John Dods
John Bruce Dods is a United States filmmaker, make-up artist and specialist in prosthetic make-up effects for movies and the stage. He may be best known for designing and creating the facial appliances for the stage productions of Disney Theatrical|Disney]’s Beauty and [the Beast |Beauty and the Beast].
Dods’ early work as an amateur filmmaker involved the construction of miniature models and sets for elaborate stop-motion animation projects. His creation of latex-covered animation models led him toward the crafts of sculpting, mechanics and mold-making, which in turn led toward a budding career as a mask- and monster-maker.
Following his studies under Academy Award-winning make-up artist Dick Smith, Dods was employed as make-up artist, mold-maker and mechanical effects designer in mainstream feature films, including Poltergeist III, Ghostbusters II, Death Becomes Her, Longtime Companion, A Kiss Before Dying, The [Santa Clause], Alien: Resurrection and The [X Files |The X-Files].
Dods also was effects supervisor on 18 episodes of the syndicated television series Monsters, and worked as a set construction supervisor on the Back to the Future theme park ride at Universal Studios Florida.
Dods created the prosthetic make-up for the creature, played by Shuler Hensley, in Mel Brooks musical stage adaptation of Young Frankenstein, which debuted on Broadway in November 2007.