Shows
Stuart Bray#90 - Joel HarlowJoel Harlow is an academy award-winning artist who started out in animation before he moved on to makeup. Gradually building multi-faceted skills, confidence and workloads, he has evolved and expanded into the makeup effects heavyweight we know today with a hefty rollcall of credits. Check out his company, . It is always fascinating to go through the IMDb of an artist and see their credits creeping up the hierarchy over time. Evidence of trust earned as supervisors see a way to pass the responsibility on, and nothing breeds more work than showing up on time and doing more than the client...
2022-12-311h 43
Stuart Bray#89 - Maddie Scott-SpencerMaddie is a talented concept artist and teacher known mostly for her ZBrush work. Coming from a practical background, her skills come from familiar ground - Fangoria, a love of monsters and sculpting for fun! She has taught classes for Gnomon since 2006 - we recommend the ‘’ video course. Todd and I both cite this as the breakthrough moment for both of us, making what previously had been indecipherable to us accessible and understandable. The way she comes across reminded us of Dick Smith, with a generous nature coupled with a thorough understanding of the subject. Maddie graciously invited Stu and me in...
2022-10-031h 28
Stuart Bray#88 - Adam 'KreatureKid' DoughertyAdam Dougherty and his company are based in Colorado. An incredibly talented artist, he is an inspiring soul who makes things happen with determination and persistent hard work. Although he considers himself lazy, his output shows anything but. In particular, his style celebrates the warmth and unique character that Jim Henson created with puppets, and has himself produced some jaw-droppingly effective puppets for various projects such as the upcoming Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, directed by Andrew Bowser. Adam has a flair and a style for big, expressive characters and, as you will hear in the podcast...
2022-08-161h 19
Stuart Bray#87 - Frank IppolitoFrank Ippolito is something of a practical effects polymath. From starting out with makeup effects and putting in solid work in the lab, he has gradually expanded to running a company and crew with impressive credits and a high standard of work. Checking out , you’ll see a switch around 2016 as he started working on speciality costumes. This is a big overlap in the practical effects industry as creature and ‘hero’ suits become more sophisticated. Frank started as a freelancer doing the thing; now, he runs a shop and has a well-trusted and reliable workforce at his shop, . Because of his hea...
2022-08-141h 22
Stuart Bray#86 - More Noses, Fewer HornsIn this episode, we look at a makeup I did nearly 30 years ago at college. Adrian Rigby sent me a remaining original piece from the mould, along with some photos (prints, no less, which I scanned). We talk about remembering what you knew then (the past) and how you thought it should be done. You can also advise your old self on how it could be done better using the knowledge you know now (the present) and things you would attain in the future. By seeing your errors written plain, having an actual artefact from the past, you can connect...
2022-07-301h 01
Stuart Bray#85 - Bill Corso"Bill, there's a scene where The Blob attacks a woman who's in a 'phone booth and it covers the 'phone booth, it crushes the 'phone booth and here and then it goes on the sidewalk and goes into a gutter and disappears into this sewer." I'm just looking at him and I go…"Okay." And he says "Figure out how to do that scene!" I was, like "Well, what IS The Blob?" He goes "I don't know…you come up with something. Come up with 5 things and I'll pick one." That was it. That was my first day Bill who? Pard...
2022-07-031h 52
Stuart Bray#84 - Pete TindallIn this episode, we talk with materials maestro Pete Tindall about all things making related, along with a dose of rantage. I moan a bit about ZBrush (although I love it) and the fact that despite the terrifying interface and the huge number of tools available in ZBrush, freedom comes from accepting that you likely need only a handful of them. Early on in ZBrush, you are can indeed happily ignore most of it with confidence. Pete is an adept materials man, knowing and using a broad range of materials. We first met on Batman Begins (2005) where Pete worked in...
2022-02-042h 12
Stuart Bray#83 - Ian Morse & Cliff Wallace Part 2Check the shownotes on the blog: This second part of our chat with Ian and Cliff takes a look back at the company they had together, Creature Concepts - or as Ian puts it ‘How not to run a business'. Ian and Cliff mentioned Blood On The Satan’s Claw (1971) and I watched it on their recommendation. It whetted my appetite, and I had to rewatch some of my favourites, The Creeping Flesh, Captain Kronos, Vampire Hunter and of course The Curse Of Frankenstein. It also reminds me of the joys of direct-applied makeups. Things like burns, or wound interiors for e...
2022-01-281h 20
Stuart Bray#82 - Ian Morse & Cliff Wallace Part 1This episode was recorded at Cliff's studio, with all four of us present and correct. Ian and Cliff have worked together and separately in the industry for a long time - Ian's credits include Little Shop Of Horrors, Alien 3, Saving Private Ryan, War Horse, Fury and Dr Who. Cliff racks up an impressive listing on IMDb with Hellraiser (1987), Lair of the White Worm, Black Hawk Down, World War Z and 28 Days Later. It was a hefty chat that we split into two parts as it was so long, but also they divided into two clear conversations which lent themselves to...
2022-01-211h 30
Stuart Bray#81 - Bolton Part 2Competence and comfort are the results of the repetition of activity over a significant period of time. In an age of endless self-promotion, this podcast has always championed the work involved in quiet competence. Being competent at something is what people will pay money for, so it is worth considering as an ambition. But how do we keep ourselves on the right track? A great many working professionals have a very meagre following on social media precisely because their work is mostly protected and discrete because of NDAs (non-disclosure agreements), and they are not looking for mass appeal from as many...
2022-01-011h 45
Stuart Bray#80 - Bolton Part 1What does digital sculpting have to do with battling with bits of rubber? Speaking in one of the VFX classrooms, a huge space with rows of monitors and Wacom Cintiqs, we gathered as a group to discuss training to work in film and TV. We looked particularly at the pipeline and workflow of VFX and how that has changed over the years with regards to practical work and why confidence matters and how it can be generated. One aspect of confidence is to know how and when to exercise what is your responsibility when you may feel like it is som...
2021-12-261h 05
Stuart Bray#79 - Jake GarberOur conversation recently with Jake Garber at The Prosthetics Event in Coventry was, we think, a very important chat worth listening to for anyone who is trying, or thinking about trying to get a foot in the door into the (oftentimes) wonderful and exciting world of movie and television makeup. Even for peeps already working in the industry, Jake’s extensive level of expertise and experience in a special and makeup effects career has seen him in many roles from straight beauty makeup and workshop lab work, as well as supervising workshops and sets, key makeup artist as well as be...
