Today we’d like to introduce you to Rich Cimino
Hi Rich, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been interested in art and music growing up. My family, being a large part of encouragement, allowed me to pro-sue many different art disciplines. My love of abandoned places, horror and halloween gave me the direction of my art.
Now, a San Diego-based, scenic FX artist who specializes in Halloween and horror and has a specific propensity for gore and the macabre. As a former Crime Scene Investigator, I have a knack for creating disturbing images with real-life accuracy.
As a skilled artist known for my fine art, theatrical and haunt sets, faux painting, prop design, paint techniques, and set dressing. The last few years I started teaching my scenic painting techniques. I been a guest speaker at numerous haunt conventions such as Haunt Con, Fear Expo, and Haunt X, to name a few.
I currently work at The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park and The Haunted Hotel (featured on Travel Channel’s America’s scariest haunts), in San Diego, as well as The Scream Zone in Del Mar, CA, as a production manager and as a part of their large creative team. I’m also the creative director and designer of escape rooms for the Great Room Escape in San Diego.
Past projects include the Forum of Fear haunt in Florida, photo shoots, theatrical productions with Patio Playhouse and Cygnet theater. Cimino’s expertise also encompasses multiple makeup disciplines including special effects (FX), character makeup, fantasy, face paint, airbrush, theatrical makeup, prosthetics and have been a makeup lead for several haunts.
I have also published my first “how to” book, this past year, “The DIY Guide to Painting Your Haunted House”. This book shows many of my techniques and applications from start to finish and is a great reference for scenic artists in the haunt industry. Now for sale on Amazon.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not as smooth as I would have like it. A not so obvious obstacle for me was not sticking to one or two art mediums. I am so fascinated with all mediums that I learn them, but never have the time to perfect some of them the way I want to. However, It allows me to apply these different art mediums to my art. Letting me think out of the box more.
Other challenges for me have been dealing with working while busy with my business. Sometimes I get creative blocks or being involved with too many art projects. Also trying to make a name for myself in the haunt and art communities. Another struggle has been social media. I find myself so busy with creating that I end up not posting as much on Instagram as I should.
Also, trying to make a living with your art is tough, but you have to keep pursuing your passion. With the possibility of knowing it may only be past time passion.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
When not working on art and projects for my personal business I am employed with the Haunted Hotel LLC. I started working for them over ten years. I started as a makeup artist for the Haunted Trail of Balboa Park. Eventually becoming the makeup lead and part of the set dressing team. From there I started moving up with in the company. With my years of experience as a outdoor power equipment mechanic, I became a tech. Repairing chainsaws and other equipment during the haunt operation. While striving for more, I became working with the Sound Lights Air and Pneumatics or S.L.A.P. crew. I was also recruited to join the haunts creative and pre-production crew. This allowed me to come up with ideas, creative problem solving and painting. Now, years later, I am one of their production managers and the creative director for the Great Room Escape.
What are you most proud of all of my accomplishments working with this company and leading, teaching and mentoring so many people I work with.
What sets me apart from others I feel, is my willingness to collaborate with others and following untill I need to lead.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Realized that people should wash more often and take their health more serious. Post Covid, when I see or hear someone cough, I think ” are they sick or just a tickle in their throat?”
I have always taken a hard stance on safety first so Covid just heightened that approach.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bentcirkus.com
- Instagram: bentcirkus_artistry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bentcirkusfx/
- Other: https://a.co/d/gcIPX14
