THE BEAUTY MAKER

Filmmaker Cindy Cullom has spent over three decades in the film industry. And early next year, she takes on directing her first feature.
Cindy Cullom began her career in the film industry as an actress and has worked with some of our greatest visionaries like Stephen King, David Lynch and William Peter Blatty. Over time, Cindy has taken her passion for film and the horror and sci-fi genre to new levels. From acting to Special Effects, the journey later led to producing and early next year she will put on the hat of Director. Everything is unfolding just the way it should.
At a bustling cafe in trendy East Hollywood, Marie Westwood sat down for an inspiring chat with Ms. Cullom.
 

On set of Tune In Tomorrow

Marie Westwood: I’m curious to know how you got started in the industry. Would you share with us a little about that?
Cindy Cullom: I went to college in Wilmington, NC and in 1984, a production for a film called The Fix had come to town to film at race car driver, Hoss Ellington’s home. A friend of mine, who was working on the production, set up a meeting for me. After having met with the producer, Ervin Melton, I landed my first role. On the film, I became friends with Hollywood great, Vince Edwards (Ben Casey), and a wonderful gentleman and dear friend to this very day, Charlie Dierkop (Police Woman, Bonanza). 
After we wrapped filming on The Fix; Vince,his wife Sandy, Charlie and I went out to dinner and during that dinner, Charlie told me how it was not a far fetched dream to want to make films. Many people around me had laughed at me for even considering that and had told me to get my head out of the clouds. That night my new friends shared with me that Dino De Laurentiis was building a film studio in Wilmington, and told me to get in on the ground floor while it was all starting up. Vince and Charlie inspired me, by opening my eyes to what was possible. And with all the ‘me too’ horror stories of today, I could not have asked for a better introduction to the industry.  Last year, a friend of mine, Actress, Eileen Grubba, reconnected me with Charlie. Thirtyfour years later, I was able to tell him how much I appreciated, that when I was a young, naive and impressionable girl, he treated me with such respect. Charlie Dierkop, is the epitome of the word gentleman, and I will always treasure our friendship.
The studio was built; DEG Studios, which is now EUE/Screen Gems, and I was right there ready to go. And you know what? I had no clue what I was doing, but there I was! And so many big productions filmed at those studios. I am so grateful to have gotten to work with some of the most amazing people in the industry on some fantastic films, such as Stephen King on Firestarter with Drew Barrymore and Heather Locklear, as well as his films Cat’s Eye and Silver Bullet.
I worked with David Lynch on Blue Velvet starring Isabella Rossellini and Laura Dern. I absolutely loved working with Alan Alda on Betsy’s Wedding along with his star filled cast including Samuel L. Jackson, Catherine O’Hara and Joey Bishop.

On set of Betsy’s Wedding

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From the cult classic,The Exorcist III where I played one of the infamous George Washington University hospital Nurses.

MW: Who and what inspired you to go from acting to all of a sudden start making creatures and special effects?
CC: I met E.T creator, Carlo Rambaldi on the set of Silver Bullet. A friend of mine had told me earlier that if Carlo asks about E.T, to tell him I loved it. Carlo walked over and, indeed, asked: “Did you see E.T?”  I said “Yes.” He said “Did you cry?” I said “Yes.”
He smiled at me and went back to work.
From that day on, Carlo and I became great friends. One day he told me that he would show me how he had come up with E.T. He sat down with me and started drawing a picture of his cat and how that progressed into becoming E.T. I had no idea at the time, just how special that was and what an impression that had on me. Carlo inspired me through his talent, skill and generosity to venture into the world of creature making and practical effects. I have a lot
to thank him for.

OWN CREATION MOVINF ALIEN

MW: Who and what inspired you to go from acting to all of a sudden start making creatures and special effects?
CC: I met E.T creator, Carlo Rambaldi on the set of Silver Bullet. A friend of mine had told me earlier that if Carlo asks about E.T, to tell him I loved it. Carlo walked over and, indeed, asked: “Did you see E.T?”  I said “Yes.” He said “Did you cry?” I said “Yes.”
He smiled at me and went back to work.
From that day on, Carlo and I became great friends. One day he told me that he would show me how he had come up with E.T. He sat down with me and started drawing a picture of his cat and how that progressed into becoming E.T. I had no idea at the time, just how special that was and what an impression that had on me. Carlo inspired me through his talent, skill and generosity to venture into the world of creature making and practical effects. I have a lot to thank him forFrom the cult classic,The Exorcist III where I played one of the infamous George Washington University hospital Nurses.

Cindy adding finishing touches to her alien on set of Crossbreed with Vivica A. Fox and Daniel Baldwin.

​MW: You began producing films as you were also the effects artist. How did that come about? CC: Well, those who know me know that I’m not one to sit back and be quiet when I see something that needs fixing. A problem would come up and I kept coming up with solutions which then earned me a producer credit. Soon after I was brought on to projects as
producer. I started producing for the production company, Seraph Films and have worked with them on several award winning projects. I love being a part of a film from concept to completion. MW: You work closely with Nvisionate studios as producing partner and will not only serve as executive producer but also director on the film, The Newcomers, which will be filmed on the lot. What’s The Newcomers about? CC: So much great stuff is coming out of Nvisionate Studios! This is such a great time to be a filmmaker and I love being a part of the Nvisionate family! The Newcomers is written by award winning screenwriter, Joe Wakefield. It is a beautifully written story set in the near future when the world is co-run by aliens; The Newcomers. They have arrived to help save (us and) the planet. Together with the government, The Newcomers have put new regulations in place for dealing with the overpopulation of earth. At the center of the story we find Amy (played by the phenomenal Jannica Olin) and her husband David, who are faced with the decision to sacrifice their desire to start a family in return for a secure future by taking Step 2; a process of becoming sterile. If they go ahead with Step 2 they can later provide Amy’s sister, Carrie (played by Lauren Taylor) with the opportunity to have a child. But unbeknownst to Amy, Carrie makes a choice of her own and it has dire consequences. Together with our Director of Photography, Andria Chamberlain, we are going to create a stunningly colorful world which will be the backdrop to our futuristic world. The controversy of the story will be brought to light in a comedic way by the talented Tanya Gorlow and Edward Gusts. I have so many talented cast and crew members lined up. I am very fortunate to have them all along on this journey! And to be able to produce this film with Nvisionate is a dream. MW: I’m so intrigued. I can’t wait to watch it! And a little birdie told me that you already have another project lined up for when The Newcomers is complete. Can you share about that or is it secret? CC: Not at all. After The Newcomers we will begin pre production on the anthology series, Dream Themes which Jannica Olin is signed on for as well. We are looking to create an ensemble cast for the series, much like what Ryan Murphy has done with American Horror Story; where the core cast get to take on and play vastly different characters. In our case it will be episode to episode as opposed to season to season. I couldn’t be more excited.

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