Student Projects — Stan Winston School of Character Arts Forums https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/ Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:21:31 +0000 en Student Projects — Stan Winston School of Character Arts Forums The Ghost of Mammoth's Past (Short Horror Film) https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/12206/the-ghost-of-mammoths-past-short-horror-film Thu, 25 Sep 2025 10:52:36 +0000 Student Projects RoaringDinosaurs2901 12206@/discussions

https://youtu.be/-27j2Gwx4ek - This was a short horror film made using miniature puppets of mammoths against green screen. I posting this discussion in conjunction with halloween. Be warned, it's a scary piece of work and contains mature elements that are not for the faint of heart, so view at your own discretion.

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While the premise is loosely based on real fossil finds of mastodons killed by the tusks of a testosterone-pumped male, the story takes after the onryo (vengeful ghost) stories of Japan, whilst the atmosphere and a few scenes pay homage to the short story, 'Dracula's Guest'. Also been taking notes from @thewaltenfiles for some aesthetics.]]> [Post removed to protect unreleased project] https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11975/post-removed-to-protect-unreleased-project Sun, 04 May 2025 11:58:55 +0000 Student Projects Johnny Joelyn 11975@/discussions Suggestions on How to Mold without Losing his Fingers? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/11842/suggestions-on-how-to-mold-without-losing-his-fingers Thu, 16 Jan 2025 21:09:45 +0000 Student Projects Monika Salter 11842@/discussions I'm working on my first sculpt to mold project and I created this guy while watching Joru Schell's How to sculpt creature maquettes courses. He's pretty simple in shape and still a work-in-progress, but I know he'll be destroyed once I start the mold making process. Any advise on how to make sure the fingers mold successfully? Would a 1-part mold be a better option than a 2-part? I was planning on using silicone for the molding, but is there a better option? I'll take any thoughts, advise, suggestions or critiques you're willing to give!

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]]> How to make mold of human heart??? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10936/how-to-make-mold-of-human-heart Tue, 09 Jan 2024 07:55:28 +0000 Student Projects Astha 10936@/discussions Hi, I’m new to special effects makeup. I’ve recently sculpted a human heart out of water clay since wed clay is not available in my country. I’m having a difficult time making a mold of it given that it has a lot of undercuts. Can somebody help/guide how I can do that? Id be grateful. I’m sharing a picture of my sculpture as well. Thank you

]]> Rabid and Blind Trauma Resin Eyes https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10926/rabid-and-blind-trauma-resin-eyes Thu, 28 Dec 2023 12:18:27 +0000 Student Projects Mike McCoy 10926@/discussions

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]]> Animatronics, Help! Seeking Ideas for Computer Science Bachelor's Thesis with Animatronics https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10900/animatronics-help-seeking-ideas-for-computer-science-bachelors-thesis-with-animatronics Tue, 21 Nov 2023 09:13:47 +0000 Student Projects Erik Pettersson 10900@/discussions Hello everyone! I'm currently trying to come up with ideas for my final bachelor's thesis in computer science (embedded systems) and I would REALLY like to do something with animatronics (The whole reason I got into CS).

I can basically do anything related to computer science (and by extension; mechatronics). However, one criteria is that it has to have scientific value; meaning it either investigates or develops something new, or answers a question/solves a problem. Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance!
]]> How do i blend prosthetics into my model's facial hair. https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10355/how-do-i-blend-prosthetics-into-my-models-facial-hair Sun, 14 May 2023 16:59:59 +0000 Student Projects Arts University Bournemouth 1 10355@/discussions For my final project of this academic year i will be transforming my model into a spider. He has a goatee, and i want to apply the chelicera (mouth pincers) on the lower cheek, just above the moustache. There is a big chance that the prosthetics will blend into his moustache. I've tried researching products but most sites just say to shave it off (which he will not be doing). This is my model

The red circles show where i plan to apply the prosthetics and where his moustahce is.

