Scare tactics: Vandergrift man key figure in Kennywood's Phantom Fall Fest
Nick Kardos of Vandergrift gets paid to be creepy.
Kardos, 31, was inspired by horror classics including “Night of the Living Dead” and experienced a creative drive as a youngster growing up in Oklahoma Borough.
He has worked seasonally for 13 years as a special effects supervisor and as a “rover” — a costumed character who roams around the park to frighten guests during Kennywood’s annual Phantom Fall Fest.
Kardos is a 2010 graduate of the Douglas Education Center Tom Savini’s Special Make-up Effects Program and a 2009 Kiski Area High School alumnus.
“I had two days off after graduating high school, and then I went to Savini’s,” he said.
As a child, Kardos was curious about how the Hollywood movie industry executed special effects.
“I remember my dad telling me, ‘That’s just chocolate syrup (referring to blood in scenes) in the movies,’ ” Kardos said.
His mom, Beverly Kardos of New Kensington, discovered a stack of pictures drawn by Kardos as a child.
“I thought he had been tracing drawings,” she said. “Then he said he thought the drawings up in his head, and I asked him to do a drawing spur of the moment, and he did. We then realized his talent.”
Not sure where her son’s love of scary things originated, Beverly has encouraged his artistic expression.
“He has many talents that are still being discovered, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him,” she said.
Kardos leads a creative team of 16 makeup artists at Kennywood.
Co-worker and fellow makeup artist Amanda Cline of Pittsburgh came to the job without any experience in the makeup profession.
“His knowledge was so invaluable, and it was never condescending but always uplifting,” Cline said, “It’s one of the main reasons I love coming back and working on new projects — knowing I have somebody that will push me to learn new skills.”
Kardos’ goal is to work full time in the special effects industry. He works at Kennywood from June to November and in the hospitality industry during the park’s offseason.
Kennywood makeup manager Chris Pope of West Mifflin described Kardos’ special effects and makeup skills as extraordinary.
“His education at Tom Savini’s art school made him a triple threat at Kennywood,” Pope said. “He plays a huge role in the creation and performance aspect of Phantom Fall Fest, and I’m excited to see him in action this year.”
Kardos creates his own silicone masks, multipiece prothestics and props for the Fall Fest.
“They’re easy to breathe in, but get very hot,” he said.
“The best part is my co-workers. We’re like family,” said Kardos, who often roves Kennywood as Sparky the Clown.
Bryan Wilt of Pittsburgh has worked alongside Kardos for more than a decade.
Wilt, aka Cupcake the Clown, said he and Kardos have developed a reputation as an inseparable duo of terror.
“Cupcake and Sparky strike fear into our guests with our combo of chainsaws, sliding, silliness and surprise attacks,” Wilt said.
The team has witnessed Kennywood guests respond to their frightening antics in sometimes embarrassing ways.
“Bring a change of pants, just in case,” Wilt said.
Jessi Showalter of Vandergrift is engaged to Kardos and shares living space with some of his creepy creations.
“It’s always Halloween living with Nick,” Showalter said. “All of his creatures line the shelves of our house.”
Showalter once had silicone zombie fingers get stuck in her hair. But she’s happy to accommodate her fiance’s artistic pursuits.
“It’s nice living with him whenever I see something I want,” Showalter said. “He’s able to make anything from furniture to decor.”
Kardos makes several new masks annually and has added a 3D printer to his production process.
“I can sculpt one in about three days, then it’s six days to take it from mold to cast,” Kardos said.
The materials for each mask cost about $400.
“I’d like to get into a shop making props, especially with the movie business here in Pittsburgh,” Kardos said.
The Kennywood gig has helped to build Kardos’ portfolio.
“I feel relaxed, and it’s a Zen thing for me,” he said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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