Getting into SFX professionally?

Eric Renner

I wanted to make a post here since I have been revisiting Stan Winston School on and off for the last several years, usually leading up to the Halloween season because I got into sculpting specifically for learning how to make masks for my favorite time of year. I am a 35 year old who resides in the western suburbs of Chicago, IL that has a passion for making things. However, I have yet to find a proper career path to do what I love doing most or how to get on track. I admittedly have struggled to figure this out and am trying to finally change that. I find myself getting more and more into the process of sculpting, mold making and casting a piece and want to explore this further. I am returning to reorganize my online presence so I can begin to form connections with like-minded artists and I felt what better place to begin than right here on SW? 

I have just a few questions I am hoping you can help me out with:

How many different platforms do you guys use to showcase your work? I imagine the more the better, but does anyone use Instagram alone or is this simply not enough? What are some other good website recommendations you would suggest to someone to best utilize for showcasing work in this specific type of work?

Is anyone familiar with tallo.com and can you suggest similar or even better sites that would be considered an absolute must for artists to sign up for?

Are the chances of finding a career in mask-making high enough or am I better off broadening out within SFX regardless of my preference in focus? 

Finally, it is hard to find these types of classes (SFX) around my area for on-site/hands-on lessons. Have any of you found Stan Winston School to be more than enough for the learning portion of your creative journey if you are limited to what is available to you? (without enrolling in an art college or anything that requires a higher budget). I have found the mask videos to be extremely helpful and that I need to put in more practice beyond just Halloween time to exercise the skills I learn from these lessons since practice is key for anything. And I will take any more resources people can recommend. 

Thanks!

Also, I wanted to include all my masks I have made in this post all made from courses from this online school. I am currently in the works of sculpting this year's one. The one from last year isn't my best due to being incomplete. It was my first and only attempt at a silicone mask so far. But will not be the last. I have a long way to go as I still consider myself very much so a novice. But information is what I seek out the most with this post.

Alexander H

I don't spread myself out over too many platforms as they get too hard to manage. I update occassionally on Instagram, I have a Facebook page (that I don't really use because Facebook is just... ugh (then again so is Instagram)), an Artstation portfolio, YouTube channel (again, don't really keep it updated, but that's just because I don't often do video editing) and an Etsy, but, I also do have my own website. I've put a fair bit into it as it's the one platform I can have complete control over how my work is presented - at least, as much as the website builder lets me. I've also started to try and be more active in updating the blog section about it.

On top of those, I also try to be active in online forums and other online creative communities, encouraging and helping others, getting along with members, and sharing my work too.

I've never heard of Tallo before, probably because I'm Australian, though quickly looking through the home page of the site, it seems more like a talent agency over a place to share your portfolio of work publicly.

In regards to your last question, while the Stan Winston School is an amazing place to learn a variety of these skills, nothing of course will beat getting hands on, making plenty of mistakes, and learning from them. My only formal creative education was a Bachelor of Design in animation and game art, which since I kinda went against the grain with a lot of the curriculum, I had to self teach myself a lot of things anyway.

Even if it's not something where you'll get a degree at the end of it, see if there are any smaller courses that you can take to develop skills. If there's no SPX specific courses, are there other generic sculpting or mold making/casting courses? Perhaps local art shops offer workshops? You may also want to see if any local theatres need a hand with productions, or see if college students need some stuff made for short films.

One of my favourite courses here has been Shannon Shae's "The Business of Making Monsters" courses. If you haven't, I highly recommend checking them out.

Good luck with your creative adventure!

Eric Renner

Alexander H said:

I don't spread myself out over too many platforms as they get too hard to manage. I update occassionally on Instagram, I have a Facebook page (that I don't really use because Facebook is just... ugh (then again so is Instagram)), an Artstation portfolio, YouTube channel (again, don't really keep it updated, but that's just because I don't often do video editing) and an Etsy, but, I also do have my own website. I've put a fair bit into it as it's the one platform I can have complete control over how my work is presented - at least, as much as the website builder lets me. I've also started to try and be more active in updating the blog section about it.

On top of those, I also try to be active in online forums and other online creative communities, encouraging and helping others, getting along with members, and sharing my work too.

I've never heard of Tallo before, probably because I'm Australian, though quickly looking through the home page of the site, it seems more like a talent agency over a place to share your portfolio of work publicly.

In regards to your last question, while the Stan Winston School is an amazing place to learn a variety of these skills, nothing of course will beat getting hands on, making plenty of mistakes, and learning from them. My only formal creative education was a Bachelor of Design in animation and game art, which since I kinda went against the grain with a lot of the curriculum, I had to self teach myself a lot of things anyway.

Even if it's not something where you'll get a degree at the end of it, see if there are any smaller courses that you can take to develop skills. If there's no SPX specific courses, are there other generic sculpting or mold making/casting courses? Perhaps local art shops offer workshops? You may also want to see if any local theatres need a hand with productions, or see if college students need some stuff made for short films.

One of my favourite courses here has been Shannon Shae's "The Business of Making Monsters" courses. If you haven't, I highly recommend checking them out.

Good luck with your creative adventure!

Thank you for the info!

Yeah, tallo I only randomly stumbled upon. I've still yet to learn it's value as a tool and as far as networking, however.

As far as other online communities you've stepped into, and recommendations on some I can add to my list to check out?

Alexander H

I'm an active member of the 405th, which is focused towards Halo props and cosplay. There's the RPF (Replica Prop Forums) owned by the same guy, which caters towards replica props from film, TV, comics, etc. I'm also part of the Lumin's Workshop Discord server, hosted by the Australian supplier of cosplay fabrication goods.

There's a forum for creature makers out there that also has video courses you can watch, but the name eludes me...

There's a number of Facebook groups that you can check out, with a wide range of variety in geographical locations, mediums and franchises they specialise in.

Tom Luca

Well, there really isn't any one way. My suggestion is to keep practicing honing your chops as a Sculptor and get into Painting and meet fellow artists at tradeshows or conventions. And go to your local film commission and effects guild to ask for assistance. In the meantime keep studying techniques at SWSCA. My favorite are their DVDs, I purchased/bought hundreds and have them in a Research Reference Library collection at my company's Division IMAGINATION WORKSHOP STUDIO.