Remembering Camden Toy

Last week, I learned that a friend of mine in Los Angeles has been secretly battling cancer since 2020. While I completely support anyone's decision with what they share and do not share, especially about health matters, this came as a shock. He was no longer able to comminicate, so the annocument was made on his behalf and to let people know that he was near the end. A few days ago, he passed and is no longer in pain. 

I met Camden Toy while living and working in special makeup effects. The first monsters I design for Buffy the Vampire Slayer was the Gnarl demon for season 7. The actor to play the roll was Camden, and he soon became a frequnt visitor to the shop. He was kind, gernous, feriendly, funny, and an all around amazing human. This, this is all just so horribly sad. He was truly a good person. I had the pelasure to design several of the monsters he portrayed. Near the end of my time in LA, I was lucky enough to apply his makeup for a movie, while in my own makeup for the same movie, and then we got to run around and play zombies in the movie together. I have some really nice memories of Camden, but for now, I need to hold them close.

The Gnarl demon - Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Makeup design by me/portrayed by Camden Toy

The Prince of Lies - Angel

Makeup design by me/portrayed by Camden Toy

The Bloated Choppers zombie (me) and unnamed zombie (Camden)

Makeup design for both by me/Camden's makeup application and paint work by me

That is all for today. See you back here tomorrow. Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Bloated Choppers - my life as a zombie

Felt like switching it up this morning. I am in the middle of several projects which are all screaming for my attention. I thought something fun (for me at least) was in order for the blog today...

I bring you a look back at my life as a zombie named Bloated Choppers on the set of All Souls Day: Dia de los Muertos. I'm in the credits! You can check and see that they misspelled my name... again... You might remember seeing a photo of me as the zombie before but I have some images I have never shared.

RAWR! I'm a ZOMBIE! I was responsible for the design, paint work and performance.

The zombie I was portraying was invisioned as having been a drowning victim that floated around for a while becoming swollen and rotten before being reanimated. Fun times! I worn lip retracters most of the time while in the makeup to give the proper look. By the end I got so use to pulling my lips back that I could do it without the retracters. I also usually had a mouth full of black cake icing to add to the drooling wreck that was my zombie face.

Two zombies are better then one! RAWR!

I am pictured above with my friend Camden Toy, I worked with Camden on both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. It was nice to be in front of the camera with him for once. On the last day of shooting I was able to do Camden's makeup (pictured above) and if that isn't enough, I did it while in my makeup.

Danny Trejo RAWR!

YES! The actual real life Danny Trejo. He was totally awesome to work with and a cool guy that has seen and done a lot in his life. He had a million stories and was ready for the camera on a moments notice. A real pleasure to be able to say I worked with Danny.

OM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM RAWR!

Spoiler alert! I eat people as a zombie. I also did all my own stunts and go shot a couple of times. There is even a little thing about me in the extras on the DVD if you are so inclined to watch it.

He coming to get you, Barbara...

I spent my 3oth birthday on the set of All Souls Day: Dia de los Muertos as Bloated Choppers and would not change that for anything.

That is it for today. As long as all goes according to plan I will be back here on Friday with something new! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com