad had been a movie nut all his life and I was just a natural extension of his enthusiasm.
I remember times where we would go get old 16 millimeter prints from the library. Then spend hours watching old movie reels. My father got involved in a small way with a few local cable access channels.
Over the years he would create a few shows that would air twice a month in Toronto. From time to time, I would tag along and learn from them. My very first Make-up text came from one of these visits.
It was always fascinating seeing what they were up to.
I learned to really love movies because of my Dad, and it was his love for the movies that made me fall in love with them as well. It was a no-brainer - I wanted to work in the movie industry.
Severed > ZBrush, Maya, Photoshop
Everything about Severed is cartoony. When I was ten years old I had to have my tonsils removed. I remember clearly thinking of Fred Flintstone's crazy knife-wielding uncle. Thankfully my surgeon was much nicer. But that image stuck with me and I had to let him loose.
My grade 8 teacher was Mrs. Tucker who was tough as nails and wouldn't put up with any garbage. Just what this daydreamer needed - a cold hard dose of reality. At the time, I was already very enthusiastic about Makeup and Special Effects. I can't remember how many times I got into trouble for showing my 'Fangoria' magazines. It was fun to watch people scream - this twisted kick and approval from my peers drove me to begin paying more attention to makeup. My film obsession now had two favorites that I have watched over and over again throughout the years, 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and 'Gremlins'. Both films introduced me to science...or should I say Science Fiction.
< Spidery ZBrush, Maya, Photoshop
'The Mist' is one of those movies that caught me off guard. I didn't know anything about it when I went to see it.
It's now one of my favorites. I was inspired to create my own little Mist creature. My youngest called him Spidery, I think it's fitting.
I was told repeatedly by everyone that there's no way to get into the film industry - it's all about the connections and who you know. You've got to be born into it. There was nothing I could do about the being born part, but connections, I figured I could do.
As the years rolled by I took every job I could get. I acted in front of the camera, I worked behind it, I worked at a radio station as a DJ, I did tons of volunteer work at local TV stations - you name it I probably did it at least once.
< Beelzebub ZBrush, Maya, Photoshop
This piece started with a 25 minute sculpting challenge to create our own version of the classic movie monster from 'The Fly'. Subsequently I came across a striking image of Beelzebub created by Wayne Barlowe. Immediately, I knew I would have to create my own version. Big thanks to Wayne for that jolt of inspiration.
Skip a few years forward and I'm now known as the Devil Worshiper of the neighborhood, and of course I was. I mean come on - I like monsters. Clearly if you like Frankenstein or the Wolfman you must be in cahoots with the Devil.
It wasn't cool yet to do makeup, and it always made it difficult explaining to your date's parents what it was you did. I would always get, "You make Masks!" Not too impressive. Dick Smith is the godfather of Makeup FX - he's one the guys that innovated all the crazy stuff we do. It was through him that I was introduced to many people in the industry.
Dick was the one who got me in the door. Now it's true that I had to stay there, but still, he gave a kid like me credibility even though I had no business having any. I learned how to do makeup the right way and how to be a professional. Dick entrusted me with knowledge and most importantly the spreading of it. I have learned to love teaching because of him. Thank you Dick for helping make my dreams come true.
Tremor > ZBrush, Maya, Photoshop
'Jacob's Ladder' was a huge influence on me, and had some of the most strikingly disturbing images ever captured on film. The great Gordon Smith and his shop FX Smith were responsible for the great effects. One of the great artists on his team was a sculptor by the name of Evan Penny. Evan has gone on to critical fame with his amazing fine art sculptures. Clearly this film and in particular this method of sculpting was the predecessor for many of his works today
One of my oldest friends in the business is John Brown. I discovered John by chance when I came across one of his promotional Makeup flyers. It wasn't long before we were friends - after all we had similar passions. We used to work out of his Spadina Ave. shop in Toronto.
To say that John has been an influence in my life again is putting it mildly. John was the creative spark that made me realize I was good enough. I could make it, if I wanted it badly enough and worked hard enough. It's a lesson that has helped me throughout the years. You see there's a separation that happens when you read an article about a film or artist.
A feeling of wow! or, that must be cool - or even better - damn they're good! This can quickly turn into feeling of inadequacy. I have met some of the most incredible sculptors in the world who also happen to be the most insecure, when it comes to their work.
< Church Demon ZBrush, Maya, Photoshop.
You've got to love Gargoyles. I've always been enamored by the contrast between these demonic looking creatures and the Holy Church. It was a no-brainer for me - seems like great movie material.
The idea of the creatures living high above the city, leaping from building to building, watching us. Maybe coming down for a midnight snack - shivers.
