Mike Tristano
- Known for
- Crew
- Born
- March 17, 1960
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.
Filmography

Ojai 2025
Armorer

Wanted 2025
Armorer

Gold Diggers 2024
Armorer

Dirty Cops 2024
Armorer

Wanted Man 2024
Armorer

One Ranger 2023
Armorer

The Last Deal 2023
Armorer

Shelter in Place 2021
Property Master

Insight 2021
Armorer

There's No Such Thing as Vampires 2020
Armorer

Attack of the Unknown 2020
Armorer

Cuck 2019
Armorer

Rogue Warfare 2019
Armorer

Cam 2018
Armorer

Downrange 2018
Armorer

Gone Are the Days 2018
Armorer

Within 2016
Armorer

Sniper: Special Ops 2016
Armorer

Adulterers 2016
Armorer, Special Effects Coordinator

The Lotus Gun 2015
Armorer

Echoes in an Empty Apartment 2014
Special Effects, Stunt Coordinator

The Den 2013
Armorer

Dark Power 2013
Armorer

Hit & Run 2012
Armorer

God Bless America 2012
as Shady Gun Dealer

Small Apartments 2012
Armorer

Star Trek: The Next Generation - A XXX Parody 2011
Special Effects Makeup Artist

The Sex Files 2: A Dark XXX Parody 2010
Special Effects

Megaconda 2010
Thanks

Operation: Tropical Stormy 2009
Weapons Master

How to Be a Serial Killer 2009
Armorer

Angel of Death 2009
Armorer

Life Is Hot in Cracktown 2009
Armorer

Charlie Valentine 2009
Weapons Master

Fatal Secrets 2009
Armorer

Black Widow 2008
Armorer

Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge 2008
Armorer

Alien Raiders 2008
Armorer

Starship Troopers 3: Marauder 2008
Special Effects

Depth Charge 2008
Armorer

Shark Swarm 2008
Special Effects Makeup Artist

Murder 101: The Locked Room Mystery 2008
Armorer

Necessary Evil 2008
Armorer

Drive Thru 2007
Special Effects Coordinator

Cannibal Taboo 2006
as Billock, Director

The New Neighbors 2006
Writer, Director

Crash Landing 2006
Special Effects

Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror 2006
Special Effects

Nightmare Man 2006
Armorer

Komodo vs. Cobra 2005
Armorer

D.E.B.S. 2005
Special Effects, Armorer

Target 2004
Armorer

Loaded 2004
Armorer

Hatchetman 2003
Special Effects Technician

The Job 2003
Special Effects Coordinator

The Secret Cellar 2003
Armorer, Special Effects Coordinator

Slaughter Studios 2002
Armorer

Naked Eye 2002
Armorer

Hearts & Minds 2002
Special Effects, Armorer

Project Viper 2002
Armorer

Epoch 2001
Armorer

Lost Voyage 2001
Special Effects Makeup Artist

Savage Season 2001
as Spider, Director, Writer

Python 2000
Weapons Master

Never Look Back 2000
Director

Perfect Murder, Perfect Town: JonBenét and the City of Boulder 2000
Special Effects Makeup Artist

The Ultimate Prey 2000
as Man in Black, Screenplay, Co-Director

Dirt Merchant 1999
Weapons Master

Love and Action in Chicago 1999
Special Effects Coordinator

Blood Dolls 1999
Weapons Master

Dark Nova 1999
Director

Wasteland Justice 1999
as The Stranger, Producer, Writer, Director

Demolition University 1997
Special Effects Makeup Artist

Trading Favors 1997
Weapons Master

Silent Lies 1996
Special Effects Makeup Artist

The First Man 1996
Special Effects Coordinator

Cyberella: Forbidden Passions 1996
Special Effects Makeup Artist

The Lord Protector 1996
Special Effects Makeup Artist

Warrior of Justice 1995
Director

Body Count 1994
as Roman Valentine, Director

Snapdragon 1993
Special Effects Makeup Artist

Psycho Cop Returns 1993
Special Effects Makeup Artist

Things 1993
Makeup Effects, Special Effects, Producer

Relentless 3 1993
Special Effects Makeup Artist

Cyber Seeker 1993
Director, Special Effects Makeup Artist

The Flesh Merchant 1993
Director, Story

Hellroller 1992
Makeup Effects

Feast 1992
Director

Demon Lover 1992
as Rick, Director

Pledge Night 1990
Special Effects
Credits from TMDB.