WWE Firefly Funhouse Director Reveals Direction For Bray Wyatt’s Character

Bray Wyatt returned on Raw this week in a weird yet equally wonderful “Firefly Funhouse” segment. The character seems as if he is a child’s entertainer, but with a darker twist.

On the Wrestling Reality podcast hosted by Justin LaBar, Jason Barker, the director of the aforementioned “Firefly Funhouse” segments discussed what the process of creating the vignettes entailed, and what it is like to work with Bray Wyatt.

Barker spoke about his involvement in creating the puppets for the segment, and discussed what his inspiration was:

“I directed the segments. I helped create the puppets over at Tom Savini studios. Tom Savini, Pittsburgh legend. I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to be Tom’s right-hand man for about 6 years. He’s the guy who got me introduced with WWE and allowed me to run with it. It’s been a really fun experience ever since.”

Barker also spoke about how he wanted Wyatt to be presented as an over-the-top style monster, and how he was able to use aspects of his school education to help portray this:

“To me, personally, growing up before I got into special makeup effects I went to school for psychology. All the monsters you see in real life, they look normal. If you looked at a picture of Ted Bundy and didn’t know that was Ted Bundy, you would probably think that looks like a nice guy. I mean John Wayne Gacy was a pillar of his community. True monsters hide right out in the open. They look just like you and me. To me, that’s more terrifying than any monster you can see on a film.”

Jason noted that he was incredibly impressed with how involved Bray was with the character, and applauded the former WWE Champion’s creativity:

“Bray’s great, man. He’s intense. He’s always thinking. Then he’s thinking past what he’s thinking. What’s that old saying, ‘There’s a razor’s edge between genius and insanity’—that man walks that razor’s edge constantly. Very, very smart. Smarter than a lot of people give him credit for. Great to collaborate with. You think you’re going to throw an idea at him, he comes back with eight. You think you’re going to hit him up with a piece of trivia knowledge, he sees your trivia knowledge and raises you. He’s a unique, unique human being. Been an absolute pleasure and honor to collaborate with this gentlemen.”

Barker had such high praise for Wyatt, even likening him to some of the world famous actors he has worked with before:

“Someone who puts such a thought process into his craft. I’ve had the opportunity to work on films with Russell Crowe, and Tom Cruise and Will Smith and bunch of others working here in Pittsburgh film industry. His mindset for his character development is on par with those guys. It’s a sight to see and something to behold. I was thoroughly impressed with how much dedication he brings to his art and craft.”

Thanks to WrestlingInc. for the transcription.

Issue 9 of WrestleTalk Magazine is available NOW worldwide. Order your print or digital copy or subscribe to the next six issues at this link

• Director
• Firefly Funhouse
• Bray Wyatt
• wwe

Share this article with friends