Lesson 1Budget-conscious sourcing and substitutions: where to cut costs without sacrificing camera-readinessThis lesson teaches smart sourcing on a budget without compromising camera quality. You'll learn where to spend more, where to save, safe material swaps, and how bulk buying and planning cut down waste and sudden expenses.
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 dilutionThis lesson covers main makeup colour systems for prosthetics and gore, comparing alcohol-activated palettes, silicone paints, and PAX. You'll learn pigment mixing, dilution, durability, and matching skin tones 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, colours, drying behaviour, edible vs washable vs stage blood, coagulation controlThis lesson looks at blood products for camera work, covering thickness, colour, and drying. You'll compare edible, washable, and stage blood, and learn to control flow, stains, and clotting for shot 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'll learn to mix, cast, and maintain latex and gelatin pieces. It covers setting time, shrinkage, durability, and using these as backups when silicone or foam latex isn't practical.
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 lesson details casting materials for prosthetics and props. You'll compare silicone pourables, polyurethane resins, plaster, foam latex, and support shells, learning when each works best and avoiding common mistakes.
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'll learn when to pick each, test softness and bounce, and avoid failures under hot lights or long shoots.
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 lesson focuses on hygiene, disposables, and actor comfort. You'll learn how gloves, barrier films, sterile wipes, and disposable tools keep things clean while comfort items ensure performers stay safe and happy.
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'll explore adhesives and removers for prosthetics. We compare Pros-Aide, medical adhesives, silicone adhesives, and removers, focusing on bond strength, flexibility, skin safety, and quick, 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 lesson covers storing, labelling, and transporting SFX materials and pieces. You'll learn packaging, temperature control, shock protection, and building on-set repair kits and spares 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 cover essential tools and rigging for SFX. You'll learn how sculpting tools, brushes, sponges, dental tools, clamps, and armatures help with clean sculpts, secure rigs, and quick on-set changes.
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 discuss skin-safe primers and barriers to protect performers. You'll compare barrier creams, medical-grade sealants, and liquid latex, learning when to use each and their impact on 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 12Mold-making materials: alginate for lifecasts, silicone mold rubbers, plaster bandages, mothermolds, release agentsHere you'll learn main mold-making materials for lifecasts and prosthetics. We cover alginate, silicone mold rubbers, plaster bandages, rigid mothermolds, and release agents, with tips for safety and consistent 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 lesson introduces 3D-assisted workflows for prosthetics and transfers. You'll learn how scanning, printing lifecasts, and 3D-printed sculpt bases support thin 3D transfers and backups that work 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 fibers, silicone gel, tissue techniquesHere we focus on building texture with low-cost fillers. You'll learn how cotton, tissue, spun latex, gelatin fibers, and silicone gel create scars, wounds, and blends that look real under close camera scrutiny.
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 lesson simplifies prosthetic silicones, comparing platinum and tin systems. You'll understand shore hardness, cure issues, working times, and selecting suppliers and products for performance, budget, and safety.
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
