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Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

Steve Neill (born 5 March 1952; age 72) has been a special effects makeup artist, film maker, model maker and visual effects (VFX) artist in film and television for over 35 years. Neill first worked for Fred B. Phillips on Star Trek: The Motion Picture as an uncredited makeup artist. His first job was to make Spock's ears. Additionally he designed and made the appliances of the dome headed alien on the bridge that was applied by Ve Neill.

Steve Neill continues to work in the industry and owns SNG Studio in Ventura, California just 45 minutes North of Los Angeles.

Spock's ear molds

Neill's first Spock ear molds

The make-up department was in the end comprised of many staffers, befriended to Neill, he had brought along, including Rick Stratton, Ve Neill, and Mark Siegel. Neill recalled the first day he worked in the makeup department on the Paramount back lot, "One night working late my light at the table was blocked by a tall Shadow. An unmistakable voice rang out asking, "Are those my ears?" I looked up from the table to a legend towering over me and in a small rather humble voice said "Yes"." Being a Star Trek fan, Neill was thrilled to be allowed to work on the first Star Trek movie.[1]

He has also worked on Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country for Richard Snell as a sculptor and prosthetic make of numerous Klingon forehead pieces, though he has not been officially credited for the production (yet being given credit in Variety along with the rest of Richard's makeup crew). Additionally he worked on the Star Trek: The Next Generation pilot episode, "Encounter at Farpoint".

Neill has also worked on Laser Blast (1978), GhostBusters (1984), Fright Night (1985), and many other sci-fi and horror films, and is currently working as a visual effects artist in CGI VFX, as well as producing his own Star Trek spin off, Star Trek Sirius. Make Starships Not War His current work can be seen on his blog.

Steve Neill did talk in more detail about his work on The Motion Picture on his web site.

External links[]

Footnote[]

  1. This article is conceived by the artist himself
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