This past month, Shudder released the film MONSTER ISLAND (originally titled ORANG IKAN), a co production between Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and the UK. On the heels of this release, Kaiju United sat down with its titular star, Alan Maxson, to discuss his career working as a creature actor. His versatile performances, which includes providing motion capture for King Ghidorah’s right head in 2019’s GODZILLA: KING OF THEMONSTERS and a stint as the DUNE sandworm at the Oscars, his directorial effort ALIEN PLANET, and other projects.
Maxson and myself have collaborated on four projects, so it was exciting to catch up and talk shop. Being working actors and maintaining dual professions, our busy schedules finally aligned. Since a good deal of time had passed, our conversation naturally began catching up with one another on a friend basis and then enduring many hearty laughs for the following hour.
Christopher Gomez/Kaiju United: Alan Maxson, how are you doing?
Alan Maxson: Good! How are you doing, my friend?
CG/KU: Pretty good! My apologies it’s taken us a while to get in touch.
AM: Oh, same with me! I’ve been busy so thank you for being patient!
CG/KU: Tell me about the Oscars?
AM: The DUNE sand worm was one of the most fun jobs I’ve ever had. Everybody was professional. Everyone was there just to entertain but it was also top-notch pro, and to be there with that kind of energy, I will never forget it.
CG/KU: To perform in front of Industry professionals. Actors. Filmmakers of all kinds. It’s a great way to get exposure. So how did you get started into this business?
AM: So, I’m originally from Michigan. I think at this point I’ve lived in LA as long as I’ve lived in Michigan. My very first job as a creature actor, professionally, was THANKSKILLING PART 3. I was on set, editing in South Dakota and Jordan Downey, the director, was gracious enough to let me hop in the suit for a scene. It was actually a suit he had worn during most of the shoot. But there was a scene where they needed “all hands on deck.”
©Detention Films
So, they threw me in it and, I believe in the scene this character has a bazooka arm or a cannon arm that blows through a door and steps in dramatically. That was the shot where I got to wear
the suit. Then shortly after that, I did another one with another friend, Preston Altree, from that same production. He directed a short film called NIGHT LIGHT and had me play the monster. So it all started with the team of THANKSKILLING. Jordan Downey, Kevin Stewart and Preston Altree. Those were the beginnings of it. Then it just snowballed from there.
CG/KU: That’s cool it happened from you being there at the right place and right time and it grew out of that. When you were working on THANKSKILLING 3, what was going through your mind in the suit? Was there a moment where you said to yourself, “this is what I want to do for the rest of my life?”
AM: No. I’ve never been the type where… there’s no magical light bulb moment for me where I say to myself, “I want to do this!” or “This inspired me to do this!” You know a lot of people will have one particular movie that inspires the rest of their career. Mine was just kind of my path from childhood to adulthood.
CG/KU: You mentioned you do a little bit of editing on television shows?
AM: Yup! I’ve been working in post-production, professionally, in Los Angeles since 2007.
CG/KU: I feel that’s a very cool and important skill to have if you’re going to be both in front of and behind the camera. I think it’s very important for artists to get their hands in a little bit of everything when it comes to the world of film.
AM: Especially as a filmmaker. I think it’s, in my opinion, the most valuable tool to be filmmaker. You know how it’s going to be put together in the end. So, when you’re writing and directing on set, and shooting, you know what to shoot for. While I was on the set of THANKSKILLING, I was just having fun. When I wrapped, I was working on THE X FACTOR for Fox and it was a very tough, grueling production. I was working in post on that and the hours and the days were unbearable. So, the act of going to South Dakota to edit on set for a fun movie like THANKSKILLING 3, versus a very difficult production for a singing competition show. I was just excited to be part of something so different and, in my opinion, more enjoyable.
CG/KU: Yeah, of the two, I think from the way how you described it, I probably would’ve had more fun on THANKSKILLING.
