FROM goblins on Harry Potter to wax works at Madame Tussauds – we all wonder how these fascinating works come to life. Reporter Lucy Greensmith finds out more about how special effects makeup works.
GAUGING scars, bulging veins and severed fingers – most of us don't think twice during a movie when you see these disgusting ailments, but a lot of hard work goes into that blood!
I went to the Grimsby Institute to join special effects makeup students who were learning how to make their models so gruesome and life-like ... what do they use to gain the effect?
To gain the full experience, I was the model (to my surprise) and tutor Dan Tuck and students decided on a beauty and the beast theme.
Dan has been in the industry for 15 years and reeled off a list of prestigious TV shows and films he has worked on, such the Saw films, Lord Of The Rings, Asylum, Dr Who,and Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban.
After he told me what sets he has worked on, I couldn't wait to see the end result.
To start, I took off all my makeup and a barrier mousse was applied so the foam half-face prosthetic wouldn't be stuck on permanently! A glue was added round the prosthetic, which covered an eye. The prosthetic was soft and white and didn't look anything special at the moment – but Dan assured me it would come to life within an hour and a half.
Dan said: "When I first got interested in special effects makeup, there weren't any courses for me to take, so I taught myself.
"I took books out of the library and practiced and practiced by recreating images. For a zombie look I got my mum's facemask peel and lipstick."
While my glue was drying I asked Dan what he had worked on and it's not just films.
"I've worked on films such as Lord Of The Rings in a Leeds studio creating hobbits, but I also do local theatre stuff for The Caxtons," he said.
Once the glue was dried with a final blast of a hair dryer, colour was added to blend the white prosthetic to my skin.
Student Jess Shipley dusted the prosthetic before makeup was added to make sure glue didn't show up.
Then student Laura Cook began the "beauty" side of my face by blending smokey eyes, mascara and red lipstick.
However, the other side of my face was looking a lot worse ... veins began to bulge, I had a gauging, sore neck and an infected eye – gross!
And to make my eye and neck look even more disgusting, simple Vaseline was added to give it a gooey look.
I asked Dan what it takes to become a special effects makeup artist. He said: "I think dedication and enthusiasm is essential – you're the first one there and the last one to leave the set because you have to put on the makeup and take it off.
"I have sometimes worked till 3am on a set – it's long hours and not all about meeting celebrities.
"I even take students on jobs with me so they can gain real-life experience, and they realise how much hard work it really is."
Dan said many students who he has taught have gone on to work for big movies such as the latest James Bond film Skyfall and even working on sets in the US.
Once my beauty and the beast look was completed, I couldn't believe the detail and realistic colouring.
The foam prosthetic was comfy, but it was strange closing my eye underneath it for two hours, but if I was an actor it would be on me for a day of filming.
Once the mask was on, it was time for it to come off and it took half an hour – it hurt a little with the prosthetic being glued onto my face, but the students did an excellent job using an orange smelling liquid which loosened it.
It was great to have my eye back, however it was fun having such a gruesome face.
Dan said he sells some of his prosthetics online and gets about £50 for them.
I then asked the students their thoughts on the course.
First year student Yaz Tyson, 20, from Cleethorpes said she did a short course in London, and then got hooked.
She said: "I loved doing the course in London and decided this is what I really want to do.
"So far I have enjoyed the casualty techniques, and we have been creating wounds from animal attacks to a hand in a lawnmower."
First year student Jade Cambell-Wilson, 23, also enjoys the gruesome techniques.
"I love the severed hand look, sores and slit throats," she said.
"I want to get into theatre makeup art after my course."
I wanted to learn more about what they do on the course and Tee Webb, programme leader for special effects makeup design at the Institute, told me more.
He said: "The programme is designed to turn out all-round special effects makeup artists, who have gained skills to become a freelance practitioner.
"The students enjoy the casualty side of special effects, and in their final years they will be able to recreate dead bodies, and all kinds of prosthetics."
He has been in the industry for 13 years and began in London.
He added: "Over the years I have worked on all sorts and one of my highlights was working on models for Madame Tussauds."
