Makeup Effects — Stan Winston School of Character Arts Forums https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:52:43 +0000 en Makeup Effects — Stan Winston School of Character Arts Forums Prop of a stump https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12440/prop-of-a-stump Wed, 24 Jun 2026 20:09:31 +0000 Makeup Effects Bathoryfx 12440@/discussions
I may need an help from you!
I need to recreate the stump shoulder of Freddy Krueger in Freddy vs Jason, but I've never done anything like that before. I have done body silicone props so the sculpture and the pouring/painting process is ok for me, but never done a silicone prop reusable which can be attached to the shoulder with a string or something.
I'm not sure of how should I make the sculture and the mold. The guy asked me to making it "that can be slipped on like a sock" and i'm thinking what can I use? 
Here are the references:


Thank you so much in advance for your help!!!


]]> Vampire teeth https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12402/vampire-teeth Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:58:04 +0000 Makeup Effects Bathoryfx 12402@/discussions
A client asked me to do a customized vampire teeth for a project. I was thinking to do something similar using B-Form plastic sheets that I have in my lab, but i'm not sure how to achieve that result.


I was thinking to cover the dental positive with B-Form, then working directly on top with dental composite. I could try the same method I use for full dentures (sculpting, doing the negative mold and then use dental acrylic to fill the mold and close it with a positive of the teeth with B-Form on top, but I think it's a waste of products... I'm trying to stay as low budget as I can for this commission! 

Do you have any tips?

Also, I've notice that even if I use dental plaster for the positive of the teeth, it breaks very easily. Is there a resin not so expensive that I can use for the positive mold?

Thanks !!!]]> Dick Smith Basic 3-D Makeup Course Question - Is it still active and worth taking? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12424/dick-smith-basic-3-d-makeup-course-question-is-it-still-active-and-worth-taking Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:43:05 +0000 Makeup Effects Jason Keller 12424@/discussions Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice from anyone who has taken Dick Smith’s Basic 3-D Makeup Course or Advanced Professional Make-Up Course, especially in recent years.
I recently emailed about enrolling in the Basic course but haven’t heard back yet. The website is still online, but checkout was having issues stating "No shipping method has been selected. Please double check your address, or contact us if you need any help". ( This is Missouri trying to ship to) so I’m trying to confirm if the course is still actively accepting students and if the assignment reviews/critiques are still happening. Thank you.



]]> Help!! Bondo transfer https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12406/help-bondo-transfer Tue, 05 May 2026 11:14:45 +0000 Makeup Effects Bathoryfx 12406@/discussions ]]> Werewolf teeth https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12392/werewolf-teeth Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:50:45 +0000 Makeup Effects Bathoryfx 12392@/discussions Let me know what do you think!
]]> Prosthetic on a tattooed skin https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12367/prosthetic-on-a-tattooed-skin Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:32:31 +0000 Makeup Effects Bathoryfx 12367@/discussions
What do you think?for ]]> How to make Vampire teeth without a full dentures https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12360/how-to-make-vampire-teeth-without-a-full-dentures Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:47:18 +0000 Makeup Effects Bathoryfx 12360@/discussions
I followed the course to make teeth and dentures, but I was wondering how can I make vampire fangs withour making a full dentures. i need them for a vampire look, but I'd like to make only the fangs, like fang smiths/tooth capsule, using dental acrylic. Is the procedure the same as the dentures (but skipping the gums part) or is there something different? Do they stay on without the gums?

Thank you so much in advance!
I need to do them by the 24th of January!]]> Getting younger https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10181/getting-younger Wed, 14 Dec 2022 06:52:15 +0000 Makeup Effects Darrell Green 10181@/discussions First time Blood rig! Neck Bite https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12338/first-time-blood-rig-neck-bite Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:51:26 +0000 Makeup Effects Bathoryfx 12338@/discussions I've recently got a job for a short movie, and the director asked me a blood effect. A person with a lion mask (with sharp teeth) bite a girl between her neck and her shoulder. The director wants a very gushing blood, like kill bill style, but the budget is low and I don't have a pressure system to use. Can I use a big syringe? or maybe a garden sprayer?? We will shot this scene with the male actor on his backside so the tube will stay on the actress' s back. 
It's my first time do a blood rig gag (i followed the course and I assisted at a neck wound gag during my trainee). All the suggestions and tips are welcomed!! :smiley:
Also I don't know the amount of blood needed to be honest. He wants to do the spray blood and then a close up on the bite wound with a bit of flow.

