An emerging name in the make-up and effects scene, Kate Ingram has made a name for herself on the heels of several acclaimed and highly effective titles to her name. Now, in honor of Women in Horror Month, I talk with her about her early interest in the genre, getting into the industry, and some of her past projects.
Me: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this. First off, when did you get into horror in general? What films specifically got you into watching horror movies?
Kate Ingram: I started watching horror around the age of five. Some of the first films I watched, that were (and still are) my favorites, are The Poltergeist, Gremlins, and The Thing. And I can’t forget the first half of the Child’s Play franchise. We had a My Buddy doll that I would torment my older brother with. My mom was a huge Stephen King fan. So there are a lot of Stephen King movies on that list as well!
Me: When did you initially discover a passion for special effects and make-up? What aspect of this industry appeals to you?
KI: From a young age, I was fascinated with practical effects, and I desired to learn more. When I was a teenager, I would watch tutorials and practice on myself. When I was about 15 or 16, I started doing bigger stuff and working on others. That’s when I figured out just how much I loved it.
Me: Upon entering the Tom Savini FX School, was there any kind of push towards a specific style or format?
KI: I have always been a massive fan of comic books. While attending school, I noticed most of my projects were heavily influenced by comic books. I created a lot of my favorite characters and tried to create some that did not have film adaptations as well.
Me: Having worked on both shorts and feature-film productions, what difference have you noticed in the preparation required for each one?
KI: Personally, I feel like they are fairly similar. But if I had to pick a difference, it would be the type of kits I need. The shorts that I have worked on were for a 48-hour film contest. I learned that both kits and absolutely everything that you can take are a must. I have my main kit that has everything for horror and basics for beauty. My second kit revolves around beauty makeup. If I were to do a 48 again, I would be grabbing both of these. I would include about three tote bags of random things that could be useful. For a feature film, I am much more organized. There is a lot more time for planning and to go over the script. This allows me to fix my kit accordingly. So there is no need for an excess amount of materials that you may not use. Both require a lot of work but are still very fun and rewarding.
Me: What would you consider your favorite part of the process involved in effects work? What part do you dread having to do?
KI: I love sculpting; I can (and do) get lost in it for hours. No matter what I am creating (practical effects, looks, busts, or masks) it makes my heart happy.
Something I do not necessarily hate, but I am not fond of, is the cleanup. Especially on the last day at a location, it is usually done swiftly. On my ride home or when I get home, I’ll be talking to myself… “Did I grab that?”… “Oh no, did I throw it out?”… “Did I check the ceiling for blood splatter?”… so much anxiety when leaving in a hurry.
Me: What did you go through in a typical day on set? What type of priorities and tasks do you go through to ensure a successful day of filming?
KI: A typical day started with me setting up my station, followed by a morning meeting. Sometimes there would be a request that I would get started on right away. But the meeting was important for gathering information to help you plan your day. For example, if there were 2 artists and someone needed 12 zombies by 1. We knew what to expect and how much time we could spend on each. Planning the workload you have for the day helps you know what takes priority and helps you meet all of your goals that day.
Me: That brings us to your latest project, "Grind." What can you tell us about the film?
KI: Grind is a horror comedy that was filmed in Irwin/McKeesport, Pennsylvania. There is still a bit more filming planned. Because it is not out yet, I do not want to say too much; no one likes spoilers! But I will say this, I am so excited for this film. I do not think I have ever been this excited to see something I worked on. This film is fun and hilarious. It is overflowing with great ideas and amazing talent from all.
Me: How did you initially come to take this position? What were you originally tasked with doing for the film?
KI: I promote my work online (Facebook/Instagram). I happened to live in McKeesport at the time. The director reached out because he liked my work and I was local. I was asked to be one of the lead special effects artists, and I made props for some gruesome practical effects.
Me: What was the set like while shooting the film? How did the cast and crew react to the type of film being made?
KI: Incredible. The director was wonderful and an absolute pleasure to work for. The cast and crew were so much fun, and my God—THE TALENT. Watching the actresses/actors in action sent so many shivers down my spine. Each and every person was so kind too. It was a group of truly amazing individuals.
Me: Do you recall having any odd or funny on-set stories about yourself or any of the other cast/crew members?
KI: This set was so much fun constantly. But I think my favorite memory was when I told the one actress I was going to put some tooth stain on her teeth. The face she made had both of us laughing so hard. The thirty-second job turned into two minutes of attempts and laughter.
Me: How do you keep your creative energy flowing?
KI: I get inspiration from anything. I enjoy reading, playing video games, and being in nature, and those are some of my biggest inspirations. I will try to create things I see and imagine when I am immersed in one of those. I’ll add my own little twist to everything so it has my touch as well. Unless my task is to replicate something, of course. It’s about noticing the small things and appreciating them. They could turn into something amazing; inspiration is everywhere and in everything.
Me: What else are you working on that you’d like to share with our readers?
KI: I am also working on personal projects for my own business, Final Girl Effects. My goal is to start building up a little inventory for some of my work (collectibles including masks, busts, prosthetics, and more) I will be attending conventions and putting them on my website to sell. I will continue to look for more film opportunities as well.
Me: Lastly, being that this is our Women in Horror Movement, what special message do you have for any women out there looking to join in the industry in any capacity as you are one yourself? Thank you again for your time!
KI: Do not give up, EVER! At 15, this was my goal: to create things and to work on films. It took almost 13 years, but I did it. Life might get in the way sometimes, but you power through it and make it work. I did it, and I know you can too. It is worth the wait. Your talent will not go unnoticed! J
Thank you so much for this again! It was a lot of fun! J
This interview ran as part of our 2025 Women in Horror Movement series. Click the banner below to check out all the featured interviews in this series:
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