Vince Backeberg's
Frequently
Asked Questions on Many of these answers are drawn directly from my e-mail responcess to previous inquiries. If you don't find an answer here, feel free to drop me a line. Where can I find foam latex and other make-up effects supplies? There are a number of good suppliers for these materials. You should definitely check out the most recent issue of Make-Up Artist magazine and CINEFEX. Many top companies advertise in these two magazines. Here is a sample of companies to start with:
A GREAT RESOURCE! There is a fantastic magazine all about the Make-up profession called, not suprisingly, Make-up Artist Magazine. It covers the industry in general, individual make-up artists, films, and television projects. Plus they keep up to date on the latest materials and techniques they use. If you are interested in a career in make-up, you must read this magazine. Highly recommended! Make-up Artist Magazine Make-Up Artist Magazine Website $6.95 per issue ANOTHER GREAT RESOURCE! There is a new video magazine published four times a year called Movie FX video magazine. It's on DVD and every issue contains behind the scenes interviews, previews, and how-to videos. It covers make-up effects, model building, prop building... just about anything to do with movie special effects. You should be able to find it in the movie magazine section of the larger chain bookstores. Can you recommend any books? Yes I can. Here's a few books to get you started. If you have trouble finding them at your local bookstore, try your local college bookstore. If they have a theater/acting program, then you probably find the Corson book in their bookstore as it is generally the standard book for theatrical make-up. "The Technique of the Professional Make-Up Artist" by Vincent J-R Kehoe. Very detailed and comprehensive guide to a wide variety of make-up techniques. A great book. Years ago, before Mr. Kehoe started sellling make-up products, he included more detailed formulas for creating some of the materials he now sells under the Vin Kehoe line. If you are lucky you might be able to find a copy in a used book store. "Stage Make-Up" by Richard Corson "Dick Smith's Do-It-Yourself Monster Maker Handbook" by Dick
Smith "Grande Illusions" I and II by Tom Savini "Techniques of Three-Dimensional Makeup" by Lee Baygan How do you make stage blood? Years ago I was corresponding with make-up Artist Dick Smith and he generously provided me with printed bulletins for making a very realistic fake blood for stage and screen. I've reproduced the bulletins here, the first a basic blood formula and the second, a thinner 5 gallon formula for pumping through effects tubing. Read the directions thoroughly and follow the steps carefully. And if using the formulas containing Photo-Flo, do NOT use it in the mouth. I repeat, DON'T USE IN THE MOUTH. Or, if you're not up to mixing your own blood you can purchase a series of K.D. 151 BLOOD products from Ken Diaz, 562-692-1811, FAX 562-699-7155 How do you sculpt a realistic wrinkle? I've actually been waiting for someone to ask this question. It's really pretty easy. I start with a curved sharp v-shaped metal tool. The kind you see at sculpting and ceramic supply houses. I've modified a few to make them different widths. First you start by sculpting/ scratching the lines into the plasticine. Now you'll end up with regular even lines with sharp unrealistic edges. The next step gets rid of those. The real trick is to use loop end tools. I use both a round circular one as well as a taped tool. What you do is place the loop at the bottom of the crevice you just scratched in the clay and drag up and over the sharp edge thereby rounding it off. Repeat about a thousand times. Vary the angle of the edge to get a more organic look.When you're done you have only two more steps to go. The wrinkles are getting close but now you have all of these faint tool marks. You need to smooth them out. I use a stiff bristle brush and even a modified toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol. You can then follow them up with progressively smoother brushes. And the reason behind the rubbing alcohol is that is will slightly dissolve Roma Plastilna. Some sculptors prefer to use water. The choice is up to you. When you are finished with the wrinkles the only step is to press in the skin pore texture with your texture pads. That's it. What brands of make-up do you use? I used to use Kryolan for rubber mask greasepaint for foam latex appliances and Max Factor Pansticks for non-foam latex makeup's. Bill Tuttle's products are great also. Since I have been out of make-up for several years I would suggest checking out Make-Up Artist magazine for the latest and greatest tips on products and techniques.
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