Thank you!!]]> Why is my foam latex shriveling up when demolding? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12252/why-is-my-foam-latex-shriveling-up-when-demolding Sun, 26 Oct 2025 21:44:15 +0000 Makeup Effects g00slyme 12252@/discussions
-Speed 1, 30 sec: mix initial ingredients
-Speed 5 (max), 10 min: whip air into mixture to form merengue-like consistency
-Speed 2, 3 min: de-ammonize and refine
-Speed 1, 30 sec: add gelling agent
-Speed 1, 1 min: incorporate gelling agent

Then, i high-pour into the negative shell mold, use a chip brush to get it into the nooks and crannies, place the positive mold in, and clamp down with wood and strap. I let it gel for around 20 minutes, until it has a soft spongy texture (i test the texture with the overflown latex. when depressed, it doesn’t bounce back into the original shape). After that, i put it in the oven for 2 hours at 170 degrees fahrenheit. When i took it out, the spongy texture now bounces back elastically into its original shape. I then immediately demold while it’s still warm. However, when i remove the prosthetic from the mold, the whole thing shrivels up and seems to collapse in on itself. The texture is super soft and nice, and it stretches extremely well, so it doesn’t seem like the mixing went wrong. I think it might have something to do with the gelling period, or the baking period. The only obvious mistake that jumps out at me was the fact that i removed the strap and wood before putting the whole thing in the oven, so i thought the foam might be shifting and expanding around inside the mold, leading to this effect. The first photo below is from my initial results after demolding. 

I tried the exact same process again. The only differences I made was the fact that i let it gel for around an hour, and then i put it in the oven with the strap and wood still secure. I put it in the oven for 2 hours at 170 degrees. When that was done, i rotated it 180 degrees horizontally to more evenly heat the whole thing. I left it in there for around 30-45 mins more. When i took it out, all of the overflown latex was very soft and elastic. However, when i demolded it, it shriveled up again. The second photo is from my second attempt. What is going wrong here? I only have enough materials for 1 or 2 more runs, so i want to try and nip this in the bud. Any tips? Photos below:



]]> Edible fake meat/organs? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/3889/edible-fake-meat-organs Wed, 11 Oct 2017 23:17:29 +0000 Makeup Effects Tanuki McLarnon 3889@/discussions
I know tinsley did some edible stuff on that new show but I'm sure he is not sharing the recipe on that. But any thoughts on how it was done would be great.

Thank you.]]> Information regarding mechanical undershells for makeup https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12209/information-regarding-mechanical-undershells-for-makeup Fri, 03 Oct 2025 03:19:43 +0000 Makeup Effects Paramount_22 12209@/discussions Hello, this is my first post on the forum and I thought I would ask around to know if anyone has any information about the production process for mechanical undershells in regards to make up effects. I have scoured all the lessons and while the lessons on how to create fiberglass shells for animatronic characters, animatronic heads and character mechanisms all gave me the laydown on the basics, no lesson seems to cover this branch of make up effects with elaborate mechanisms working underneath the prosthetic appliance, at least so closely to a performer's face like in these images I obtained from a few blog posts here aside from bladder work which is not what I am looking for. If anyone has any reading, video guides, or documentation on the process to create something like this it would be greatly appreciated.
For the project I plan to do something like this with it involving a small mechanized piece, think a small mandible or antenna that would be a simple joint attached to a servo with a limited range of motion, and I just can't imagine how to attach a moving mechanized piece so closely to an actor's face without the use of an undershell or harness. For what I have in mind, a larger helmet-like harness would not work as the actor's face would need to be visible. Are these undershells simply strapped tight to the actor's heads using something as simple as an elastic strap or are they glued down? How do I ensure the excess weight of the mechanics don't cause the appliances to warp or buckle after being adhered to the skin? Would I simply mount the finished mechanism on top of the shell which is then adhered to the actors face or do I create the shell with space for the mechanism to fit through? Questions like these are what is bounding around in my mind for weeks and I am just not sure how to find information on it, as google searches fail to provide anything of substance or even relevance. Honestly any information would be a blessing. I appreciate anyone going out of their way to reply to me, even if info is scarce.
]]> Ron Swanson Impersonation Cosplay Costume / Nick Offerman Impersonation Cosplay Costume https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12175/ron-swanson-impersonation-cosplay-costume-nick-offerman-impersonation-cosplay-costume Mon, 30 Jun 2025 03:38:27 +0000 Makeup Effects Darrell Green 12175@/discussions

]]> Vacuum Form Teeth https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12184/vacuum-form-teeth Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:32:37 +0000 Makeup Effects TJ_OBrien83 12184@/discussions
Thanks in advance  
]]> face forms for facial hair piece prep and transport/storage https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12176/face-forms-for-facial-hair-piece-prep-and-transport-storage Tue, 01 Jul 2025 22:34:01 +0000 Makeup Effects Darrell Green 12176@/discussions
My ideas so far are:

