Some advice on a project involving practical effects
in General
Hello all you talented people you. It has been awhile since I posted. I would like some advice if possible. I have to RE-sign up for the school here and I am hoping to do that within the next month or so since I am trying to finish up my standard Master's in Education(back up plan).
I have been working on a project for sometime now but nothing physical as far as props and such..This is unfortunately a non-profit because it is more of a showcase but I would like some insight...I would very much like to create and full werewolf suit complete with animatronic head for facial expressions,etc...Emotion is the key.
I have some ideas where to go but I would like to hear some advice on how to get started, time involved,costs etc...I have my research notes but I could really use second,third and any other advice or insights into this. Thanks all. Have a great day
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Sounds like an ambitious and awesome project! We have a lot of courses that would help you there.
"Making a Creature Suit" with Alec Gillis covers one style of creature suit design that involves sculpting and casting the components.
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/monster-suit-sculpt-character-creation-tutorial
"Muscle Suit Fabrication" with Ted Haines shows another style of creature suit design that relies more on foam and fabric.
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/muscle-suit-fabrication-part-1-design-pattern-fabricate
"Fur Transfer, Electrostatic Flocking And Hair Punching" with Deborah Galvez will help with fur and hair work
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/fur-transfer-electrostatic-flocking-and-hair-punching
"How To Make Animatronic Characters - Organic Mechanics" with Rick Lazzarini is a good starting point for animatronics
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/animatronic-character-creation-organic-mechanics-part-one
"How To Build An Animatronic Head" with Craig Caton-Largent would also be a big help
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/character-animatronics-how-to-build-an-animatronic-head-part-1-mechanical-underskull
"How To Make An Eye Mechanism - Design, 3D Printing & Assembly" with David Covarrubias is also great
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/how-to-make-an-eye-mechanism-design-3d-printing-assembly
We have a lot of great sculpting courses that would help for the head, hands, and feet: https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials?tag=Sculpture
For Eyes we have a few different lessons covering different techniques:
"How To Make Eyes: Puppets, Masks & Makeups" with John Cherevka
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/how-make-eyes-puppets-masks-makeups
"Making Creature Eyes" with John Cherevka
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/how-to-make-eyes
"Epoxy Eyeballs" with John Cherevka
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/epoxy-eyeballs-part-1-casting-and-painting-realistic-epoxacast-resin-eyes
Here are a couple for making teeth, while these focus on wearable teeth you can adapt the techniques to an animatronic/mask
"Advanced Creature Teeth: Prosthetic Dental Appliances" with John Cherevka
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/creature-teeth-how-to-make-wearable-prosthetic-dental-appliances
"How To Make Fake Teeth" with Cynthia Garza
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/how-to-make-fake-teeth
That should get you started! We have a lot of other lessons that focus on various steps like painting, casting, fabrication, etc. that you may also want to browse through.
Hope that helps!
/Chris
Do you by any chance know if there is any foundational art classes here as well? Never got a good foundation and I am working on storyboards and prints but lack good foundation.
Monster Drawing Techniques - How To Draw A Werewolf with Jessie Fohrman
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/monster-drawing-techniques-how-to-draw-a-werewolf
How To Draw Monsters - Drawing Stan Winston Creatures with Timothy Martin
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/monster-drawing-techniques-stan-winston-creatures
Basic Character Drawing with Davis Fandino
https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials/monster-drawing-series-basic-drawing-techniques
/Chris