Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen: Making and Applying Prosthetics

345 Pages·2008·10.84 MB·english

by  Todd Debreceni

Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen
Todd has worked as a professional makeup artist and as a professional teacher, and
it really shows in this book’s detailed, clear, concise and no-nonsense approach to the
art and craft of special mak eup effects. I’m now insanely jealous of all the people
who will learn from this book because this is the book I would have killed to have
had when I was starting out....... IT’S NOT FAIR!!!
–Neill Gorton, BAFTA winner for Best Makeup and Hair Design, Help (2005),
nominee for Best Makeup and Hair Design, The Catherine Tate Show (2007),
Royal Television Society (UK) winner for Best Makeup Design, Help (2005),
and nominee for Best Makeup Design, Doctor Who (2005, 2006)
Among the most exhaustive and thorough tomes on the subject of special effects
makeup there is, written with a likable and easy-to-understand style that is
accessible to all ages.
–Jordu Schell, creature and character designer
The artistry of makeup has been a lifelong passion of mine and hope it will be to
everyone who purchases this book. This book will inspire future makeup artists and
novices to continue the art and discover newer, more innovative materials and
procedures to work with. The techniques and education in this book are inspiring.
To create believable character makeups on human faces is a challenging, rewarding
art form which will continue to evolve and inspire those who study this book. i
–Matthew W. Mungle, Oscar ® winner and BAFTA nominee for
Best Makeup, Dracula (1992), Oscar ® nominee for Best Makeup,
Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), and Oscar ® and BAFTA nominee for
Best Makeup, Schindler’s List (1993)
I highly recommend Todd’s Book as a must for everyone involved and interested
in special prosthetic makeup effects. Crammed with cutting-edge information on
materials and techniques, formulas, suppliers, how-to’s, and more, this is a book I wish
I had when I first started! Every student, beginner, and makeup artist for film, TV,
theater, video, and commercials should not hesitate to pick up a copy of this book—
don’t leave home without it! Make sure it’s part of your kit!
–Christopher Tucker, BAFTA winner for Best Makeup Artist, Quest for Fire
[La Guerre du feu] (1981), BAFTA nominee for Best Special Visual Effects and
Best Makeup Artist, The Company of Wolves (1984), and Emmy nominee for
Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Miniseries or a Special,
War and Remembrance (1988)
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Special Makeup Effects for
Stage and Screen: Making and
Applying Prosthetics
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Special Makeup Effects for
Stage and Screen: Making and
Applying Prosthetics
Todd Debreceni
AMSTERDAM • BOSTON • HEIDELBERG • LONDON
NEW YORK • OXFORD • PARIS • SAN DIEGO
SAN FRANCISCO • SINGAPORE • SYDNEY • TOKYO
Focal Press is an imprint of Elsevier
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Recognizing the importance of preserving what has been written, Elsevier prints its books
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Debreceni, Todd.
Special make-up effects for stage & screen : making and applying prosthetics / by
Todd Debreceni.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 978-0-240-80996-0 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Theatrical prosthetic makeup. I. Title.
PN2068.D43 2009
792.02’7--dc22
2008034231
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 978-0-240-80996-0
For information on all Focal Press publications
visit our website at www.elsevierdirect.com
09 10 11 12 13 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in China
<PII>, <AID>
Contents
Foreword ......................................................................................................................................xiii
Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................xv
PreFAce ..........................................................................................................................................xvii
CHAPTER 1  l  The Industry
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................1
sidebar – neill gorton ....................................................................................................................2
sidebar – Jamie salmon ................................................................................................................5
stage vs. screen ...................................................................................................................................7
contributions from medicine ...........................................................................................................10
the workspace ...................................................................................................................................12
safety and Health ..............................................................................................................................14
sidebar – matthew w. mungle ...................................................................................................15
Professionalism ..................................................................................................................................17 vii
Your Portfolio .....................................................................................................................................20
Your kit .................................................................................................................................................21
CHAPTER 2  l  Anatomy and Design
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................23
Using the computer ..........................................................................................................................25
sidebar – Brian wade .................................................................................................................26
sidebar – miles teves .................................................................................................................27
elements of the design ....................................................................................................................30
Body types ....................................................................................................................................30
the Human Body ...............................................................................................................................33
the skeletal system ....................................................................................................................33
sidebar – Jordu schell ................................................................................................................34
the skeleto-muscular system ..................................................................................................35
surface Anatomy ................................................................................................................................41
the eyes, ears, and nose ...........................................................................................................42
Contents
the mouth ......................................................................................................................................43
the skin ..........................................................................................................................................43
symmetry and Proportion ..............................................................................................................47
Anatomical Planes........................................................................................................................47
Facial ratios and Phi ...................................................................................................................48
ratios and Body Proportions ....................................................................................................49
geometric Analysis ............................................................................................................................51
distinctions of gender, Age, and Ancestry .................................................................................54
distinctions of gender .................................................................................................................54
