How to make braaaaiiiiins!!!
January 1, 2012 7:54 AM   Subscribe

I would like to make zombies for a living. How can I start learning this from home?

I love special effects makeup. To the point that I will be distracted from a plot because I'm trying to figure out "How did they do that?!" I've gathered some information on college courses in the bigger Canadian film cities (TO, Vancouver) but I'm way out on the east coast and financially more school isn't an option just now. I also know that a lot of artists started in their garages or basements making up their own exploding aliens before getting any kind of official instruction. So for now, that is the route I'd like to take. What I'm looking for from you fine people is resources (free or cheap) or personal experiences, and if there is any place in Halifax that would be worth exploring?

Thanks!
posted by Carlotta Bananas to Education (3 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Have you searched youtube for tutorials? I know there are TONS of makeup tutorials for everyday-type makeup; I would guess that there are a bunch for special effects makeup as well.
posted by insectosaurus at 8:04 AM on January 1, 2012


I've seen ads for a tv reality contest on the scifi channel called "Face Off" that probably has hints.

Do you have an arts background/education? Makeup is just a special case of painting techniques (blending, dimension through shading). If not I expect most of the techniques will follow from some basic painting classes.
posted by sammyo at 8:18 AM on January 1, 2012


This interview with Bobbie Weiner, aka Bloody Mary, may be helpful and/or inspirational to you. She has a line of make-up and you might find some more helpful info by Googling her for tips or more YouTube advice.

Also, are there any local theater groups in your area? I learned a lot about special effects and such by working at a theater for free or for peanuts. Did get a chance to see the guy who had done special effects for one of the Godfather movies when I was in college, which was awesome. So if there are any lectures in your area, you might look at traveling just for a lecture (as opposed to paying for a college course).

The Godfather guy told us how he did bullet holes: paint a circle of latex on the skin. Pull the top open with your fingernail or the tip of a knife and fill with fake blood (using a dropper). Glue a piece of fishline into the top of the circle while you're glue it back shut. Then run the fishline down into the person's sleeve. When they get shot, they pull the fishline and wham! Bullet hole spurting blood.

So he had spent hours doing some guy who had to get shot up big time. After he was done, he was walking down the stairs, and a woman said, "oh hey, you have a thread hanging out of your sleeve." And then she pulled it and all his bullet holes exploded.

Good luck! You could be the next Bloody Mary!
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 1:19 PM on January 1, 2012


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