Making Monsters: Howard Berger on the Art of Screen Make-up

Oscar- and BAFTA-winning make-up designer Howard Berger brought decades of creative expertise to Talamasca at Space Studios Manchester. With a career spanning iconic productions including The Chronicles of Narnia, Evil Dead 2, From Dusk Till Dawn and Hitchcock, Howard has helped create some of the screen’s most memorable characters and creatures.

We caught up with Howard to discuss the monster movie that inspired his career, what a make-up designer really does, the importance of building a brilliant team, and why the best screen make-up is often the work audiences never notice.

How did your career in film and TV start?

I grew up loving monster movies since I was old enough to sit in a theatre. My father was a post-production sound editor and mixer, and his love of films rubbed off on me. I was hooked when I saw my first monster film, George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead.. It scared the hell out of me, and I loved it.

I knew there were people who made those monsters, and I wanted to learn all I could about them and how they did it. This was long before there were schools, or obviously the internet, so I had 2 magazines that inspired me.

The first was the original one, Famous Monsters of Filmland. Forrest J. Ackerman was the editor and a total fantasy, horror, sci-fi fan, so this magazine was right up my alley. Then in the late '70’s, Fangoria magazine was born, and that blew my lid off as it featured so many articles about monster makers and movies. I cherished every issue.

Tell us about the role of a Make-up Designer, what does your day look like?

I always focused on being a monster maker, but about 15 years ago I realized I needed to step back and learn how to do regular make -up – like beauty and men’s grooming. If I was going to survive, I needed to be more well-rounded. Plus, I wanted to be in charge of the entire department. Not just makeup effects, but be hired to do the entire thing.

In the States, it’s different from the UK. There is a delineation between makeup and hair. We are part of the same union, Local 706, but we do different things, and a make-up artist can’t do hair and vice versa. I asked lots of questions, watched my fellow artists work, and learned all I could to become a great HOD.

When I worked on TALAMASCA in 2024-2025, I added hair to my bag of tricks, and I was smart as I hired an amazing team that could do anything. If there was something they did not know how to do, I taught them, and now they are all triple threats as they can run circles around anyone. I’m so proud of that team!

What do you like most about your job?

My favourite part is coming to work and seeing my friends. The work is the work, but the camaraderie is what it is about for me. 

Which projects have been highlights in your career so far?

I loved working on THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. Hitchcock with Sir Anthony Hopkins. Early career films like EVIL DEAD 2, ARMY OF DARKNESS, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN are some of my favorite films as the memories of the fun are still so strong. I love to have fun!

What does your role involve from pre-production through to the final day of filming?

It’s a matter of reading the script, meeting with the director to hear what they are thinking, bringing my own ideas to the table, and then prepping and shooting. I like all the processes, but I love to be on set working hard. I love to work as it can be so fulfilling most of the time.

How closely do you work with the director, costume designer and actors?

Very closely. Of course, the director is about the creative, the producers about the financial. I always start a show by going to the costume designer and seeing what they are thinking so I can spin off of their creative energy and make sure our departments are one and the work and characters we help create are all under the same umbrella.

On TALAMASCA, I was lucky enough to team up with Molly Roe, who I adore and would be happy to work with forever. She is so collaborative and brilliant. She made every day a complete joy, and that is exactly what it should be.

As for the actors, I always say we bring a certain amount of the character to the table and they bring the rest. I can have a great makeup on a so-so actor and it won’t work, but when we both work as a partnership it is pure magic! Working with Antony Hopkins was the perfect storm. I felt I did a very good job on the film and Antony, of course, killed it and brought Hitchcock back to life. Plus we have a lot of laughs on that show. He has a great sense of humor and is mischievous as I am.

How has screen make-up changed during your career?

It’s changed heaps. I mean, the advent of digital is the biggest. On film, we could get away with more imperfections, but now that damn camera sees more than my own eye.

When audiences watch your work, what do you hope they notice, and what do you hope they never notice?

I hope they don’t notice anything and just enjoy what they are watching. If there is something I did that makes the storytelling stop and the audience goes, “hey, that’s a great makeup or effect”, then I did not do my job, which is to contribute to the filmmaker’s vision and not to override it or distract from it.

What’s your experience of working at Space Studios been like?

It was great! I loved every second!! Everyone that works there is so professional and lovely. It’s a great space and a pleasure working there

What are your favourite things about Manchester as a city to live and work in?

I love walking, and it is a great walking city. To tell the truth, we Yanks always thought Manchester was an industrial city, but it is so much more than that. Great restaurants, shopping, and the Christmas fair is GREAT! I found myself walking the streets and seeing the sights, smelling the scents, and eating and drinking everything to experience it all. Plus I went to many football games! I can't say who I favored as I have good mates on both sides so I'll just stay neutral and enjoy the Guinness and games! 

What advice would you give to a young person wanting to get into the industry?

Well, it depends on what they want to do. One needs to make sure it is what they really want to do. It’s a career, and you have to be serious about it. Be prepared to work hard, long hours, and be kind to everyone. You create a family on a show, so it’s important to help one another and always be ready to do what is asked of you.

What’s the most recent project you’ve worked on?

I just completed a small, low-budget film called YOUTH JUICE. It was the first time I’ve done something so small and with very little resources, but I loved the script, the director, and the 2 main actresses, so I said, why not now? I asked my good friend, Oscar-winning makeup artist Joel Harlow, to do the film with me, and it was a blast!!! A bunch of age makeups were done on these two lovely 20-something actresses who need to age to around 90 years old in the film. It was fast and furious, but so fun, and I learned a lot about this new world of filmmaking. See, old dogs can learn new tricks if they put their minds to it.

What do you wish you had known when you were starting out?

How wonderful everything is and how much fun I would have the rest of my life. Also, as I get older, I wish I did not worry as much about things that don’t matter at all. If you have a crap day, the next one will be better. And you always have your team at your side, as I had on TALAMASCA. I just love those ladies. They taught me so much about everything. They are the very best.

Which films and TV shows are you currently recommending?

I loved WIDOW’S BAY on Apple TV. All three seasons of INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE are incredible. EUPHORIA Season 3 blew me away. I am still thinking of Rue…. I loved THE OYDESSY and OBSESSION. I love revisiting older films as I watched INTERSTELLAR last night, and it was beautiful. There are many films coming out this year that are exciting.

I feel we have a slate coming up, and the industry is getting back to work and on its feet. I do hope I get to come back to Manchester to do another show as I did love it there, and I miss all my friends at Space Studios!! Thanks for the opportunity to chime in about my experiences!