Lesson 1Budget-conscious sourcing and substitutions: where to cut cost without sacrificing camera-readinessThis section teaches savvy sourcing on a budget without compromising camera quality. You'll learn where to spend, where to save, safe material swaps, and how bulk buying and planning cut waste and emergency 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 section covers key makeup colour systems for prosthetics and gore, comparing alcohol-activated palettes, silicone paints, and PAX. You'll master pigment mixing, dilution, durability, 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, colours, drying behaviour, edible vs washable vs stage blood, coagulation controlThis section dives into blood products for camera work, covering viscosity, colour, and drying. You'll compare edible, washable, and stage blood, and learn to control 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'll learn to formulate, cast, and maintain latex and gelatin appliances. We cover setting behaviour, shrinkage, longevity, and repurposing these as backups when silicone or foam latex aren'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 section details casting materials for prosthetics and props. You'll compare silicone pourables, polyurethane resins, plaster, foam latex, and support shells, learning when each shines and avoiding common 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 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 rebound, and avoid failures 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'll learn how gloves, barrier films, sterile wipes, and disposable applicators keep things clean while comfort items ensure performers stay 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'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 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 storing, labelling, and transporting SFX materials and finished pieces. You'll learn about packaging, temperature control, shock protection, and assembling 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 examine essential tools and rigging hardware for SFX. You'll learn how sculpting tools, brushes, sponges, dental tools, clamps, and armatures support clean sculpts, secure rigs, and efficient on-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 sealantsHere we cover skin-safe primers and barrier products that protect performers. You'll compare barrier creams, medical-grade sealants, and liquid latex, learning when each works best 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 prosthetic production. We cover alginate, silicone mold rubbers, plaster bandages, rigid mothermolds, 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'll learn how scanning, printing lifecasts, and 3D-printed sculpt bases support thin 3D transfers and backup pieces that blend 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 and blending texture using low-cost fillers. You'll learn how cotton, tissue, spun latex, gelatin fibers, and silicone gel create scars, wounds, and transitions that withstand 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 section demystifies prosthetic silicones, comparing platinum and tin systems. You'll understand shore hardness, cure inhibition, working times, and selecting suppliers and products matching 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