2021-12-181h 09
Stuart BrayAmelia Rowcroft: Strong FoundationsFigurative sculptor Amelia Rowcroft lives in the lovely Sussex town of Lewes on the South East Coast of England, which dates back to 961AD. She was kind enough to invite us into her studio in a building that once housed a brewery in the 1600s, and that’s where we recorded this episode of BWBoR. Amelia has been sculpting practically, working in clay for over 20 years, creating primarily fine art portraits and figurative sculptures, though she has also worked within the film industry, and for the world’s leading wax figure museums including Madame Tussaud’s, and we talked about it all...
2021-11-261h 05
Stuart Bray#77 - Truth Is Grosser Than Fictionis a returning guest on the show. We caught up with him at the Prosthetics Event in Coventry. Merging medical knowledge with movie makeup, he aims to bring more realism to training scenarios. Raising the bar in simulation can help to save actual lives. It is quite often that makeup students will work with a local emergency service and offer up their skills to make up casualties for training first responders and combat medics. As makeup artists, we often let the dramatic effect take the reins, however, it is easy to inadvertently misdirect a clinical field assessment with incorrectly applied m...
2021-11-2039 min
Stuart Bray#76 - 1.9 Million Sq. Ft NeededThis episode is in two parts. The first part is the generally good news of the increase in film industry activity which sees many people run off their feet with work. After a year of lockdowns and closed up shops, this is good news indeed. Film and TV productions are picking up because of the build-up of work owing to shelved ideas, and owing to the massive amount of free time folks have had to consume box sets and start to want the next season. --------------------------------------------- Incidentally, it was Gorezone #9 which had the awesome Evil Dead 2 stuff I mentioned...
2021-10-201h 15
Stuart Bray#75 - Cutting Edges & Flat MouldsWe covered cutting edges in but this one is specifically about cutting edges on flat moulds. Cutting edges on appliance moulds do the work of separating the fine appliance edge from the flashing and excess, allowing the mould to close properly and achieve the feather thin edge you have sculpted. The exact width of the distance between the cutting edge and the sculpted edge varies between artists and techniques, preferences and materials. I have seen many sculpts where folk have had a massive distance between the cutting edge and the sculpt, and this is what prompted this episode. The book...
2021-07-2052 min
Stuart Bray#74 - Foam & FilamentIn episode #74 we talk about running lots of foam latex and overcoming the things that can go wrong with foam latex. Despite silicone being the material most go to first, it is a very real material that needs to be kept in mind for certain projects. We also chat about how 3D scanning and printing has had a tangible benefit on some jobs we had this year, and how using this technology has enabled things that would not have otherwise been possible. Many thanks for listening! -Stuart & Todd .
2021-06-211h 10
Stuart Bray~73 - Rod MaxwellRod Maxwell is a bit of a Renaissance man, and the more we talked the more you can see how wearing many hats has informed his approach. Of late, Rod has become known for his fusion of digital techniques with practical outcomes. Looking at his Instagram, you can see trailblazing work with 3D printed moulds, scanning lifecasts and moulds and using that data to create things impossible to do any other way. Overlaying lifecasts done years apart to animate the changes in features displaying the effects of aging? Yes please! Rod created a short movie, The Wishing Well, in which...
2021-02-202h 29
Stuart Bray#72 - Adam BeaneAdam has become well known for his miniature and smaller-scale work which has both great expression as well as high levels of detail, and even developed a material which allowed such tight detail for miniatures called Cx5. The man has done a lot of things and has worked many jobs - let's be clear his feet are on the ground and he knows what hard work is. He also has cultivated a very positive and effective mindset which is infectious and inspiring to behold and makes you want to try harder as you see that he walks the walk himself. T...
2021-02-111h 53
Stuart Bray#71 - Daniel ParkerDaniel was the first professional prosthetic professional to look at my portfolio. That stuff sticks with you. That was back in 1994, and there was still a lot of Frankenstein stuff kicking about in the workshop from the previous year. I learned a lot being in that workshop, and got to see a makeup test on Ian McKellan for Richard III in my time there. Daniel has recently been praised for his work as makeup and hair designer on The Queens Gambit (Netflix) and Chernobyl (HBO). He has an extensive range of credits spanning 37 years, including Zero Dark Thirty, The Hurt...
2021-01-082h 21
Stuart Bray#70 - Dominic Hailstone Part 2In this second and final part of the chat with Dominic, we look at his art and discuss the drawing and sculptures. As usual, this podcast episode is a tale of two stories. Todd and I talk about the difficult work involved in lifecasting the deceased, which can be much trickier than dealing with the living. Then the chat with Dom, looking at his processes for creating artwork, using traditional and digital media and how they can work off each other. ZBrush has become such an integral part of many design processes and is a powerful tool with a terrifying...
2020-12-281h 24
Stuart Bray#69 - Dominic Hailstone Part 1In this episode (and the next), we have a chat with artist . He works extensively with visual effects and has a background in makeup effects and practical effects which inform his approach. Being an early adopter of visual effects and using computers places him in a unique position of seeing both sides and is well versed in the processes and business in film making. As you will hear, his intimate understanding of film making as a storyteller and a designer gives him a good insight into the business. Necro Deathmort Album Cover Art Check out Dominic's website where you can s...
2020-12-131h 31
Stuart Bray#68 - Q&AThis episode is a catch up on some emails and questions we had over the last couple of weeks. We have some great questions this time around, so many thanks for getting in touch! We talk about epoxy surfaced moulds, crinkly edges, and dodgy makeup course practices. Books mentioned in this episode: Silicone Art - Silicone As An Art Material By Tom McLaughlin V1.3 Fundamentals of Facial Prosthetics By Robert E McKinstry Products mentioned: MAC Matte Cream or 'Crème Matifiante' A quick shout out to Thomas Tuohey for making this awesome mixer head available on Thingiverse: This fantastic materials c...
2020-11-291h 16
Stuart Bray#67 - Brian KinneyBrian Kinney is a primetime Emmy-nominated makeup artist and a Journeyman in IATSE Hollywood Local 706 Make-up Artists and Hairstylists Guild, where he serves as Makeup Craft President and Executive Board Member.
His work can be seen in feature films and television shows, such as Fear The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Westworld, Purge: Anarchy and CSI. Check out his extensive to see the hefty list of credits.
Brian came to my workshop just after Christmas 2019 and we had a great afternoon catching up and recording a chat. It seems funny to remember when you could just be in a room...
