What publications should I read?

Once again this is very specific to the area that you want to work in, but we have tried to include below some of the books, magazines etc that have assisted us. We do suggest however that all around you are an infinite source of inspiration and training opportunities.

Recommended Reading:

There are many places to find related material for model making, special effects, make-up etc. Book stores have hobby and craft sections as do libraries. Newsagents or magazine retailers have literally hundreds of publications and these vary from country to country. Starting at school with woodwork, metal work, drawing, designing, or other art related subjects are all very useful in the effects industry and a good way to start learning the basic skills.

Tech courses have a wide variety of art and building related subjects. It is important to learn the safe use of different mediums and materials as there are quite a diverse range of methods employed in the film industry. Sculpting is a very good way to develop creative skills and an understanding of shape and form which is essential in any special effects work. Drawing and design skills are also important as a means of communicating ideas. Most tech colleges have sculptural and drawing classes. Some countries also have courses on model making so you should check with your local colleges to find out what's available.

Visiting your local book shop will provide you with a wide variety of relevant research material. Most movies issue ‘making of' publications around the same time as the movie e.g. ‘Lord of the Rings', ‘Aliens', ‘James Bond', 'X-men' or ‘Spiderman'. These books are a good source of information about how the films were put together and some show a lot of examples of make-up, special effects and miniatures. If you have access to the internet, do searches for books or magazines such as ‘special effects', ‘make-up effects', or ‘model making'. Sites like e-bay sell many ‘making of' books and other film related subjects.

With the advent of DVD, most films include the making of special features and commentaries from the filmmakers. This is a very good way to get an overview of the film making process and gain knowledge on how they did it, the problems they had and how they solved them.

If you are interested in set and prop building, making models from scratch is the best way to learn and develop your skills. This does not have to be a complicated project. It can be as simple as a cardboard model of your house. What's important is that you have learned how to build and have started to develop a skill. Hobby stores often have publications on model making kits so they are a good place to go and ask. Persistence is the key.

Bibliography of References

Sculpting

• "Modelling the head in clay - creative techniques for the sculptor" LUCCHESI,B. & MALMSTROM,M., Watson-Guptill.
• "From Clay to Bronze - a studio guide to figurative sculpture" LANGLAND,T., Watson-Guptill.
• "Atlas of human anatomy for the artist" PECK,S.R.,Oxford
• "Modelling a likeness in clay" GRUBBS,D.
• "The portrait in clay" RUBINO,P.
• "Modelling and sculpting the human figure" LANTERI,E.
• "Modelling the figure in clay" LUCCHESI,B. & MALMSTROM,M.
• "Modelling and sculpting animals" LANTERI,E.
• www.monstermakers.com or e-mail sales@monstermakers.com this site has an excellent list of books and videos.

Design and Drawing

• "Drawing on the right side of the brain" EDWARDS,B.
• "Drawing on the artist within" EDWARDS,B.
• "Production Design and Art Direction" (from the ‘screen craft' series) ETTEDGUI,P.

Make-Up and Prosthetics

• "Stage Make-UP" CORSON, Prentice Hall
• "Special Make-Up Effects" KEHOE,V., Focal Press
• "Making a Monster" TAYLOR,A. & ROY,S., Crown
• "Grand Illusions" SAVINI,T., Imagine Inc.
• "Grand Illusions 2" SAVINI,T. Morris costumes.
• "Dick Smiths Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-Up Handbook" Imagine,Inc.
• "Men, Make-Up & Monsters" TIMPONE,A., St. Martins Griffin.
• "Behind the Mask" Salisbury and Hedgcock.
• MBP "The Art of Special Make-up Effects Volume 2 - Basic Foam Rubber Appliance" (video)
• MBP "The Art of Special Make-up Effects volume 3 - Cable Controlled Mechanical Mask" (Video)
• "Dick Smith's Monster Make-Up Video"
• "The Monster Makers" video series including: "Fantastic Dentistry" volume 1&2; "Life-casting Essentials"; "Professional Mask Making" volume 1&2; "Molding and Casting with Silicone" and "Props and Body Parts"
• "Mark Alfrey's Sculpting movie monsters" (video)
• "Techniques of Three Dimensional Make-Up" BAYGAN,L., Watson.
• www.monstermakers.com