Crew Profiles; Marlan “Tiny” Proctor-Sets, Props & SFX

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Local 490 has some of the best crew in MN on our roster. They have worked on features, short films and commercials. They are on the top tier in the MN film industry. In this series, Crew Profiles, we are highlighting our union members on our roster. Next up, Local 490 member Tiny Proctor. He is a specialist in building sets, props and SFX.

1) Tiny, tells us about you and what you do in Film and TV?

I have been working in film, TV and still photography since 1994 and in special effects since 2011. I’ve had a shop in North East Minneapolis in the Casket Building since 2006. In this shop, I’ve cranked out many sets, props and art over the years.

Tiny Proctor, Film & Still Photo SFX, Set & Prop Specialist.

Tiny Proctor, Film & Still Photo SFX, Set & Prop Specialist.

2) Tell us about your new SFX gear that you’ve acquired?

I recently acquired most of Big Steve’s SFX shop. So I have new rain, fire, fog and snow equipment and can create many effects. I have 2 large rain towers that each cover a 75 foot wide area along with 5 firefighter nozzles and 1000’ of firehose. I can connect to fire hydrants and water trucks. I can load that into my 600 gallon cistern or I can syphon from a pool or lake with 3 different pumps. I also have more than a dozen smaller rain towers and rain bar options. For fog, I have 10 different fog machines from small, concealable ones to the giant Igeba gas powered foggers and dry ice pots. For fire effects I have many flame bars and I can make custom rigs. For snow, I have different types of snow machines and even some air squibs. If I don’t have it, I can get it or figure it out.

Tiny on set with the Make-A-Wish company as they create a kids St&r W&rs fan film.

Tiny on set with the Make-A-Wish company as they create a kids St&r W&rs fan film.

3) Who is calling you for this work?

I the past few months I have worked on; a feature on the North Shore and a local TV show, where we created a rain effect over a road and with moving cars. I did a Make-A-Wish film with a debris explosion and some music videos with flying debris, fog and smoke, blood and gunshot squibs. Before that I did the SFX on the HBO pilot, Mogadishu, MN.

Rains towers on the feature film, Abroad, currently in Post Production (photo by Matt Roy, 2021)

Rains towers on the feature film, Abroad, currently in Post Production (photo by Matt Roy, 2021)

4) Can you see other places you want to go with your business?

My time working on projects in Minneapolis has taught me to work with people of varying experience in diverse disciplines. I am comfortable managing a small or large crew or, more often, working with other departments to create seamless, safe and beautiful projects. I also have experience with firearms and pyrotechnics and am seeking certifications for both as an armorer and pyro-technician. Here is a link to a flamethrower rig that I made for Hormel Chili, https://vimeo.com/350014039 For fun, I create fire effigies and am a fire dancer and performer. I perform locally and at Burning Man.

Tiny performing as a fire dancer & breather.

Tiny performing as a fire dancer & breather.

5) Do you have any hopes for the new Minnesota film incentive?

I think the new film incentive will bring some larger projects into Minnesota. There are many people in IATSE 490 with deep experience in film making and I believe we can shine as a quality destination to produce excellent films, television and ads.

6) How long have you been a member of Local 490?

I joined IATSE 490 in 2019.

Local 490 is proud to have members like Tiny Proctor, Dieter & Evonne Sturm on our special effects roster. All of these union members are the best in their stagecraft. You can find out more about Tiny’s work at his website.

Please support our film industry by hiring members like Tiny Proctor and shooting your next production on a union contract. In doing so, you are getting the best crew in Minnesota, your project will be safe, well run, your crew will be professional. You will be paying the crew good wages, supplying workers comp, unemployment insurance and even retirement benefits. This supports our union brothers and sisters before, during and after your project. Contact our business agent at this email, businessagent@iatse490.net, to find out more about shooting union.

If you would like to be featured in Crew Profiles, pls contact Mark Wojahn in the social media committee, or email him at socialmedia@iatse490.net.