2020-11-161h 26
Stuart Bray#66 - Lars CarlssonLars is a generous self-taught artist from Sweden. He works in film, TV and theatre productions often using new technology to scan and print items for practical effects. We wanted to chat theatre stuff, as that is not something we have spoken much about on the podcast. It's an area which may well be more available for people starting out, as many sizes of theatre and regional playhouses have small scale productions offering great opportunities for creative people starting out. In this episode, we talk scanning, printing and sculpting in virtual reality, trouble with new LED lighting in theatres, making...
2020-11-111h 39
Stuart Bray#65 - Ghosts, Goblins & Cutting EdgesIt’s Halloween. A Saturday! A full moon! Also not happening because of Covid. Boo. It’s a damn shame, but I imagine around the world, a lot more horror movies will be watched. I can only hope such mass consumption will drive production to make more stuff as we burn through the back catalogue of shows with a worldwide captive audience. Cutting Edges On appliances, a cutting edge is often employed to mark the boundary of where appliance stops and real skin should begin. With foam and gelatine, the end of the piece was the end of the piece. With...
2020-10-2949 min
Stuart Bray#64 - Danny Marie EliasDanny has done some interesting things with prosthetics, leading with fashion and high concept looks and bringing appliance work into the mix. Most demonstrations at trade shows involving appliances are showing just the tail end of a much longer hidden process which perhaps isn't at all evident in the final piece. It's nice to hear about what happens in the lead up to such a thing. As with many artists sealed tight with Non-Disclosure Agreements on professional projects, trade shows offer a real opportunity to try something new and experiment with ideas and processes without the risk of shooting days...
2020-08-271h 19
Stuart Bray#63 - Things That Go WrongWe have all spotted things in shows which were never meant to be there. Scars swapping sides, hair up one minute and then down the next, blood which moves shot to shot or an errant edge which can't be hidden. Those are the things which you notice, and maybe take great pleasure in spotting and shaming those unfortunate artists who were 'responsible'. However, there are many things which you didn't spot which could have been issues if they were not overcome before the cameras started rolling. We go through some of these hidden problems which are not so rare, and...
2020-08-191h 11
Stuart Bray#62 - Mould ClosureClosing moulds correctly is vital to get good casts out of them. There seems little point in making a good mould and then getting bad casts out of it. In this episode we chat about things to consider when looking at ‘mould closure’. Essentially, a mould other than a flat or open mould will usually need to be attached or fitted to another component to produce a cast. This could be another part of the mould if a ‘multi-piece’ mould is made and/or a core which will be placed into the mould to create the interior. These pieces need to remai...
2020-06-211h 05
Stuart Bray#61 - Cutting EdgesCutting edges are the point at which a core meets the mould, and is crucial in creating a fine edge for many appliances. In flat moulds, there can be something similar even though a core isn’t involved, as it establishes where the appliance actually stops and the skin begins. A cutting edge and overflow are critical in foam appliances, especially where a mould has foam latex added and a core is pushed into it. A gap between the core and the mould face would ensure the excess foam could escape, and the contact point where the mould meets the co...
2020-06-111h 11
Stuart Bray#60 - Tim BaggaleyTim Baggaley played the one-armed zombie in Shaun of the Dead. He's a damn nice fella, an actor, talented graphic designer and a fabulous dancer. In this episode, we chat about his experience on set and his recollections of being among the undead. As we chatted, he reminded me of a few other things we had worked on together and we get into the nitty-gritty of whether or not we should see the genitals of monsters. Sounds like a fun tangent, but it is a serious consideration when making creature suits. After all, their absence may be as strange as...
2020-06-0944 min
Stuart Bray#59 - Mark DonovanHere is a little treat - an additional little episode that checks in with Mark Donovan who played The Hulking Zombie in Shaun Of The Dead. We talked through the difficulties involved in getting ready to be attacked with records and cricket bats, shovels and the heat whilst caked in blood. Also, as you'll hear, some very cool comic book related stuff which was an exciting discovery. You may recall in the that Stuart Conran mentioned the back story to the Hulking Zombie, how he came to be a zombie and why he was there with Mary. I mentioned this...
2020-06-0130 min
Stuart Bray#58 - Air BubblesAir bubbles of one kind or another are inevitable if you deal with materials which start out life as a liquid and then later solidify such as plaster, latex, silicone and resin. Let’s take a look at what can happen, why, and what to do about it. Blog post accompanying this post:
2020-05-2353 min
Stuart Bray#57 - 'Little John' CormicanIt was a great pleasure to chat with John face to face (before lockdown, I hasten to add) back in December of 2019. John is a well known FX artist who has since gone on to work at Tussauds and is a freelance artist. I think you will get a real kick out of hearing his take, a perfect attitude to how to feel when creating. We chat about what it means to sculpt, that internal dialogue we all have when creating something new, Fact checking bellend: In this, I mistakenly assign Constantin Brâncuși as the artist behind 'Nude De...
2020-05-181h 42
Stuart Bray#56 - Q & AThis episode of the podcast, we catch up with some questions left on our answerphone, emails and comments. Clay issues, alcohol colours, and a nice message from sculpting master . Cheers to those been in touch, and leaving messages. You can get in touch by email at or . I mentioned working at the BBC Visual FX department, and I was reminded that I have a book about it - BBC Vfx: The History of the BBC Visual Effects Department 2010 by Mat Irvine (Author), Mike Tucker (Author) ISBN-10: 1845135563 ISBN-13: 978-1845135560 I mentioned 'enjoy the suck' and it was, of course, 'embrace the...
2020-04-2850 min
Stuart Bray#55 - Shaun Of The Dead: An AppreciationThe Shaun Of The Dead prosthetic team reunites and talk through the movie effects shots. I thought it would be fun to chat with Stuart Conran and Dan Frye, two FX buddies who I have known and worked with for many years on many projects. I rewatched the movie to refresh my memory and listed the effects in chronological order. Make sure to which accompanies this episode. This little nod of appreciation comes from that place which still makes me warm and fuzzy when I flick through old Fangoria and Gorezone magazines. You can easily get in touch with the...
2020-04-261h 25
Stuart Bray#54 - Approaching WorkshopsBlog Post link: Folio under your arm, at some point you may wish to appeal to those who could give you a job. It's nervewracking to be judged, but your folio is maybe pages of your heart and soul now made visible for others to assess and rate. The main way anyone gets work is simply by having a portfolio of good work and then show that to someone who pays for people like that to solve a problem they have. There isn't a single path or trick to game the system. You are not likely to be given a...
2020-04-171h 19
Stuart Bray#53 - 5 Big Questions Commonly AskedThere are often a number of questions about prosthetic makeup that get asked often. We put together the top 5 that keep cropping up and do a deep dive into our responses. 1. How do I match an appliance to a person's skin tone? 2. How do I ensure a good edge on an appliance? 3. How can I create good work without spending a fortune on materials? 4. How do I get work? 5. Will computers take over the work of makeup artists? Check out the blog post with extensive notes (and a downloadable booklet) by . Also, you can leave a voice message directly on o...
