With the growing popularity of special effects makeup, the demand for special effects makeup artists is also on the rise. These professionals’ work revolves around designing prosthetics pieces for clients using silicone, gelatin, or foam latex. These pieces alter a person’s appearance so much that you can hardly tell if the final look was created with a human face/body as the blank canvas. Some effects that these artists create include bruises, wounds, or brain-eating zombies.
To become a certified SFX makeup artist, you need to graduate from any college that offers special effects and prosthetics courses. There are many colleges that specifically train people to become prosthetists. They also participate in some practical sessions where they gain some experience in preparation for real work in the field. Outside of the curriculum, the students are also required to have an incredible passion for working with makeup.
A satisfying profession
Every professional you meet in this career path is passionate about what he/she does. Some of them have so much fun exploring their creativity that they don’t even believe that they actually get paid to do it. This is what happens when you love and enjoy your work.
The prosthetists wake up every morning and work so hard. Their biggest motivation being the difference that they make to the world. The movies and TV shows wouldn’t be the same without their input in the film industry
A profession with so much potential – still growing
Over the last couple of years, the field of prosthetic makeup has been “booming.” It wasn’t so long ago that prosthetic makeup services were too expensive because there were very few professionals specializing in the field. However, this has drastically changed. Nowadays, the number of SFX makeup artists has significantly grown, and now more people have access to their services.
How to become a great special effects makeup artist
As an SFX makeup artist, the only limit to your potential is your creativity. While some people pursue this career as a hobby, others take it up as their full-time profession. Either way, how can one ensure that they perfect their special effects makeup skills? We’ll give you some tips:
1. Start with the basics
As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. This is the same way you can’t expect to become a pro after the first week of enrolling in beauty school. It has taken years for some of the most popular special FX makeup artists to perfect their art.
Give yourself time to first learn the basic make skills then you can gradually transition to the crazy stuff. Soon you’ll master cuts and bruises which are the bread and butter of special effects makeup. With time you can then work your way into more complex designs that require molds and castings
2. Practice every chance you get
Practice makes perfect. This means that you should grab every chance you get to practice. This is the only way you will get better in your trade.
If you’re in school and don’t have a job yet, you can volunteer at community theater programs. Not only do these opportunities help you build your portfolio but give you exposure to the who is who in the SFX makeup industry. The more you volunteer the stronger your network grows.
3. Explore your limits
The SFX design process is all about creativity. This is one of the basics for any creative artist in whatever industry. Explore your wildest imaginations and use your art to express your inner thoughts.
Your creativity and originality play a huge role in determining whether or not you’ll be a great special effects makeup artist. Make people remember your creations by going above and beyond in your expression as an SFX makeup artist.
4. Love what you do
For some people, pursuing a career in special effects makeup might be all about the money but that’s not all there is to it. You need to possess a passion for it.
Does what you do make you happy? Because it should. This is something that you’ll wake up and have to do for almost every day of your life. If you don’t enjoy working as an SFX makeup artist your life will be one full of sadness.
Conclusion
Have you ever wondered how certain characters such as monsters and aliens get cast for TV shows? Of course, those are not real monsters and aliens. They are the masterpieces of super talented SFX makeup artists.
SFX makeup artists are in high demand today. This is a highly rewarding career that is more than “just a career” that demands hours upon hours of very talented makeup artists creating prosthetics. As an SFX makeup artist, you’ll work with actors who’ll help you bring your prosthetics as true to life as possible. If you prove your expertise, expect that your career will grow steadily and numerous opportunities will come knocking.