distinctions of Age .......................................................................................................................55
distinctions of Ancestry .............................................................................................................59
CHAPTER 3  l  Making the Lifecast
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................65
sidebar – david Parvin ...............................................................................................................66
safety risks ........................................................................................................................................66
sidebar – John schoonraad .......................................................................................................68
the materials ......................................................................................................................................69
the Process .........................................................................................................................................71
viii overview..........................................................................................................................................71
teeth .....................................................................................................................................................73
Face and neck ....................................................................................................................................78
Bust: Head and shoulders ................................................................................................................91
Hands, Arms, legs, Feet, and ears ...............................................................................................99
Hands and Arms ............................................................................................................................99
legs and Feet ..............................................................................................................................100
ears ................................................................................................................................................100
Full Body ...........................................................................................................................................102
Full Body: Prone .........................................................................................................................103
Full Body: standing ...................................................................................................................108
CHAPTER 4  l  Sculpting the Makeup
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................111
materials ..............................................................................................................................................111
sidebar – mark Alfrey ................................................................................................................112
Preparing the Positive ....................................................................................................................113
tools ....................................................................................................................................................113
clay..................................................................................................................................................114
reference Photos .......................................................................................................................116
Contents
teeth ...................................................................................................................................................116
materials ........................................................................................................................................116
sculpting the Face ...........................................................................................................................117
Blocking the sculpture ...............................................................................................................118
refining the sculpture ..............................................................................................................120
sculpting the Face, Head, and neck ...........................................................................................124
Blocking the sculpture ..............................................................................................................124
sculpting Hands ...............................................................................................................................126
Blocking the sculpture ..............................................................................................................126
sculpting ears ..................................................................................................................................128
Blocking the sculpture ..............................................................................................................129
CHAPTER 5  l  Breakdown of the Sculpture
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................131
sidebar – kevin kirkpatrick .....................................................................................................132
tools and materials .........................................................................................................................132
release Agents and sealers ..........................................................................................................133
making the negative mold .............................................................................................................133
keys, Flashing, and cutting edges .............................................................................................136
Building the clay wall .................................................................................................................137 ix
Building a different clay wall ..................................................................................................138
stone (gypsum) molds ..................................................................................................................139
other types of molds .....................................................................................................................142
silicone rubber molds ...................................................................................................................143
matrix molds .....................................................................................................................................145
Fiberglass molds .............................................................................................................................152
Fillers ...................................................................................................................................................155
resin molds .......................................................................................................................................155
Urethane molds ...............................................................................................................................156
CHAPTER 6  l  Casting the Appliances
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................159
sidebar – david elsey ...............................................................................................................160
silicone: Platinum and tin rtV....................................................................................................162
coloration ..........................................................................................................................................162
materials .......................................................................................................................................163
de-airing/degassing silicone ..................................................................................................163
gel-Filled silicone Appliances ......................................................................................................164
Filling the mold ............................................................................................................................165