These are the prosthetics i plan to apply (they have been flocked).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

)

]]> Cheap Eye Effect https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10256/cheap-eye-effect Wed, 19 Apr 2023 04:32:10 +0000 Student Projects Ohserase Hemlock 10256@/discussions
I got a question, my friend is a film student and he asked my help to do some makeup effects. Is a very short scene and it involves an eye popping effect. How can I achieve this effect with a budget between 10$ - 0$?]]> Finished Hungry Zombie Latex Mask https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10200/finished-hungry-zombie-latex-mask Tue, 24 Jan 2023 20:37:53 +0000 Student Projects Mike McCoy 10200@/discussions

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]]> Need help making a foam latex mold! https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10204/need-help-making-a-foam-latex-mold Wed, 25 Jan 2023 20:11:51 +0000 Student Projects conlevhof 10204@/discussions .
]]> Zombie Santa Claus- MageeFX Technique https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10177/zombie-santa-claus-mageefx-technique Mon, 12 Dec 2022 19:41:17 +0000 Student Projects Mike McCoy 10177@/discussions I'm super excited to share this and happy with the results!

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]]> Skinned Clown Mask - Personal Project https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10169/skinned-clown-mask-personal-project Thu, 01 Dec 2022 23:07:42 +0000 Student Projects Mike McCoy 10169@/discussions

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]]> Articulated Mask On A Budget https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/10166/articulated-mask-on-a-budget Tue, 29 Nov 2022 02:53:04 +0000 Student Projects Mike McCoy 10166@/discussions

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]]> Choosing an epoxy for a glowing knife https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/9384/choosing-an-epoxy-for-a-glowing-knife Wed, 02 Feb 2022 21:43:29 +0000 Student Projects Levi Harris 9384@/discussions

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]]> Sculptures with Animatronics https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/9380/sculptures-with-animatronics Sun, 23 Jan 2022 05:55:54 +0000 Student Projects Scarlettrust 9380@/discussions
I am a performance artist and sculptor. I study Art and Technology and Integrated Media at CalArts. I am trying to add animatronics to my sculpture practice. I posted on some facebook groups and they introduced me to the video courses here which have been very helpful. I have to really just get started at this point but there is something I don't quite understand. I think I need to tackle making the animatronics first such as mouth and eye mechanisms. Then I will worry about making the skeletal head and the silicone skin. Should I create a base and use a stand to mount the animatronics on? I'm not quite sure how to assemble them so that I can apply the silicone and have it stand upright. I hope my question makes sense. I'd appreciate any help and advice I can get.

thank you,

Christine

christinegaffney.com]]> Basics of Drawing Centor Sketch https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/9337/basics-of-drawing-centor-sketch Thu, 25 Nov 2021 22:19:14 +0000 Student Projects Shane Ellis 9337@/discussions did you do a centor? what did you do? and what did you learn?
]]> Seeking SFX Artist for UCLA Short Film https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/9141/seeking-sfx-artist-for-ucla-short-film Tue, 05 Oct 2021 15:16:35 +0000 Student Projects Kennedy Green 9141@/discussions
If you are interested, please contact me at Kennedylovegreen@gmail.com!]]> I Make Monsters, 2021 https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/8579/i-make-monsters-2021 Thu, 06 May 2021 01:55:18 +0000 Student Projects Hannah 8579@/discussions I Make Monsters

By: Hannah White

Hello everyone!

Meet Elliot, my bird(?) monster!

Super excited to share with you all my senior capstone project at William Jewell College which would not have been possible without the wonderful video courses available on this website! Particularly the one featuring Bill Bryan and foam fabrication.

This was my first BIG project! I'm very proud of the result.

I combined bird anatomy with human anatomy and ended up with a form that was malleable, majestic, endearing, and even quite creepy. He was complete with layable balloon "eggs" which when popped had what we called "ominously positive" messages! Like a wacky fortune cookie.

It has gone semi-viral on TikTok, so I'd like to plug that as well. You can find videos of Elliot in action @hannahdaniellewhite on TikTok. Couldn't figure out how to get the video to embed here, so just linked below.

https://www.tiktok.com/@hannahdaniellewhite/video

Please let me know what you think! And feel free to ask me any questions you may have!

Hannah

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]]> Xeno-Sphinx (Alien King) by PRED'ALEX https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/6758/xeno-sphinx-alien-king-by-predalex Thu, 09 Jan 2020 23:14:20 +0000 Student Projects PRED'ALEX 6758@/discussions

]]> The Huntress - Female Predator by PRED'ALEX https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/6755/the-huntress-female-predator-by-predalex Thu, 09 Jan 2020 01:20:18 +0000 Student Projects PRED'ALEX 6755@/discussions

]]> Silicone vs Foam latex? https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/5841/silicone-vs-foam-latex Wed, 22 May 2019 21:15:15 +0000 Student Projects Summer Hepworth 5841@/discussions Thanks in advance!

