Dumb Question

Jacob Estes

I follow Stan Winston of facebook because I love sci-fi, horror and fantasy and practical effects in movies.  I'd love to learn how to do some of this for fun, like sculpting and fabrication, but I have zero experience and I really can't even draw much more than stick figures. So I was just wondering if it's possible to learn how to do this stuff with literally zero experience and an inability to draw?

Chris Ellerby

Absolutely!  The key is to find an aspect of the effects world you are passionate about (sculpting, painting, makeup, fabrication, etc), or a project that inspires you, and start learning everything you can.  Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty!

The challenge when you first start out is working through the stage where you know your work is not as good as what you have pictured in your mind.  But every artist starts out in the same place.  Just keep doing it because you love it, and eventually your skills will catch up to your vision.  

Also keep in mind that almost every artist, on almost every project, goes through a phase where they don't like how their project is turning out and don't think they'll ever get it finished.  

I suggest finding a small project you would like to work on, see what skills, materials, and tools you would need to create that project, and then dive in.

What kind of things are you interested in making?

/Chris

Jacob Estes

Thank you for the response. I've been following Stan Winston for a while, but what has gotten me kind of interested in the possibility of trying to do some of this stuff is the SyFy show Face Off.  If I could learn how to make a makeup with prosthetics  and stuff like that, that would be really awesome. Obviously I know I won't be on that level, but just something I could wear to Dragon Con here in Atlanta or something me and my buddies could use in the dumb youtube videos we like to make, like werewolves or Klingons.

Chris Ellerby

Here are a couple great places to start if you are interested in doing character makeup like you see on Face Off.

The lesson series on character makeup by Bruce Spaulding Fuller takes you from sculpting to mold making, casting, painting, and application.  I highly recommend it!

1. https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/prosthetic-makeup-sculpting-character-creation-tutorial
2. https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/character-makeup-sculpture-breakdown-mold-making
3. https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/character-makeup-sculpture-breakdown-moldmaking-part-two
4. https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/casting-character-prosthetics-flexacryl-fingers-silicone-ears
5. https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/painting-foam-latex-and-silicone-prosthetic-makeup-appliances
6. https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/character-makeup-multi-piece-prosthetic-application

And Prosthetic Makeup Basics with Rob Burman is also a must-watch:

1. https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/prosthetic-makeup-basics-gelatin-facial-appliances-part-one
   
2. https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/prosthetic-makeup-basics-gelatin-facial-appliances-part-2
   

Those series should have you ready for Dragon Con in no time!

/Chris