Mike Tristano
Crew
Although he himself denies it, Mike Tristano is a nearly legendary figure in the world of independent cinema and "B" movies. His body of work as an armorer, on-set weapons handler and special makeup effects artist is truly amazing, and some of the low-budget films he has written and directed have become underground cult classics. He is the only "true" non-union supplier of movie weaponry and armorer services, historical and military props, special makeup FX and weapons-related effects. Always believing that independent and low-budget filmmakers should have access to the same quality of weapons and special makeup effects for their films as the major studios, he always made his services affordable and still maintained top quality in his work for them. His incredible and ongoing number of credits, and his sterling reputation, are undeniable testimony to that fact. He spent several years bouncing around the world as a "hired gun," working with various military intelligence agencies, and as a weapons advisor, K&R negotiator, and Executive Security Consultant, before going into the film business full time.
Known for
Crew62
movieOjai
2025
Armorer
movieWanted
2025
Armorer
movieGold Diggers
2024
Armorer
movieDirty Cops
2024
Armorer
movieWanted Man
2024
Armorer
movieOne Ranger
2023
Armorer
movieThe Last Deal
2023
Armorer
movieInsight
2021
Armorer
movieRogue Warfare
2019
Armorer
movieCuck
2019
Armorer
movieCam
2018
Armorer
movieDownrange
2018
Armorer
movieGone Are the Days
2018
Armorer
movieWithin
2016
Armorer
movieSniper: Special Ops
2016
Armorer
movieAdulterers
2016
Armorer, Special Effects Coordinator
movieThe Lotus Gun
2015
Armorer
movieEchoes in an Empty Apartment
2014
Stunt Coordinator, Special Effects
movieThe Den
2013
Armorer
movieDark Power
2013
Armorer
movieHit & Run
2012
Armorer
movieSmall Apartments
2012
Armorer
tvEpic Rap Battles of History
2010
Weapons Master
movieThe Sex Files 2: A Dark XXX Parody
2010
Special Effects
movieMegaconda
2010
Thanks
movieOperation: Tropical Stormy
2009
Weapons Master
movieAngel of Death
2009
Armorer
movieCharlie Valentine
2009
Weapons Master
movieFatal Secrets
2009
Armorer
movieBlack Widow
2008
Armorer
movieAlien Raiders
2008
Armorer
movieStarship Troopers 3: Marauder
2008
Special Effects
movieDepth Charge
2008
Armorer
movieNecessary Evil
2008
Armorer
movieDrive Thru
2007
Special Effects Coordinator
movieCrash Landing
2006
Special Effects
movieSnoop Dogg's Hood of Horror
2006
Special Effects
movieKomodo vs. Cobra
2005
Armorer
movieD.E.B.S.
2005
Special Effects, Armorer
movieTarget
2004
Armorer
movieLoaded
2004
Armorer
movieHatchetman
2003
Special Effects Technician
movieThe Job
2003
Special Effects Coordinator
movieThe Secret Cellar
2003
Armorer, Special Effects Coordinator
movieSlaughter Studios
2002
Armorer
movieNaked Eye
2002
Armorer
movieHearts & Minds
2002
Special Effects, Armorer
movieProject Viper
2002
Armorer
moviePython
2000
Weapons Master
movieDirt Merchant
1999
Weapons Master
movieLove and Action in Chicago
1999
Special Effects Coordinator
movieBlood Dolls
1999
Weapons Master
movieTrading Favors
1997
Weapons Master
movieThe First Man
1996
Special Effects Coordinator
movieThings
1993
Special Effects, Makeup Effects
movieHellroller
1992
Makeup Effects
moviePledge Night
1990
Special Effects
Directing13
movieCannibal Taboo
2006
Director
movieThe New Neighbors
2006
Director
movieSavage Season
2001
Director
movieNever Look Back
2000
Director
movieThe Ultimate Prey
2000
Co-Director
movieDark Nova
1999
Director
movieWasteland Justice
1999
Director
movieWarrior of Justice
1995
Director
movieBody Count
1994
Director
movieThe Flesh Merchant
1993
Director
movieCyber Seeker
1993
Director
movieDemon Lover
1992
Director
movieFeast
1992
Director
Costume & Make-Up12
movieStar Trek: The Next Generation - A XXX Parody
2011
Special Effects Makeup Artist
movieShark Swarm
2008
Special Effects Makeup Artist
movieLost Voyage
2001
Special Effects Makeup Artist
moviePerfect Murder, Perfect Town: JonBenét and the City of Boulder
2000
Special Effects Makeup Artist
movieDemolition University
1997
Special Effects Makeup Artist
movieSilent Lies
1996
Special Effects Makeup Artist
movieCyberella: Forbidden Passions
1996
Special Effects Makeup Artist
movieThe Lord Protector
1996
Special Effects Makeup Artist
movieSnapdragon
1993
Special Effects Makeup Artist
moviePsycho Cop Returns
1993
Special Effects Makeup Artist
movieRelentless 3
1993
Special Effects Makeup Artist
movieCyber Seeker
1993
Special Effects Makeup Artist
Acting7
movieGod Bless America
2012
Shady Gun Dealer
movieCannibal Taboo
2006
Billock
movieSavage Season
2001
Spider
movieThe Ultimate Prey
2000
Man in Black
movieWasteland Justice
1999
The Stranger
movieBody Count
1994
Roman Valentine
Writing5
movieSavage Season
2001
Writer
movieThe Ultimate Prey
2000
Screenplay
Production2
movieWasteland Justice
1999
Producer
movieThings
1993
Producer
Art1
movieShelter in Place
2021
Property Master