In the new film The Grey, members of an oil-rig crew survive an airplane crash in the frozen Alaskan wilderness, only to face Mother Nature and a pack of terrifying wolves. Howard Berger and his team from KNB EFX Group, Inc. were tasked with bringing these wolves to life.

Berger recently answered five questions regarding his latest adventure, including whether he's any match for Liam Neeson, who plays lead character John Ottway:

1. What was the director's vision for the wolf designs? Did he want them stylized or exaggerated in any way?

Howard Berger:[The director] Joe Carnahan approached this film like Jaws. He wanted the baddest, biggest, meanest wolves ever, and that is what we gave him.

2. How much lead time was your team given to create the various wolf puppets?

HB: Not much at all as we were hired in November and we shipped in January. We had a crew work through the Christmas holiday to get everything completed. 

3. What were some challenges working with the puppets or applying make-up in such harsh conditions?

HB: [These were] the worst conditions I have ever worked in in my life. I have never been so cold. I am cold just thinking about it now! It was very difficult to stand and walk in the snow, let alone do make-ups, dress blood and puppeteer. We should all get badges that say, "We survived The Grey!"

4. Were there any shots that were originally designed for CGI that you proved could be done practically?

HB: Joe wanted to shoot everything practical and then augment accordingly, which he did. We did everything he could think of to avoid CGI, only due to cost, as it was a small budget. Gunnar Hansen was the CG supervisor and a great guy who I thought did an excellent job on the CG wolves.

5. Liam Neeson vs. KNB wolf. Who wins?

HB: Liam will always win, as he can kick my ass!