2020-04-121h 36
Stuart Bray#52 - Brandon & Jacquie RyanTodd talks with his good friends and fellow artists, Jacquie & Brandon Ryan. This episode looks at how people teach, learn, and maybe don't learn. We all need a motivation to learn, and many of us will require different styles of learning such as visual, auditory, practical hands-on tasks or live demonstration to get started. One simple rule to remember is this: Sucking is learning. Making mistakes is when you learn. Learn how to make mistakes and pick yourself up. Nobody likes failing, but using that as fuel is worthwhile. As the military put it - 'Pain retains!'
2020-04-021h 35
Stuart Bray#51- Neill GortonI first met Neill with a folio tucked under my arm for my interview I had managed to arrange at Ealing Studios in 1995. My first job with him was making oversized Casio watches, which were fibreglassed out of silicone moulds to make G-Shock watch display units. --------------------------------- Check out our new website: --------------------------------- One thing I have always noticed about Neill is that he has a seemingly fearless approach to problem-solving. He will go directly to the source and grab whatever is the root of the issue in order to overcome it. This seems to me to be the single...
2020-03-192h 05
Stuart Bray#50 - Richard McEvoy CromptonAt IMATS London 2019, I sat and had a great chat with Rick from Bolton University. For those that may not be aware, a breif Rick bio: "Richard is a senior lecturer and Programme Leader of the Special Effects for Film and TV degree at the University of Bolton. He’s been teaching at the university for several years and specialises in character work, in both the prosthetic make-up effects and model-making fields. " In the episode, we talk about the massive effect 3D printing and technology is having on what was previously a traditional skills area. What is cool is that ne...
2020-01-181h 07
Stuart Bray#49 - Matthew MungleIn this episode, I got to chat with Matthew Mungle & visit his jail cell! Matthew and his company, WM Creations have been responsible for makeup effects on scores of shows and racked up a lot of awards and nominations in the process - for a deep dive into that, check out Matthews IMDb profile. The actual real-life holding cell in the studio, now decked out with suitably spooky decorations and effects! So much fun. Todd and I also wax lyrical about the joys of epoxy and plaster, silicones we like for flat moulds and release agents for Pros-Aide transfers. We...
2019-12-181h 38
Stuart Bray#48 - Neil MorrillIn this episode, Neill Morrill joins me in the workshop as we hit up Todd in Colorado and chat about our collaborated efforts on the makeup we did for The Prosthetics Event 2019. Neil is originally from the UK but moved to Toronto in the early 2000s and has worked on a number of high profile shows over the years such as 300, The Strain, Suicide Squad, Hereditary, It, Shazam! and the What We Do In The Shadows series. It was an absolute joy working with Neil on our homage to Rick Bakers' 'Reverend Brown' makeup on Arsenio Hall from 1988 classic Coming...
2019-12-1258 min
Battles With Bits of RubberNeil Morrill In this episode, Neill Morrill joins me in the workshop as we hit up Todd in Colorado and chat about our collaborated efforts on the makeup we did for The Prosthetics Event 2019. Neil is originally from the UK but moved to Toronto in the early 2000s and has worked on a number of high profile shows over the years such as 300, The Strain, Suicide Squad, Hereditary, It, Shazam! and the What We Do In The Shadows series. It was an absolute joy working with Neil on our homage to Rick Bakers' 'Reverend Brown...
2019-12-1258 min
Stuart Bray#47 - Kate BentonIn this episode, Todd and Stu talk about our week making moulds with epoxy, dropping sculpts and moulage effects for first responder training. Earlier in 2019, Stu got to sit and chat with some fine folks at IMATS London and a chat with makeup designer Kate Benton kicks off the first of these finally edited up after a crazy industry year. This is the sculpt I was detailing and then dropped. Doh! As you may know, this podcast is a side hustle for us which has been on the backburner for a while as the industry rocked the makeup case hard...
2019-11-181h 02
Battles With Bits of Rubber#47 - Kate BentonIn this episode, Todd and Stu talk about our week making moulds with epoxy, dropping sculpts and moulage effects for first responder training. Earlier in 2019, Stu got to sit and chat with some fine folks at IMATS London and a chat with makeup designer Kate Benton kicks off the first of these finally edited up after a crazy industry year. This is the sculpt I was detailing and then dropped. Doh! As you may know, this podcast is a side hustle for us which has been on the backburner for a while as...
2019-11-181h 02
Stuart Bray#46 - Makeup EducationStarting Education In Makeup Effects & Prosthetics This episode is prompted by seeing a few questions on forums about how best to learn about makeup FX and prosthetics. Where to go and what to learn? Depending on what you want to be able to do, let's also draw a distinction between a makeup artist who sometimes will apply a prosthetic v someone who specialises in creating and applying more complex pieces. Some people want to exist in the workshop only and have no interest in being on set all day. It takes all types but understands there is a profession which...
2019-11-101h 27
Stuart Bray#45 - Jordu SchellJordu Schell has been pushing clay around for a while and knows a thing or two about sculpting. Creating concepts for characters and creatures, masks, makeups and beautifully crafted designs, he also teaches his craft all over the world and has recently released the first of a series of downloadable books The Professional Creature Design Handbook. In this podcast we chat about: The headspace of sculpting The frustration of failing and why it matters Using nature as inspiration and reference The pitfalls of copying styles (Aping the style without understanding the deeper truth behind it) Teaching and learning styles around...
2019-09-101h 17
Battles With Bits of RubberJordu Schell Jordu Schell has been pushing clay around for a while and knows a thing or two about sculpting. Creating concepts for characters and creatures, masks, makeups and beautifully crafted designs, he also teaches his craft all over the world and has recently released the first of a series of downloadable books The Professional Creature Design Handbook. In this podcast we chat about: The headspace of sculpting The frustration of failing and why it matters Using nature as inspiration and reference The pitfalls of copying styles (Aping the style without...
2019-09-101h 17
Stuart Bray#44 - Colorado 2019It’s been a while since Todd & I have podcasted, so apologies for the slow return to form. It’s been a brutal few months, mainly as I have been on the new Netflix/BBC version of Dracula which has kept my hands red and my days long and busy. Naturally, NDA’s prevent me from divulging what’s what but rest assured, fans of the Hammer style will enjoy the perfect casting of Danish actor Claes Bang in the lead role. Dave and Lou Elsey ran the Prosthetics department, and the small crew we had was kept busy. Makeup dept head...