Which material do you prefer and why?
Out of the two materials which has the upper hand within the SFX industry? Why do you think this is?

]]> Fx teeth https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/5680/fx-teeth Tue, 26 Feb 2019 08:14:52 +0000 Student Projects Athena mathews 5680@/discussions ]]> Trying to understand undercuts in relation to liquid latex casting https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/5330/trying-to-understand-undercuts-in-relation-to-liquid-latex-casting Fri, 12 Oct 2018 13:51:25 +0000 Student Projects Kelly Mahler 5330@/discussions
So, I'm trying to understand- are undercuts something to be concerned about if you are not doing foam latex? I have my sculpt finished, and I want to know if there is anything I should worry about before I cast (considering my sculpt does have some undercut areas).

Hoping someone can clear this up a bit for me. Thank you!]]> Octaman Replica Mask https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/4922/octaman-replica-mask Thu, 26 Jul 2018 02:19:48 +0000 Student Projects Carlos Gomez 4922@/discussions
I first created a basic form out of upholstery foam and hot glue, from there I used Great Stuff insolation foam to help fill the gaps and make the top of the head more "squid like". I then shaved the foam down to get the shape back and began adding latex and cotton for the skin (this took about half a gallon of latex and a full bag of cotton). After the mask dried I painted it with a mixture of latex and acrylic paint, I know it isn't the best option but its all I could afford. The eyes are ping pong balls cut in half and painted with standard acrylic paint, I used hot glue and 5 min epoxy for the teeth as well as 5 min epoxy on the eyes for that creepy glossy finish. If you have any questions message me on instagram @carlosgomezfx

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Here is the basic form in upholstery foam, I used sharpie lines as a guide for the final design.

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This is the mask with Great Stuff Insolation Foam fully cured and some what carved.

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Here I began texturing the foam with liquid latex and cotton, this took me way to long but this could definitely be done in a day a and a half.

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This image is a mess I had finished texturing the mask and began painting but I then realized I forgot the veins of the original. UGH... So my paint job was destroyed in order to add latex covered strings of cotton.

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FINALLY! This is starting to look decent : ) I repainted the mask and painted the eyes at this point I was starting to feel good about my project. Then another realization hit me... I had no teeth.

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TA-DA FINISHED OCTAMAN MASK!!!! (Sorry for the direct lighting) Tell me what you think, and if you read far enough let me know on Instagram and I'll follow you. ]]> Helmet Brackets for Monster Suit https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/2528/helmet-brackets-for-monster-suit Thu, 14 Apr 2016 19:53:36 +0000 Student Projects Paul Dipastina 2528@/discussions
If there's a better place for me to ask this question let me know.
]]> material https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/2254/material Wed, 20 Jan 2016 17:20:37 +0000 Student Projects Bethany Lane 2254@/discussions
Thanks! Beth

]]> Mold Making - Large Scale https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/2271/mold-making-large-scale Thu, 04 Feb 2016 18:43:25 +0000 Student Projects Carrie-ann michele Whitworth 2271@/discussions
Any advice on what books are out there on this or video's that will help with my research would be greatly appreciated.]]> giving a sculpture cast silicon feeling https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/1933/giving-a-sculpture-cast-silicon-feeling Wed, 19 Aug 2015 07:37:00 +0000 Student Projects Maor Shabbat 1933@/discussions I want to cast it with a firm material (so it can stand on a desk) but to give it a silicon / latex finish to make it feels more real...

what should i cast it with?
what to color it with?

Any suggestions or tips?

Thank you!

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]]> Constructive crit please! https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/1920/constructive-crit-please Thu, 06 Aug 2015 18:19:40 +0000 Student Projects Exilian Studios 1920@/discussions i can do to improve this and if so what would you do and who should i approach the changes. Thank you.]]> m https://forums.stanwinstonschool.com/discussion/1754/m Fri, 17 Jul 2015 20:07:36 +0000 Student Projects Exilian Studios 1754@/discussions