LAYTON—Some of the best films out there that stand the test of time do so, not only because of their writing, and content, but also because of their outstanding visuals. Beaches were empty following “Jaws,” audiences were stunned at the lifelike dinosaurs in “Jurassic Park,” and who could forget the time a scrappy group of disgraced scientists defeated the “Staypuft Marshmallow Man” in “Ghostbusters”? 

In the world of computer-generated imagery, practical effects like these may seem like a lost art, but there are a select few artists like Troy Larson, and Dani Hatch at Unworldly, who have dedicated themselves to not only preserving this art, but helping others to not only see how it was done, but to do similar effects themselves, and the results are, well, unworldly. 

Stepping through the door of the Unworldly Exhibit is stepping into not one other world, but several. Guests can take a tour, and step out of the Layton Hills Mall, and into a fantasy tavern, complete with several dragons. These dragons, once stars of the now-defunct Evermore Park, now have a permanent home at Unworldly, along with some other creations that, without the behind-the-scenes explanations thereof, could be downright terrifying. 

Stepping into Unworldly is almost like stepping into another world, like this tavern set at the beginning of the tour. Photo by Braden Nelsen

From the dragons and goblins of fantasy to the demons and zombies of horror, Larson and his team have had their hands in a lot that goes on in the film and live production scene in Utah, and beyond. They recently created effects for the horror film, “V/H/S/99,” and showcase many of them as part of the tour. As trite as it may seem to say, “There’s something there for everyone,” there genuinely is something that everyone who goes to Unworldly will enjoy. 

Larson, who got his start at Rocky Point Haunted House, always wanted to do more, to go bigger, “I wanted to do big creatures,” and he certainly has. In addition to amazing creatures fabricated for Evermore, Larson has done puppetry, costumes, and animatronics that range from Jabba the Hutt of “Star Wars” fame to the golem that stands near their location in the Layton Hills Mall, “Some of my stuff is all over the place,” he said.

Unworldly isn’t just about showcasing the amazing things Larson has made, however. The exhibit also hosts workshops: everything from watercolor and plushie making to clay sculpting and liquid latex application and building, “We can adjust,” Hatch said, adding that they have “A lot of flexibility in what we do.” For anyone with a creative mindset, Unworldly is a haven, and it seems like the arts community in Utah is responding to just that.

“We have a network of people we work with,” said Larson, and from the visitors they’ve had, that’s putting it lightly. Industry professionals who have worked with “Lord of the Rings” to Universal Studios, to the cult classic, “Troll 2” have all commented on Larson’s work, and how important that kind of work is, not just to film or live performance, but as an art in and of itself. No matter how good computer graphics become, practical and live effects will always look more real.

“Whether consciously or subconsciously, people know,” said Larson, and it’s true. The films that have stood the test of time like those listed above relied heavily on practical effects, and Larson sees that people will return, and are returning to that, “It’s starting to come around,” he said, pointing to the recent “Dark Crystal” series on Netflix. He may well be on to something, as Tim Burton was also recently reported to have said they would be relying on practical effects in the upcoming “Beetlejuice” sequel. 

Casts of actors’ faces, and molds thereof make creating custom-made, perfectly fitting masks and prosthetics a much smoother process. Photo by Braden Nelsen

While a newspaper article is insufficient to outline exactly what it is that Larson, Hatch, and others do when it comes to practical effects, Unworldly goes a long way to pulling back the curtain and making it a more accessible art form. There’s no better way to understand Unworldly than to simply visit. More information on tours, pricing, workshops, even private bookings can be found at www.unworldlyexhibit.com.