2019-08-1540 min
Stuart Bray#43 - Paul Savage OBE"Paul walked into a Lifeboat station on his 17th birthday and never left, initially volunteering at Poole and now at Tower Lifeboat in London. So far he has been a Search and Rescue Volunteer with the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) and HM Coastguard for 31 years." So reads the write-up for the honours listing of Pauls OBE, a high honour of recognition for sterling work which he continues to do within maritime medicine and emergency response. Training those who deal with emergency and pre-hospital medicine is no mean feat, and making sure casualty makeup used in training medical personnel is...
2019-04-271h 56
Stuart Bray#42 - Sculpting with Pauline FowlerIn this podcast we talk about art, what it means to be an artist, why we do it, and the challenges we face in trying to make a living doing this.
This was mostly brought about because of the fantastic conversation I had with my first ever boss when I started working in effects in 1994.
Pauline and business partner, Nik Williams run Animated Extras, an effects company specialising in prosthetics, animatronics, puppets, creature suits, fake bodies and many animals from elephants, bats, sharks...you name it. In their own words...
"From singing sloths to the putrefying corpses of Hollywood A-listers...
2019-03-281h 41
Stuart Bray#41 - Richard RedlefsenRichard Redlefsen is someone I saw for the first time a few years back at the UMAE where he was applying his demo makeup on the PPI stand.
What was of note for me was how particular and precise everything was. Care was taken at every turn, and it struck me that the amount of effort that takes must come from a deep well.
So it was a great pleasure to sit and chat with the man himself, and I could ask if he thought of this about himself and if we could pick apart where that comes from. As...
2019-01-231h 35
Stuart Bray#40 - Rick BakerRick Baker knows a thing or two about making stuff in rubber.
It’s also fair to say he knows a thing or two about the digital world too, as he has been mixing the two for a while.
In 2015, when it was announced that Rick was to close his shop, the FX world was stunned and the bell tolled once again for the end of all practical effects as people speculated the end of live-action anything.
There was a Vice article at the time which claimed (again) the ‘CGI was killing the industry’ which, if you were knee deep in rub...
2018-12-141h 31
Stuart Bray#39 - Halloween Harm & Rubber ChickensSomething that Don talked about passionately in our interview was how (mostly) young, creative people can be in a position to get taken advantage of. When working starting out, you are not likely to be handed a position of massive responsibility with large sums of money and heavy hitting clients.
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2018-12-041h 11
Stuart Bray#38 -The Mighty Don Lanning part 2We are back with more Don!
Even though I was there when we recorded, I still get a buzz hearing back what we spoke about. Simply put, Don will make you better and get you thinking about sculpting.
In part 2 we spoke to Don about:
- Ego
- Looking for the positives
- Music whilst sculpting
- Using the same tool to get many results
- Sculptures that want to come out
- Deadlines
- Chisel shape tipped rubber clay shapers
At the time of writing, Don had just finished his workshop in the week leading up to the Prosthetic...
2018-11-281h 08
Stuart Bray#37 -The Mighty Don Lanning part 1If you have any sculpting ambition or love for any monster movies made in the last twenty years, then you should know the name, Don Lanning.
Not only is he a gifted craftsman who has worked hard for his place, but he is also a gifted teacher who can help make others better, and he is damn fine fella the whole time he is doing it.
Don has been working away on productions for years as a hired gun on well know movies such as Hollow Man, Ghosts of Mars, Vanilla Sky, Hellboy, AVP, Silent Hill, The Avengers, and Aquaman...
2018-11-261h 04
Stuart Bray#36 - Trailer ChatAfter the madness of Monsterpalooza 2018, we had the chance to grab the gang for a wind down chat to debrief about the trip and talk about what we got up to.
It was a fun time, and I hope the warmth of a truly magical few days comes across, as Todd and I were truly humbled at the non-stop kindness and generosity we were liberally soaked with.
Adrian and I met in 1995 when we both travelled out to LA to take a look at the FX scene and see how it worked at the start of what we hoped to...
2018-11-011h 34
Battles With Bits of Rubber#36 - Trailer Chat After the madness of Monsterpalooza 2018, we had the chance to grab the gang for a wind down chat to debrief about the trip and talk about what we got up to. It was a fun time, and I hope the warmth of a truly magical few days comes across, as Todd and I were truly humbled at the non-stop kindness and generosity we were liberally soaked with. Anticlockwise from bottom: Me, Sam Shuck, Adrian Rigby, Eryn Kreuger Mekash and Todd Debreceni hanging out in the magical trailer I stayed in.
2018-11-011h 34
Stuart Bray#35 - Steve LaPorteSteve LaPorte was a joy to speak with. For one thing, he is incredibly talented and has a fantastic body of work.
That aside, he also recalls exactly how he got there and can track back the step by step process of how he got there.
It’s a wonderful thing when someone can trace back their steps and know how they got to where they have and are keen to help others understand what is important.
Steve talks about the importance of knowing how to make things work rather than always relying on an endlessly supplied workshop to solve ev...
2018-09-0452 min
Stuart Bray#34 - Michael WestmoreMichael Westmore has done battle with rubber for a few shows, it’s fair to say.
With a long career spanning every aspect of makeup, he comes from a several generation deep family which practically bleeds greasepaint. Many know of his work on Star Trek, but the breadth of his experience is quite something.
Awared the Academy Award in 1985 for Mask, a moving story of Roy L. “Rocky” Dennis who suffered from Craniodiaphyseal dysplasia, Michael is well placed to comment on extreme prosthetic makeovers to subtle, undetectable straight makeup corrections.
Michael has recently told his own story in ‘Makeup Man‘, a memoir m...
2018-09-0429 min
Stuart Bray#33 - Contact Lenses with Cristina Patterson & Bob SmithsonContact lenses are pretty easy to find nowadays. It wasn’t always so, and the increased use of lenses has meant an increase in opportunities to have problems with eyes caused by them.
Movies have used lenses for a while, and one of the names which lead the way was Greenspoon. I recall watching the credits of The Lost Boys, and the name ‘Morton K. Greenspoon’ etched itself in my head as those bright yellow vampire lenses really did stand out for me as an excellent example of what a lens can do.
We chatted to Cristina Patterson of Eye Ink FX...
2018-09-0434 min
Battles With Bits of RubberSteve LaPorte Steve LaPorte was a joy to speak with. For one thing, he is incredibly talented and has a fantastic body of work. That aside, he also recalls exactly how he got there and can track back the step by step process of how he got there. It’s a wonderful thing when someone can trace back their steps and know how they got to where they have and are keen to help others understand what is important. Steve talks about the importance of knowing how to make things work rather than al...
