In need of your help folks!

[typhenstein]

So yeah, I am in need of some help...I am wanting to get into making Mask, sculpting making Bust and all that other stuff that goes along with special effects and what not, I have been trying to find colleges around here that have courses for that, but I can't seem to find any, i'm not sure if maybe i'm just searching for the wrong stuff or not, but yeah, is there anything I should be searching for in general?

Should I just be searching for colleges with movie special effect courses? would that cover all the basics that I am wanting or do I need to also look up sculpting courses as well?

Hopefully some of you folks will be able to help me out with this problem, if not that's fine also.

-Brian

[butcherd at birth]

Dick Smith used to offer a course and I believe Tom Savini has a school.If i were you i would focus on sculpting if you can master that there are tons of books on mold making make up etc.

[razorwyre1]

check out the college for creative studies in detroit. they have a SPFX curriculum as well as a full sculpting curriculum

i dont know where you are in ontario, but you also might want to look into taking the class Casey Love is giving here in michigan in a few months.

[the green ghoul]

Like Razor said . take a class from an accomplished artist . Nothing better than one on one training. It will save you from having to pay off the next 20 years what you could have learned on your own or from books and DVDs/youtube.
Start sculpting and learn the anatomy of the human body. I'd start with the skull then move on to the muscles.

I'd start with a bust and clay or a pipe and clay .Focus on sculpting right now and not waste money of mold making, latex an painting supplies until you know you really like it.

I couldn't tell you how many people I have seen buy mask making kits only to quit before the rest of the kit was used.

You can start with these books and videos on sculpture.
http://philippefaraut.com/

http://www.figuresandfocus.com/

Always ask questions sometimes giving artists will give advice.
Most of us didn't learn in school nor had the internet.

[Americanwerewolf]

"I couldn't tell you how many people I have seen buy mask making kits only to quit before the rest of the kit was used."--The Green Ghoul

The Green Ghoul's words ring true! I am a painter and art school grad, but I have very little sculpture experience. I have books, DVDs, and I am always scouring the HMA site or YouTube for anything that might be helpful. The truth is (as with most things in life) that the more you practice the better you will get. I have been focusing primarily on becoming better at sculpting for about the last 4 months. I started by doing some small busts with wire and sculpey. These were small, quick, inexpensive pieces that I primaily did just to practice sculpting. I am now roughly 2 months into my first full size mask sculpt. I know that 2 months might seem like a long time, but I had to start over several times and make big changes to the sculpt as I learn what to do and what not to do. Trial and error man!

I have a kit from The Monster Makers that has just about all I need to make a few prototypes. These kits are great, but they are not cheap. Like Green Ghoul said--focus on sculpting and don't spend your money on other materials until you know that you are in it for the long run. Also, keep a sketchbook handy at all times so you can sketch out ideas when they come to you. Becoming better at drawing will help you in the design stage.

A couple resources that I use: "Mask Makers Handbook"(Arnold Goldman), Mark Alfrey's "Sculpting Movie Monsters" DVD, and the HMA site right here! Like Razor said--look into Casey Love's classes that he is planning on doing in Michigan. You might also want to check out Kosart Effects Studios, they do classes on mask making in Chicago. I will get some pics up of my mask sculpt soon so that I can get feedback from other HMA members. I am finding out that the best place to go for any questions regarding mask making is right here in the HMA forums. Keep us up to date Typhenstein and good luck with your project.

[chadspfx]

In my opinion, Dick Smith's course is the absolute best way to begin in the effects field. I studied with him 12 years ago and it was the most enriching and educational experience of my life. Although he is now retired, the course is still available and worth every penny. I also agree with "AmericanWerewolf"'s comment above, your mask is only as good as your sculpture, so get some clay and practice, practice, practice!!
Best of luck to you!
Chad O'Connell
chadoconnellart.com

[typhenstein]

thanks everyone for the comments, i think for right now i'll focus on doing the small stuff which i intended on doing, i'm also going to search youtube more for some videos, I'm also going to check out the books and dvd that you suggested Americanwerewolf, I would love to be able to go to Casey Love course but that's a bit far for me right now, my girlfriend is in her first year as a CYW and i'm doing a tattoo apprenticeship right now( still love doing that work but one my boss ego is way to big and i'm not sure if the cut throat job title is what i want, I hate all the little b.s and drama that comes with shop to be honest haha)

as for the art side of things I think i got that down pat, always trying to improve on my artwork, here's a link to my artwork on here.
http://www.thehma.net/hma/showthread...73-Art-Of-TypH

[scott967]

Heck if your in Canada, maybe you can talk ole Tony Pitocco into giving you a few lessons since he's in Canada too. You couldn't ask for a better sculptor...