AM: I mean, one of them obviously paid a lot more money. (laughs)
CG/KU: (laughs) For sure! Sometimes it’s the gigs that don’t pay as much that stick with you in the long run, just from the positive memories.
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AM: Memories and friendships. I stay in touch with Jordan and Kevin all these years later. They ended up calling me for a film they made last year, V/H/S/BEYOND. They directed one of the segments, they called and asked “Hey we need some creature actors. Do you want to be in this?” I was like, “Hell yeah! Many, many years later, we’re still in touch and working together and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
GG/KU: That tends to happen. There’s going to be a few projects throughout your life where you meet people, and they end up being lifelong friends. I’ve gotten to know you and be friends with you post GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS. So, I have some questions…
AM: So, you have a lot of questions PRE-Godzilla?
CG/KU: Actually no. Most of my questions are POST-Godzilla!
AM: Aww, so post our friendship. (laughs)
CG/KU: (nervously) Yeah, yeah. I’m going to go into the Godzilla stuff first and then
dive into your other projects. So… I know this sounds cliché but, how did you get
involved in GODZILLA 2: KING OF THE MONSTERS?
AM: Initially I was recommended by The MoCap Vault to audition. I submitted my reel. I had multiple auditions. I had an in-person meeting with the director, the VFX Team and producers. I think I had two video submissions. At this point it’s hard to remember because this was in 2018 when I filmed that.
CG/KU: Most characters that creature actors portray do not have multiple heads. What
were the challenges with having to portray a character with three heads?
AM: Challenge is an interesting word because, we didn’t find it difficult. Everybody knew that Ghidorah was going to be three actors, Jason [Liles], Richard [Dorton] and I. I don’t think we had a challenge working with each other because all three of us were creature actors. That’s what we do. We play
monsters. The three of us just clicked really well and connected as one giant three headed monster.
CG/KU: Being that you were recommended by the MoCap Vault, was it intimidating to work alongside Richard Dorton as one of the heads?
AM: No, it was fun. It was a blast because we got along so well at the MoCap Vault and it just came naturally for us to get along then. Even since then, we’ve become the closest of friends. We’re a family now. It’s been a great ride working with Richard from then until now.
CG/KU: Yeah, I’ve noticed that the two of you have worked together since then on other stuff, including being in TV commercials. What were some of those other collaborations?
©Monster Maxson Productions
AM: Yes, Richard and I, we have continued our acting journey together (laughs). He had a cameo in ALIEN PLANET. So, in ALIEN PLANET, Richard plays a character named “K’veen” which is a nod to his character “Kevin.” “Kevin” was the name director Michael Dougherty affectionately gave to King Ghidorah’s left head that Dorton played in G2: KOTM. Since then, this joke has been made viral, producing many memes.
In ALIEN PLANET, K’veen lays dead on the ground after being shot by the character, Prefect Lukon. And in the script, I actually wanted that cameo to be three characters. I wanted it to be myself, Richard and Jason. I planned and I wanted to have all three of us lying on the ground dead and have Richard’s tongue hang out like “Kevin.” But, because of scheduling and booking, Jason was not available. So, I thought it would be pointless to have myself in there if it’s not all three of us. I was needed in bigger places as the director of the film. Because of that, I ended up with just Richard. But I wanted to make a nod to that Ghidorah meme.
CG/KU: Oh man, that’s a shame!
AM: And then I worked with Richard again! We worked on a Visa/ NFL commercial while promoting The Steelers. I played Young Steely and Richard played my dad, I guess Mr. Steely? (laughs) Not to be confused with the actual Steely. So, this is basically the backstory of the mascot. I play the young version. I’m aspiring to be the mascot. I’m buying products to make my own costume. I’m in my bedroom making the costume and Richard, who plays my dad, is at first trying to convince me to get back to work at the steel mill. But, then he sees me making my suit and is very proud of me. Then it cuts to Steely, as the real mascot, out on the field in front of thousands of people, and Richard is in the audience as proud as can be. That was such a fun commercial to do with him because it was just ridiculous and we had a great time doing it.