2018-09-0452 min
Battles With Bits of RubberMichael Westmore Makeup Man Michael Westmore has done battle with rubber for a few shows, it's fair to say. With a long career spanning every aspect of makeup, he comes from a several generation deep family which practically bleeds greasepaint. Many know of his work on Star Trek, but the breadth of his experience is quite something. To read more on the subject, check out a brief history of it here, on Wikipedia or track down a copy of 'The Westmores Of Hollywood'. Awared the Academy Award in 1985 for Mask, a moving story of Roy...
2018-08-2929 min
Stuart Bray#32 - Allan Apone & Brad Look Respect The Craft!Todd and I had a great morning chatting with Allan A. Apone and Brad Look at MEL headquarters (Makeup Effects Lab) based up in North Hollywood.
MEL now occupies a huge area of workshops and produces effects for shows as well as products used by artists in the industry, including PAX paints, baldcaps and appliances. Starting out as a small lab in 1978, it now boasts some 18000 square feet of facility.
Their website is MEL Products USA and is worth checking out!
Our tour took us from machine shop to foam room, silicone lab and woodshop, all surrounded by a million...
2018-05-271h 16
Stuart Bray#31 - Steve WangOne of the great things about Monsterpalooza, and other makeup FX heavy trade shows is you get to meet the people who make a life around doing the work, and who care enough to help others do it too.
For my money, this chat with sculpting and creature legend Steve Wang was the most potent use of 20 minutes anyone could have. Steve was in high demand, but Todd managed to get him for a short timeslot on the mic and we jumped straight in with the sculpting talk.
I wanted to get a grasp on why ZBrush was still a...
2018-05-2730 min
Battles With Bits of RubberEp #32 - Allan Apone & Brad Look Respect The Craft! Todd and I had a great morning chatting with Allan A. Apone and Brad Look at MEL headquarters (Makeup Effects Lab) based up in North Hollywood. MEL now occupies a huge area of workshops and produces effects for shows as well as products used by artists in the industry, including PAX paints, baldcaps and appliances. Starting out as a small lab in 1978, it now boasts some 18000 square feet of facility. Their website is MEL Products USA and is worth checking out! Our tour took us from machine shop to...
2018-05-271h 16
Battles With Bits of Rubber#31 - Steve Wang One of the great things about Monsterpalooza, and other makeup FX heavy trade shows is you get to meet the people who make a life around doing the work, and who care enough to help others do it too. For my money, this chat with sculpting and creature legend Steve Wang was the most potent use of 20 minutes anyone could have. Steve was in high demand, but Todd managed to get him for a short timeslot on the mic and we jumped straight in with the sculpting talk. I wanted to...
2018-05-1930 min
Stuart Bray#30 - Chris Lyons & Fangs FXChris and Fangs FX is who we call when we need teeth, but there is a lot more to Fangs FX than just …well…fangs!
This is the first of a series of interviews Todd and I did at Monsterpalooza 2018, a three day event in Los Angeles which was busting at the seams with visitors, demos and vendors. It was amazing, and Todd and I applied my Bela Lugosi makeup for the Rick Baker Tribute on the enourmous PPI Premiere Products Inc stand.
We grabbed Chris for a chat outside the venue as it was far quieter than inside, and talk...
2018-05-1029 min
Stuart Bray#29 - Packrat (mini episode)So, this is my turn at soloing for a brief episode of Battles with Bits of Rubber.
And, depending on responses to my musings, perhaps Stuart and I can extend this into a longer broadcast with tips from you all on how to get rid of unwanted and no longer needed stuff.
As usual, you can get the podcast on iTunes/apple podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, Soundcloud....basiclally wherever podcasts are found. Not sure what this podcast nonsense is all about? Email me for help: stuartandtodd@gmail.com
Hi. My name is Todd. And I’m a pack rat.
(Hi...
2018-02-2006 min
Battles With Bits of Rubber#29 - Packrat (mini episode)So, this is my turn at soloing for a brief episode of Battles with Bits of Rubber. And, depending on responses to my musings, perhaps Stuart and I can extend this into a longer broadcast with tips from you all on how to get rid of unwanted and no longer needed stuff. Hi. My name is Todd. And I’m a pack rat. (Hi, Todd!) Let’s face it, most of us have too much stuff. Stuff we don’t use, stuff we don’t need, and stuff we don’t even rem...
2018-02-2006 min
Stuart Bray#28 - MunichI had the great privilege to be asked to teach some masters degree students at Theaterakademie August Everding in Munich, Germany recently. I had a splendid time!
The three students I worked with all had ambitious, figurative projects which they had been working on for some weeks when I arrived for my five-day stint there.
* Daniel Riedl had made a full-size figure leaning out of a bath and was in the final sculpting stages preparing to make ready for moulding.
*Julian Hutcheson had just moulded his sculpt of a male torso, and in the week we mixed and cast out...
2018-01-311h 21
Stuart Bray#27 - Stu MusingsSeven hours is a big time difference to deal with when trying to synchronise a podcast with two people. To help with that, Todd and I figured we’d add some extra single features to help keep the show moving.
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At Pinewood studios, I was teaching a great class which had me thinking a lot about what we teach and why. I seized the moment to share my observations which briefly were:
* When and why to premake pieces way in advance versus fabricating something up directly onto the skin.
*The difference between knowing about something and mastering it.
*Keeping a...
2018-01-3128 min
Stuart Bray#26 - Sangeet Prahbaker - Open Source, Open MindSangeet Prabhaker is now pretty well known for creating high quality prosthetic transfers, moulds made which contain the appliances and are used directly in their application. I chatted with Sangeet in his home studio in North London, and we spent four hours talking about moulds, standing on the shoulders of giants, using old-school materials in new ways.
Show notes and links on the blog post for this episode: http://www.learnmakeupeffects.com/studiosangeet/
2018-01-032h 01
Stuart Bray#25 - Chris Dombos: 3D Prince3D printing is having an effect on the way things are made.
This episode talks about what those things are, how it benefits us all and how you can get involved.
Chris Dombos knows a thing or two about 3D printing, and he is also a massive FX nerd so we got on rather well. Having met him first at LA IMATS in Jan 2017 (I discovered he had some of the original Lost Boys moulds), it made sense to catch up when he came over to London recently. Of course, I figured bring the mic and make a podcast out...
2017-12-271h 41
Stuart Bray#24 - Meet The MekashesThis podcast was a lot of fun to do!
