Lesson 1Budget-conscious sourcing and substitutions: where to cut cost without sacrificing camera-readinessThis section teaches budget-conscious sourcing without losing camera quality. You will learn where to invest, where to save, how to substitute materials safely, and how bulk buying and planning reduce waste and emergency 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 colourants: alcohol-activated palettes, silicone paints, PAX mixtures, pigment mixing and dilutionThis section explains key makeup colour systems for prosthetics and gore, comparing alcohol-activated palettes, silicone paints, and PAX. You will learn pigment mixing, dilution, durability, and how to match skin and camera requirements.
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, colours, drying behaviour, edible vs washable vs stage blood, coagulation controlThis section explores blood products for camera use, including viscosity, colour, and drying. You will compare edible, washable, and stage blood, and learn how to manage flow, staining, and coagulation for 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 usesHere you will learn how to formulate, cast, and maintain latex and gelatin appliances. We cover setting behaviour, shrinkage, longevity, and how to repurpose these materials as backups when silicone or foam latex are not feasible.
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 shellsThis section details casting materials used to produce prosthetics and props. You will compare silicone pourables, polyurethane resins, plaster, foam latex, and support shells, learning when each excels and how to avoid common failures.
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 behaviour, and when to chooseHere we compare foam latex and prosthetic gelatine, focusing on structure, movement, and heat response. You will learn when to choose each, how to test softness and rebound, and how to avoid failure under hot lights or long days.
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 itemsThis section focuses on hygiene, disposables, and actor comfort. You will learn how gloves, barrier films, sterile wipes, and disposable applicators maintain cleanliness while comfort items keep performers safe and cooperative.
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 removersHere you will explore adhesives and removers for prosthetics. We compare Pros-Aide, medical adhesives, silicone adhesives, and removers, focusing on bond strength, flexibility, skin safety, and efficient, gentle cleanup.
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 partsThis section covers how to store, label, and transport SFX materials and finished pieces. You will learn about packaging, temperature control, shock protection, and assembling on-set repair kits and spare parts for emergencies.
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, armaturesHere we examine essential tools and rigging hardware for SFX work. You will learn how sculpting tools, brushes, sponges, dental tools, clamps, and armatures support clean sculpts, secure rigs, and efficient on-set adjustments.
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 sealantsHere we cover skin-safe primers and barrier products that protect performers. You will compare barrier creams, medical-grade sealants, and liquid latex, learning when each is appropriate and how they affect adhesion and removal.
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 12Mould-making materials: alginate for lifecasts, silicone mould rubbers, plaster bandages, mothermoulds, release agentsHere you will learn the main mould-making materials for lifecasts and prosthetic production. We cover alginate, silicone mould rubbers, plaster bandages, rigid mothermoulds, and release agents, with tips for safety and repeatable results.
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 backupThis section introduces 3D-assisted workflows for prosthetics and transfers. You will learn how scanning, printing lifecasts, and 3D-printed sculpt bases support thin 3D transfers and backup pieces that integrate with traditional 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 fibres, silicone gel, tissue techniquesHere we focus on building and blending texture using low-cost fillers. You will learn how cotton, tissue, spun latex, gelatin fibres, and silicone gel create scars, wounds, and transitions that hold up under close camera inspection.
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, suppliersThis section demystifies prosthetic silicones, comparing platinum and tin systems. You will understand shore hardness, cure inhibition, working times, and how to select suppliers and products that match performance, budget, and safety needs.
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
