Orlando mask maker faces MegaCon appearance
Few things in cinema are as iconic as Jason Voorhees’ hockey mask. The villain of the “Friday the 13th” movie franchise didn’t acquire his famous face wear until part three of the series in 1982, but since then it has become a staple of American horror.
Yet the mask’s biggest impact might be on Orlando resident Rick Styczynski. Last year, the bartender and DJ launched 13X Studios, where he makes custom masks inspired by the movie. In addition to selling through his online Etsy shop, Styczynski will be at Artist Alley at comic-book convention MegaCon (May 25-28 at the Orange County Convention Center; tickets and packages at megaconorlando.com).
“I’m a huge Halloween guy,” says Styczynski, 44, of the holiday. “I wished I could do something through the months to make Halloween part of my life.”
The 6-foot-3-inch Styczynski often chose Jason’s imposing frame for costume parties. The character has been a favorite of his since childhood. “Just the look,” Styczynski says.
The idea for the business came when Styczynski posted some pictures online and someone offered to buy one of his homemade costumes. After starting with designing masks to look like particular entries from the films, he began exploring other characters. “I really brought Jason to a whole new level,” he says.
Styczynski divides his creations into five categories: pop culture, music, sports, zombies and the original Jason. The once humble, blood-splattered hockey mask has been transformed into comic book characters such as Deadpool and Spider-Man, rock stars David Bowie and Eminem and even real-life villains including John Wayne Gacy and Charles Manson. Other scary movie scoundrels such as Freddy Kruger and Hannibal Lecter have had their portraits turned into masks.
A former professional poker player, Styczynski never received any artistic training. “I can’t draw,” he admits.
Although not an artist, he says his business is taking off. Styczynski launched 13X in November with a goal to sell 25 mask by February. He says he has already sold more than 500 and gets requests daily for custom characters.
Local comic-book store Gods & Monsters will begin carrying his product line this year. Styczynski sent one mask to filmmaker Kevin Smith modeled on the actor’s Silent Bob character from “Clerks” and other movies. Smith was such a fan, Styczynski says, that the director acquired the exclusive rights to sell them through his online store, Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash.
“I was always obsessed with masks,” says Styczynski. “You can buy it … and then run around and scare people. It’s incredible.”