Lesson 1Budget-conscious sourcing and substitutions: where to cut cost without sacrificing camera-readinessLearn smart ways to source on a budget while keeping camera quality high. Discover where to spend, where to save, safe swaps for materials, and how buying in bulk and planning cuts waste and surprise costs.
Prioritizing spend on hero vs background piecesSafe substitutions for high-cost materialsBulk purchasing and decanting strategiesReusing molds, cores, and support shellsTracking costs per look for future bidsLesson 2Makeup paints and colorants: alcohol-activated palettes, silicone paints, PAX mixtures, pigment mixing and dilutionExplore main makeup colour options for prosthetics and gore, weighing up alcohol-activated sets, silicone paints, and PAX mixes. Master pigment blending, thinning, lasting power, and matching to skin and camera needs.
Alcohol-activated palettes: opacity and reactivationSilicone paints for encapsulated and direct applicationsPAX mixtures: ratios, adhesion, and flexibilityPigment mixing for skin tones and bruisingSafe solvents and dilutions for on-set adjustmentsLesson 3Blood products: viscosities, colors, drying behavior, edible vs washable vs stage blood, coagulation controlDive into blood products for camera shots, covering thickness, shades, and drying. Compare edible, washable, and stage blood, plus ways to handle flow, stains, and clotting for smooth continuity and safety.
Matching blood color to lighting and cameraThin vs thick blood: flow and splatter controlEdible blood for mouth and near-eye useWashable vs permanent stain considerationsCoagulated clots and scab texture creationLesson 4Latex and gelatin: formulations, setting, longevity, backup usesLearn to mix, mould, and care for latex and gelatin pieces. We look at setting times, shrinking, lasting strength, and reusing them as stand-ins when silicone or foam latex won't do.
Latex formulations for slush and brush castingGelatin recipes for reusable prostheticsControlling setting time and shrinkageStorage, rewarming, and lifespan managementBackup uses when silicone is unavailableLesson 5Casting materials: silicone pourables, polyurethane resins, plaster, foam latex, support shellsDetails on casting supplies for prosthetics and props. Compare silicone liquids, polyurethane resins, plaster, foam latex, and support shells, knowing when each works best and dodging usual pitfalls.
Silicone pourables for soft skin piecesPolyurethane resins for rigid propsPlaster casting for cores and testsFoam latex casting into multi-part moldsSupport shells for flexible cast stabilityLesson 6Foam latex and prosthetic gelatine: structure, heat behavior, and when to chooseCompare foam latex and prosthetic gelatine on build, flex, and heat handling. Learn choice points, softness tests, rebound checks, and avoiding breakdowns under hot lights or long shifts.
Foam latex structure, cell size, and reboundGelatine density, translucency, and weightHeat behavior under lights and body warmthChoosing material by region and performanceTesting comfort and durability with actorsLesson 7Hygiene and disposables: gloves, barrier films, sterile wipes, disposable applicators, actor comfort itemsFocus on hygiene, throwaways, and actor ease. See how gloves, barrier films, sterile wipes, and single-use tools keep things clean, while comfort aids keep performers safe and willing.
Glove types and change protocolsBarrier films for chairs and surfacesSterile wipes and skin prep routinesDisposable applicators for shared productsComfort items: towels, fans, and blanketsLesson 8Adhesives and removers: pros AFX Pros-Aide, Medical adhesive, Pros-Aide Liquid, silicone adhesive, isopropyl/medical adhesive removersExplore glues and removers for prosthetics. Compare Pros-Aide, medical glues, silicone types, and removers on grip strength, flex, skin safety, and quick, kind cleanup methods.
Pros-Aide types and typical use casesMedical adhesive vs Pros-Aide performanceSilicone adhesive for silicone appliancesIsopropyl and medical adhesive removersAdhesion testing on different skin typesLesson 9Storage and transport: packaging, temperature control, on-set repair kits and spare partsCovers storing, tagging, and moving SFX supplies and pieces. Learn packing, temp checks, shock guards, and building set repair kits with spares for sudden needs.
Labeling and dating materials and mixesTemperature and light control in transitProtective packaging for finished prostheticsDesigning on-set repair and patch kitsSpare parts strategy for critical hero piecesLesson 10Tools and rigging: sculpting tools, brushes, stipple sponges, transfer sheets, dental tools, clamps, armaturesKey tools and rigging gear for SFX. Learn how sculpt tools, brushes, sponges, dental kit, clamps, and frames aid neat sculpts, firm rigs, and quick set tweaks.
Core sculpting tools and loop selectionBrushes and stipple sponges for textureDental tools for fine detail and cleanupClamps, magnets, and quick rigging aidsArmatures for stable lifecast-based sculptsLesson 11Skin-safe primers and barriers: barrier creams, liquid latex vs medical-grade sealantsSkin-safe primers and barriers to shield performers. Compare creams, medical sealants, and liquid latex, knowing best uses and effects on sticking and lifting.
Barrier creams for sensitive or damaged skinMedical-grade sealants under adhesivesLiquid latex as barrier and texture layerTesting for allergies and patch reactionsImpact on adhesion strength and removalLesson 12Mold-making materials: alginate for lifecasts, silicone mold rubbers, plaster bandages, mothermolds, release agentsMain mould materials for lifecasts and prosthetics. Cover alginate, silicone rubbers, plaster wraps, firm mothermoulds, and release aids, with safety and repeat tips.
Alginate selection and mix for lifecastingSilicone mold rubbers for repeat castingPlaster bandages for fast support shellsRigid mothermolds: fiberglass and alternativesChoosing and applying safe release agentsLesson 133D workflows and transfers (overview): 3D scanning, printing prosthetic lifecasts, 3D-printed sculpt base, thin 3D transfers as backupIntro to 3D-aided flows for prosthetics and transfers. See how scans, printed lifecasts, and 3D sculpt bases back thin transfers and spares that fit old methods.
3D scanning actors for accurate lifecasts3D printing lifecast positives and negativesPrinted sculpt bases for repeatable designsDesigning thin 3D transfers as backupsIntegrating 3D parts with hand-sculpted workLesson 14Textures and fillers: cotton, spun latex, gelatin fibers, silicone gel, tissue techniquesBuild and blend texture with cheap fillers. Learn cotton, tissue, spun latex, gelatin strands, and silicone gel for scars, wounds, and blends that pass close camera checks.
Cotton and latex buildup for raised woundsTissue layering for quick aging and tearingSpun latex webs for stringy gore effectsGelatin fibers for tendons and exposed tissueSilicone gel for seamless edge fillingLesson 15Silicones: platinum vs tin, shore hardness, pros/cons, suppliersUnpack prosthetic silicones, pitting platinum against tin. Grasp shore hardness, cure blocks, work times, and picking suppliers for fit, cost, and safety match.
Platinum vs tin silicone: chemistry and usesChoosing shore hardness for facial vs body piecesCure inhibition risks and contamination sourcesPigmenting and deadening silicone safelyEvaluating silicone suppliers and product lines