CG/KU: I got to see that commercial. It was a lot of fun to watch and I’m sure it was a lot fun to make.
AM: It very much was and very hot because we were out in the middle of the desert, in the mascot suits.
CG/KU: I’m sure this has been asked ad nauseum in regards to, GODZILLA. What were the different characteristics you guys came up with for each head of King Ghidorah and were those character traits something you discussed and agreed upon all three of you together? How did you come up with the different personalities?
AM: Michael Dougherty came up with those ideas. He, even early on before we were cast, I think in my initial meeting/ interview, if I recall correctly, he told me, “We have a different personality for each head.” Now, he didn’t tell me which head he was anticipating for me. But, I kind of knew it because there was the curious, the alpha, and the angry. Based on my previous work as monsters, I was like, “I bet he wants me to be the angry one. I know it!” Because, all of the stuff in my reel was very violent and bloody monster attacks. And I was right, that’s what he wanted.
CG/KU: Was Michael Dougherty a pretty easy-going guy to work with?
AM: Oh, he was amazing! When we were on set we collaborated with him on literally everything. He showed us the pre-vis for each stunt and fight scene in every single shot. We’d go through it, he would critique, give direction, and we’d do it again. He was wonderful to work with, very kind and he knew the franchise very, very well. I thought they chose the perfect director for that film. Even when we wrapped shooting, he would take us into the editing bay, we met the editor, and he showed us some footage. He asked for our opinions. He was very open, kind and collaborative.
CG/KU: It’s funny, I actually got to see a little bit of the Antarctic pre-vis from the corner of my eye when I was on that set for 2nd unit filming.
AM: Wow! And that was before we were brought on board.
CG/KU: Yeah! I was there in Atlanta in the summer of 2017. They used an abandoned factory just outside of Atlanta in a town called Norcross. Just reading the sides, I got so giddy that Ghidorah was going to be part of the first American Godzilla sequel. Just excited at the thought that a general audience was going to see the first American interpretation of that character. What did you think of the final film?
AM: I personally liked KOTM and I’m not sure what the audience feels of that interpretation of Ghidorah but, maybe you have some insight. I hope that they bring Ghidorah back someday and I get to work with Richard and Jason again and do Mecha-Ghidorah or a reborn Ghidorah. Who knows? It’d be fun to get back into the Godzilla world. I mean, how long has it been? Seven years or something like that?
GC/KU: Absolutely! Especially with that post credit scene with Charles Dance finding the decapitated head in Mexico. There’s so many possibilities. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of King Ghidorah.
AM: I always laugh at public opinion because people hate on the 1998 American GODZILLA. But…. I actually really like that movie!
CG/KU: …This interview’s over!
At this point in the interview, Alan and I laughingly went into a comically passionate debate on Tri-Star’s 1998 GODZILLA. All in good fun of course. After several minutes, the dust finally settled, and we continued.
CG/KU: I think the first time you and I got to work together was on a segment that I shot for the horror anthology AMITYVILLE APARTMENT. I cannot thank you enough for coming on board considering how everything was so rushed.
AM: But you’re a great director. I had fun man! It was a good shoot!
CG/KU: Thank you. And thank you for coming up with the idea of using the arm
extensions for the demon. I remember on set you had mentioned that you, Richard,
and some of the other mocap guys would go out to the beach to work out with the arm
extensions. To get used to them. Is that something you guys do on your spare time
often?
AM: I’ll go out, at least, once a week out on the trails and go three miles on the quads. We used to, during the pandemic, when there wasn’t a whole lot happening. We had hard core workout sessions that included hikes and trails and going in the ocean and push-ups and planks using the arm extensions. At one point, a couple of us, tested our limits to see how far we could go without
standing up on our human legs. So we went to the hills in Altadena and we quadded ten miles.
CG/KU: Oh my God! That’s insane!
AM: It was a hell of an accomplishment. I’m so glad we did it. Maybe we’ll do it a third time?
