Lesson 1Budget-conscious sourcing and substitutions: where to cut cost without sacrificing camera-readinessThis part teaches smart ways to find supplies on a tight budget without losing camera quality. Learn where to spend more, 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 dilutionThis part covers main makeup colors for prosthetics and gore, looking at alcohol-activated sets, silicone paints, and PAX mixes. Learn mixing pigments, thinning them, how long they last, and matching 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 controlThis part looks at blood products for camera shots, covering thickness, color, and drying. Compare edible, washable, and stage blood, and learn to control flow, stains, and clotting for smooth shots 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 learn to mix, pour, and keep latex and gelatin pieces. We cover how they set, shrink, last, and how to use them as backups when silicone or foam latex won't work.
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 part details materials for casting prosthetics and props. Compare silicone liquids, 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 behavior, and when to chooseHere we compare foam latex and prosthetic gelatin, looking at build, movement, and heat. Learn when to pick each, test softness and bounce, and avoid problems 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 part focuses on cleanliness, throwaways, and actor ease. Learn how gloves, barrier films, sterile wipes, and throwaway tools keep things clean while comfort items help 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 explore glues and removers for prosthetics. We compare Pros-Aide, medical glues, silicone glues, and removers, focusing on hold strength, flex, 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 part covers storing, marking, and moving SFX materials and finished pieces. Learn packaging, temp control, shock protection, and building on-set fix kits and spares for surprises.
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 look at key tools and rigging gear for SFX. Learn how sculpt tools, brushes, sponges, dental tools, clamps, and frames help clean sculpts, strong rigs, and quick 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 cover safe skin primers and barriers that protect performers. Compare barrier creams, medical sealants, and liquid latex, learning when each fits and how they change sticking 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 learn main mold materials for lifecasts and prosthetics. We cover alginate, silicone rubbers, plaster bandages, hard mothermolds, and release agents, with tips for safety and good results every time.
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 part introduces 3D help for prosthetics and transfers. Learn how scanning, printing lifecasts, and 3D sculpt bases support thin 3D transfers and backups that work with 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 techniquesHere we focus on building texture with cheap fillers. Learn how cotton, tissue, spun latex, gelatin fibers, and silicone gel make scars, wounds, and blends that look good close on camera.
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 part clears up prosthetic silicones, comparing platinum and tin types. Understand hardness levels, cure blocks, work times, and picking suppliers and products for performance, cost, 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
