Thread: Special Effects School?

Tweet

Greetings, fellow Halloween / horror / and haunted attraction lovers! I have a serious question to ask, that to the rest of the world may seem like a stupid question, but hopefully this question will make perfect sense to all of us like minded individuals! (I hope this is the right forum to post this in...)

My question is this: Is there an online school / college that offers courses in special effects design and / or special effects makeup? My fiancé and I would like to make a career out of our passion, and would like further education in what we love. I enjoy building my own props and designing things to scare people in our haunt, and my fiancé enjoys the special effects makeup aspect of our haunt. Is there an online school out there somewhere that can help us improve our skills and knowledge so that we may hopefully make a career of it? Thank you all in advance for your feedback!

The Dick Smith Advanced Professional Make-Up Course comes to mind. You can also start with his Basic Course.

Mr.Chicken, you must of been over on Theeffectslab recently, I was going to post that school after really thinking of sending in some work and appyling. I just don't know if I can do college classes, spfx classes, and be able to push out masks myself.

From what I have seen, if you do that school and get a recommendation. That is like the cats meow for the industry, it can get you places.

I believe the Dick Smith course allows you to work at your own pace...?

Yep, and when you want to graduate, you send your portfolio in to get assessed. If they feel that your work is exceptional enough, they give you a certificate. It is done by skill and merit, not by completion alone. They will not let Joe schmo flaunt the name of the school. They want skilled and talented artist to uphold the name.

yeah...one day I'd really like to go for the course. I just have to build up a portfolio first...

Agreed, I feel like I have the skills to complete the course, I just do not have the vast portfolio that other people have. Give me a year or two and I will be applying.

I picked up a book at Monsterpalooza called "The Monstrous Makeup Manual" ( Book #1) from Mike Spatola. Its a great book with very clear and concisely explained methods (and great photos) . Its well worth the $. Perfect to begin doing makeup.. Thats what im doing with it anyhow.

I haven't checked that one out, but my favorite book is Todd Debreceni's Special Makeup Effects. That book has everything, and it's quite well written to boot.

Thank you all for the helpful info! Just curious, what should this said portfolio consist of?