1) Cutting the rubber face off a beauty school manny head

2) Using the old fashioned wax and plastic sheet drawing tablets I had as a kid, came with a stylus and you pressed down to stick the plastic to the wax, making your drawn line which then "erased" when you lifted the plastic sheet

3) gluing the window gel stickers to a clipboard

4) Using a crochet hoop and a set of pinback hat pins or stud earrings


]]> Tinting Foam Latex https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/7327/tinting-foam-latex Thu, 30 Apr 2020 04:25:01 +0000 Makeup Effects Kevin Beganovic 7327@/discussions Thank You,]]> Recipies https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/9370/recipies Sat, 08 Jan 2022 04:52:30 +0000 Makeup Effects Tom Ripberger 9370@/discussions Phantom Frights - Short Film - Makeup and Effects https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12131/phantom-frights-short-film-makeup-and-effects Fri, 23 May 2025 11:18:52 +0000 Makeup Effects Mike McCoy 12131@/discussions  


]]> Busted Eye Silicone Prosthetic https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11980/busted-eye-silicone-prosthetic Mon, 05 May 2025 13:37:18 +0000 Makeup Effects Mike McCoy 11980@/discussions

]]> Blending Transfer Edges https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11977/blending-transfer-edges Sun, 04 May 2025 14:15:00 +0000 Makeup Effects TJ_OBrien83 11977@/discussions
Thanks in Advance…..TJ 
]]> Comic Con SFX Panel https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11865/comic-con-sfx-panel Thu, 06 Mar 2025 02:53:19 +0000 Makeup Effects Danni Guyer-Baker 11865@/discussions
My local Comic-Con have asked me to host a 45min SFX panel. I was going to go through products, techniques to make prosthetics and finish with a live make-up demo.

Does this sound good, should I add or change something?

Any advice would be appreciated. 

Thank you,

Dan]]> Silicone adhesion issues https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11876/silicone-adhesion-issues Sun, 30 Mar 2025 16:46:15 +0000 Makeup Effects Sahlah Tepes 11876@/discussions
I'm having problems getting silicone prosthetics to stick using Telesis 8 for silicone.  I've seen other types of silicone adhesives but "m really not sure which ones would work best.  Would love any advise from other silicone users on what works best for them on areas of face and neck, high movement areas.  ]]> Werewolf Makeup - Short Film Shots https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11869/werewolf-makeup-short-film-shots Wed, 12 Mar 2025 13:18:56 +0000 Makeup Effects Mike McCoy 11869@/discussions  


]]> Fard Cream Alternatives? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11838/fard-cream-alternatives Thu, 02 Jan 2025 16:32:27 +0000 Makeup Effects Timothy Cole 11838@/discussions DIY "Bulging" Parts https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/8295/diy-bulging-parts Mon, 01 Mar 2021 01:15:07 +0000 Makeup Effects Gary Tucker 8295@/discussions What should I make my mold out of? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11855/what-should-i-make-my-mold-out-of Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:40:50 +0000 Makeup Effects Nat_nightvisionz 11855@/discussions Thanks so much for this website and general knowledge sharing it’s fantastic and appreciated!! 
Best 
Nat
]]> Making your own makeup? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11836/making-your-own-makeup Tue, 31 Dec 2024 19:37:56 +0000 Makeup Effects Timothy Cole 11836@/discussions Question about Bald caps https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11828/question-about-bald-caps Mon, 09 Dec 2024 12:35:27 +0000 Makeup Effects Sofi Lapsiuk 11828@/discussions P.S. girl with a tattoo and piercing is first appliance, Feyd-Rautha is second)]]> Reference Images https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11811/reference-images Fri, 15 Nov 2024 08:35:45 +0000 Makeup Effects Denise Haywood 11811@/discussions Good day, all, I am completely new to Special Effects Makeup.  I am doing mostly first aid / medical scenario makeups.  I have the Special effects guide of real human wounds and injuries as a Reference, however, what I am looking for is reference images of a sudden natural death (body found about 10-20min after) cause of death heart failure.  I am not getting good search hits and those I do get does not show the face as that is the main part I need to make up and the hands.  Does anyone have a good reference source you can suggest or share.  Thank you kindly    

I've added two looks I've tried out.  No idea if they look realistically accurate.  I used SUPRACOLOR Bruise and Black Eye pallet mostly. With a white base for the face.

]]> Silicone Burn Prosthetics https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11810/silicone-burn-prosthetics Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:52:20 +0000 Makeup Effects Mike McCoy 11810@/discussions The forehead piece was pinned down in her hair with bobby pins to avoid having any glue in her hair and it worked nicely. I added Vaseline at the end for some gruesome detail :) ]]>