CG/KU: Once you removed all the gear, did you feel any of that? Was your body sore?
AM: Oh yeah. You’re working out every muscle in your body. So, you feel it for sure.
CG/KU: I… kind of want to do that with you guys but… I don’t know if I’ll be able to hack it.
AM: You should just try it, just don’t hurt yourself. (laughs)
CG/KU: I want to make a correction. I think you and I had worked together before AMITYVILLE APARTMENT. It was for TRANSMISSION and ALIEN PLANET. I think ALIEN PLANET overlapped with AMITYVILLE APARTMENT because they were around the same time.
AM: You did! You did the voice over for one of the trailers.
CG/KU: I know that you were inspired by films such as ENEMY MINE. For our readers, tell us about ALIEN PLANET and what your goals are with it.
AM: ALIEN PLANET is a story about two alien species that have a long history of hatred and prejudice. Two members of their individual races are stuck on a planet together and they don’t get along. But at a certain point, they have to in order to overcome stuff. It’s kind of a battle… essentially in the end, they’re both trying to get water for their planets because, water has become scarce. It’s a story with a lot of social commentary. There’s a lot of alien puppets and blood. It’s a very action-packed sci-fi adventure. It very much has vibes, like you said, of ENEMY MINE, STAR TREK, ALIEN NATION, V the Mini-series. And, I guess a little TWILIGHT ZONE-y as well. Certainly some Rod Serling vibes.
CG/KU: Right before you mentioned that, TWILIGHT ZONE did cross my mind. There’s some movies now that kind of beat you over the head. It comes across as disingenuous. I always believe that social commentary works best when it’s subtle. I feel that the best genre to tap into social commentary IS horror and science fiction.
AM: Absolutely. I’m very proud of it! I would love to do more! I have a prequel and sequel stories plotted that I’d love to make.
CG/KU: Yeah, I hope it comes to fruition because, just watching the trailer, it looks
exciting. I love the character of Giree, I thought it was adorable.
AM: (laughs) Giree is modeled after my cat Zira.
CG/KU: It was fun doing the voice over for that trailer…
AM: Yeah, you did SO well that, I actually had a hard time knowing the difference between yours and the one that was released for promotion (laughs).
CG/KU: Oh man! …well I wanted to thank you for that opportunity because I was able
to use that trailer for a couple of voice over gigs.
AM: That’s awesome! And that’s exactly what I wanted too. Anybody that paid attention during my campaign when raising money, THAT was the goal. I wanted ALIEN PLANET to help all of the backers as well. Whether to use it to get producing credit to get more work or something to add to your reel, that was the whole point of the voice over perk. I wanted it to help you guys because, everyone who did a voice over, helped me to get the movie made. So, in return, I really wanted the goal to be so that you can use it to book future work. That makes me very, very happy because then the goal was successful.
CG/KU: Thank you. I’m still using it. I wasn’t able to go to the premiere because I was working on another gig. How were the reactions at the premiere?
AM: It went great! It’s nerve wracking playing a movie in front of all your peers and friends but it was a blast. The biggest reaction we got was the amount of blood. We used an obscene amount of blood. I think the audience really enjoyed that because I remember hearing audible reactions anytime there were big gushes.
CG/KU: So what’s next for you?
AM: There is a movie coming out this summer on Shudder called MONSTER ISLAND (aka ) ORANG IKAN. I’m very, very excited for this movie to come out. I spent 32 days in the jungles of Indonesia filming this.
CG/KU: That is so cool!
AM: I was wearing probably my favorite monster suit to date, created by Allan B. Holt. The shoot was just jam packed with stunts; choreographed fight scenes both in the water, on dry land, and at a water fall; we did wire work where they flung me very high in the air. It was a damn blast!
CG/KU: Really looking forward to seeing that. Alan, thank you so much for doing this
interview.
AM: I had a blast. It was great catching up with you. And all you 98 haters…leave it alone!
