Mike Elizalde

Mike Elizalde (born 1960) is an American special make-up effects artist. He was nominated at the 81st Academy Awards in the category of Best Makeup for his work on the film Hellboy II: The Golden Army.

Early life

Born Winston Miguel Elizalde in Mazatlán, Sinaloa. His parents were Miguel Angel Elizalde and Paula Torres Elizalde. He immigrated to the United States when he was five years old and grew up in Southern California. From a very early age, Mike was deeply inspired by movie monsters. Mike would spend hours as a child drawing and using found materials to try to recreate his favorite make-up designs on himself. Magic was also an important part of his life. Mike's spare time while attending high school in Alhambra was spent at an illusion factory called Owen Magic Supreme, where he learned to work with his hands while learning how to perform magic. His two combined passions would lead him to pursue a career in the motion picture special effects industry.

Career

Mike taught himself to sculpt and create prosthetic makeup effects by following the work of his mentors Dick Smith, Stan Winston, and Rick Baker. After serving for eight years in the United States Navy, during which time he became a naturalized U.S. citizen, Mike returned to Hollywood, California to make his dreams come true. He continued to develop his skills by working in several Hollywood special effects studios, including Rick Baker's Cinovation Studios and Stan Winston Studio.

He became an animatronics designer, puppeteer, and prosthetic makeup artist with the knowledge he acquired. In 1994, he and his wife Mary formed Spectral Motion, a design studio specializing in creature effects, prosthetic makeup, robotics, and animatronics.

Mike's resumé includes work on well over 100 film and television projects in his career, including Men in Black, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, Hellboy, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Bright, Birdman, The Carbonaro Effect, Legends of Tomorrow, and Stranger Things.

In addition to his 81st Academy Awards nomination, Mike won a Saturn Award in 2000 and has earned many other nominations and awards for his work in the film industry.

Affiliations

Mike is a Magician Member and is an officer (Secretary) on the Board of Directors at The Academy of Magical Arts at the world famous Hollywood Magic Castle. He is also a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences where he served on the Executive Committee for the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists branch for six years. He is also a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 706, the Screen Actors Guild, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.