I met up with the Mekashes (Eryn and Mike) at their hotel as they were over for The Prosthetics Event here in the UK. Eryn Krueger Mekash is the makeup head on many shows, notably most recently American Horror Story. Her bio on IMDb reads:
Credits include TV shows Glee, Nip/Tuck & Movies such as Flags of our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima, My Sisters Keeper.
Eryn Krueger Mekash has 30 years of television and film industry experience as a makeup artist and is diversified in beauty, makeup effects and design. Her...
2017-12-191h 52
Battles With Bits of Rubber#24 - Eryn Kruger Mekash This podcast was a lot of fun to do. I met up with the Mekashes (Eryn and Mike) at their hotel as they were over for The Prosthetics Event here in the UK. I was lucky enough to squeeze in a face to face interview and had a frankly wonderful time chatting with a couple of lovely people who also are amazing artists and FX nerds. Listen here, or on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Soundcloud or whatever podcatcher you like to use. Her credits include TV shows Glee, Nip/Tuck & Movies such...
2017-12-191h 52
Stuart Bray#23 - 5 Things You'd like To Know When Learning Prosthetics5 THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW (OR WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE KNOWN) WHEN LEARNING PROSTHETIC MAKEUP
I'm still learning every day. I still make mistakes and I am still worried that every job I am about to start will go wrong. That feeling has never gone away and I suspect it never will. The trick is to get used to the sensation, understand that it isn't abnormal and to get on with the job anyway.
There are many things which often get taught again and again at makeup school, but along the way there are also things I noticed which...
2017-11-241h 13
Battles With Bits of Rubber#23 - 5 THINGS YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW (OR WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE KNOWN) WHEN LEARNING PROSTHETIC MAKEUP5 THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW (OR WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE KNOWN) WHEN LEARNING PROSTHETIC MAKEUP I'm still learning every day. I still make mistakes and I am still worried that every job I am about to start will go wrong. That feeling has never gone away and I suspect it never will. The trick is to get used to the sensation, understand that it isn't abnormal and to get on with the job anyway. There are many things which often get taught again and again at makeup school, but along the way...
2017-11-231h 13
Stuart Bray#22 - Rob Burns- Cutting Edge#22 - Rob Burns: Cutting Edge
Rob Burns makes great sculpting tools because he sculpts and knows what works. It helps to know your tools, and in the podcast, he chats about how he started the company and how he paid his dues.
We also chat with Mitch of Brick In The Yard again, and we talk about the proliferation of information in the hi-tech age and how having so much information on hand doesn't necessarily mean that it makes it into the brain. Incidentally, this is what the tribble-like recorder looked like which we mention in the podcast
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Sculpting...
2017-11-161h 49
Stuart Bray#21 - Allen Hopps - ScaremasterAllen Hopps is the director of Dark Hour, a huge haunt attraction in Plano, Texas.
I wanted to take a tour and chat with Allen about what it takes to keep people scared and the business of running a haunt all year round.
When people think about creating makeup effects, masks and prosthetics, it's usually associated with film and TV shows. In the US, Halloween is pretty big and getting bigger every year.
I went for a tour of the huge show floor and got to see behind the scenes where all the in-house stuff gets made - from sets...
2017-08-211h 35
Stuart Bray#19 - IMATS LA 2017This podcast episode is the belated accompaniment to the blog post:
http://www.learnmakeupeffects.com/imats-la-2017/
We had a blast, learned some stuff and made some new friends. It was amazing, and I can't wait until IMATS London when I'll be back! Until then, please enjoy and get in touch with us at stuartandtodd@gmail.com and our facebook page.
Please also check out the breakdowns of the makeup demos, there is extensive behind the scenes info on the build of both makeup demos:
Demo 1: Worm Infection!
http://www.learnmakeupeffects.com/imats-la-makeup-demo-2/
Demo 2: Todds' Crazy Eyes!
http://www.learnmakeupeffects.com...
2017-03-2737 min
Stuart Bray#18 - All Aboard The Freit Train part 2http://www.learnmakeupeffects.com/all-aboard-the-freit-train-part-2/
In part 2 of our discussion, Rob Freitas talks about the value of knowing about the unknowns.
He sheds some light on the importance of knowing to look at what was before and honours great artists like Gil Liberto (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0508847/) who does incredible work for the likes of at Joel Harlow (Star Trek, anyone?).
When going to trade shows and being asked to speak, Rob likes to share what he has known but he is there to be fed knowledge as well as to feed others. He doesn’t want to be t...
2017-03-091h 34
Stuart Bray#17 - All aboard the Freit Train part 1http://www.learnmakeupeffects.com/all-aboard-the-freit-train-part-1/
Rob Freitas is one of the best-known mould makers in the industry and has a phenomenal reputation.
Not only is he incredibly skilled at making moulds but he has a passion for the provenance of the techniques which he uses and cares deeply to help interested parties understand so they can be better too.
He also will redirect much of the attention he gets to his predecessors and those peers whom he feels deserve more attention. It’s a very generous attitude which I believe is born out of an unabashed passion for the subject an...
2017-03-091h 12
Stuart Bray#16 - Rob Smith, Master Of Blood: Part 2Rob Smith continues his chat with me about foam latex, blood and other FX related goodies. Also, Todd and I talk about our favorite podcasts, and whether or not the word 'mustard' is actually an expression.
Todd and I will be at IMATS 2017, 13th-15th Jan 2017. How about that.
(http://imats.net/2017-los-angeles/)
Email us at the usual address, stuartandtodd@gmail.com
2016-12-271h 33
Stuart Bray#15 - Rob Smith, Master Of Blood: Part 1It's something gets thrown around a lot in film, TV and theatre. There's bad blood, good blood, mudbloods, blood thicker than water and blood brothers.
This episode we're talking about blood, and our guest this time is Rob Smith, blood master as well as an all-around effects bod. He also runs a lot of foam, and makes exquisite soft foam appliances which you really need to feel to appreciate.
He makes his own pieces but runs a lot of foam for other people, and you'll certainly have seen his work if you've been to the cinema in the last few...
2016-12-042h 05
Stuart Bray#14 - Scanners & SchoonraadsA little look at the influence of digital technology on the practical effects workflow.
Bear in mind the problems we try to overcome - namely to create an illusion which appears real such as a decapitation, an injury taking place or some kind of transformation - these issues are the reason that we strive for new and better methods. That desire to create is the wind in the sails, and we have always used the best available to get that.
Digital has affected everything, every industry and we have changed along with it. Despite that, it's a tool and one...
2016-11-261h 51
Stuart Bray#13 - Mitch at Brick In The YardBlog post with more images: http://www.learnmakeupeffects.com/bity/
Brick In The Yard isn't the most obvious name to give to a successful FX material supplier. There is a good reason for it though, as you will hear in this podcast.
Mitch Rogers is the evil genius behind Brick In The Yard (BITY), one of the largest suppliers of FX materials in Texas and from the store, they ship out all kinds of materials worldwide.
Mitch took some time to show me around the shop and hang out so we could talk Gorezone magazine, silicone babies, the craft of...
2016-08-251h 59
Stuart Bray#12 - Rob Burman InterviewRob Burman is a damned nice fella and kindly took some time to share some of his wisdom, and we are all grateful he did. Thanks, Rob!
If you don't know the name 'Burman' then you must be pretty new to the FX world, because frankly the name is as synonymous with makeup and practical effects as The Rolling Stones is to music.
Rob is a third generation Burman, and the name is found in the credits of some of the most well-known horror and Sci-Fi movies ever shot. Being from the Burman legacy doesn't get you a free ride...
2016-08-1849 min
Stuart Bray#11 - The One With Thomas SurprenantThe last time we talked about making foam latex, the craft and materials involved in actually producing the foam. This time around, we figured it would be a good call to look at painting and art finishing.
Painting foam latex is different from painting skin or translucent appliances like silicone or gelatine, as naturally you have to create the appearance of translucency on something which is opaque.
Thomas Surprenant is long serving makeup artist with a hefty list of credits, from Deep Space 9, Donnie Darko, The Grinch, X-Men The Last Stand… but not only is he a working makeup artist, he...
2016-08-051h 38
Stuart Bray#10 - Foam Latex - It's Smelly But Good!*** Foam Latex - It's Smelly But Good! ***
Foam Latex was the main material appliances and pretty much anything skin-like was made of for long time. It is only relatively recently that silicone has taken it's place, and with good reason.
There are a lot of benefits to silicone as an appliance material, and because of these reasons it may be that if you're new to makeup effects, you may not have yet laid hands on foam pieces..
It may be that you'll never want or need to run foam latex yourself, but will apply a premade piece and we will...
2016-07-231h 00
Stuart Bray#9 - Symmetry, Schools & Fool#9 - Symmetry, Schools & Fools
Symmetry in sculpting appliances
Whilst teaching a class recently, a student was hung up on getting the nose perfectly symmetrical. I explained as I often do that the human face isn't symmetrical, so going for complete mirror image reflection necessary.
Folio
Whilst at UMAE last week, I got to speaking with a lot of people starting out who wanted me to take a look at their folios. I like to talk people through what I see, and I know that when I was starting out that I really appreciated good advice from people that took the...
2016-05-1853 min
Stuart Bray#8 - Start Making & The Lowdown On Cap PlasticIt seems it would be handy to have some sensible steps to actually start making things. So check out the podcast on this very subject and also the lowdown on cap plastic.
After all, the longest of journeys start with a single step, so having some steps in mind will help you start if you are not sure where to begin making.
2016-04-251h 07
Stuart Bray#6 - Geoff Portass Interview (pt1)Hey folks, it’s just me today as Todd is pretty sick with a bad cold, so get well soon Todd. Hope you get fixed up and back on track soon.
We’ve got a great interview with someone who was the first person I ever got in touch with. Geoff Portass started Image Animation with business partner Bob Keen, and the company worked on some iconic genre movies and shows in the late 80’s and early 90’s. They also spawned the careers of some of the best known fx artists working today.
I still have my letters from 1990 when Geoff re...
2016-04-101h 27
Stuart Bray#5 - Colour Theory In PracticeColour theory is a crucial part of makeup, especially if you are in the business of trying make a portion of the face out of rubber and make it look like it belongs there and is the same as the real skin which surrounds it.
Prosthetics magazine #3
This podcast accompanies the article we wrote for Neill Gortons 'Prosthetics' magazine, jam packed with tutorials and great behind the scenes goodies for all things prosthetic!
This is especially true when mixing your skin tone into your appliance material in the case of silicone or gelatine appliances.
The materials are different, but the...
2016-03-3157 min
Battles With Bits of Rubber#1 - Sticky Situations: The Zen Of Prosthetic Adhesives & Removers This podcast is the first joint blog post venture with Stuart Bray and Todd Debreceni. Todd is author of 'Special Makeup Effects For Stage And Screen', what many consider to be the modern makeup FX bible. Stuart Bray is a working makeup FX artist with many years experience. Credits include 'Saving Private Ryan', 'Shaun of the Dead', 'Dr Who' and more recently 'Game of Thrones'. This one is all about the glues and removers we use with prosthetics. One thing is for sure, people get confused about which is what and why. This...
2016-03-1454 min
Stuart BrayFriday 13th - the first 2015 FX PodcastTodd and I have been chatting, as we both let the blogging slip because of work - so we are back with a plan to do more podcasts to give responses to email questions on a regular basis.
So, we caught up in this podcast to get the ball rolling again - listen here or download it from here to listen to later. It was recorded on Friday 13th....so it isn't about the movie Friday the 13th, so sorry to the Michael Myers fans.....this time we're talking plaster heads and master moulds, plastiline and apps to help design.
2015-02-1634 min
Stuart BrayShooting Guns At Meat PodcastThis podcast from the blog post: www.learnmakeupeffects.com/shooting-guns-at-meat
In this podcast we take an interesting approach to capturing the effect of gunshot trauma and being able to recreate the three dimensional results by moulding the results
2014-06-1619 min
Stuart BrayThe Lifecasting Podcast - Tips & TricksCheck out the blogpost on this subject too: http://www.learnmakeupeffects.com/lifecasting-tipstricks/
Lifecasting is an essential, basic skill used in makeup effects and prosthetics - whether to create a custom fit appliance or to make a lifelike prop without sculpting from scratch.
In this podcast, Stuart & Todd share cool tips and tricks about this important yet varied subject.
Got an FX question you want to see covered? Email it to stuartandtodd@gmail.com
2014-01-1744 min
Stuart BraySticky Situations: The Zen Of Prosthetic Adhesives & RemoversThis podcast is the first joint blog post venture with Stuart Bray and Todd Debreceni, author of 'Special Makeup Effects For Stage And Screen', what many consider to be the modern makeup FX bible.
Stuart Bray is a working makeup FX artist with many years experienc. Credits include 'Saving Private Ryan', 'Shaun of the Dead', 'Dr Who' and more recently 'Game of Thrones'.
If you have any FX questions you would like to see made into a featured blog post, then get in touch: stuartandtodd@gmail.com
2013-12-1354 min