Academy Award-winning makeup artist behind Beetlejuice, LOST, and over 100 films. 40+ years mastering Makeup effects and character design. Embarking on a new frontier connecting with artists online. Stay tuned!
Thank you for all the tips and tricks! I wanted to ask, now that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is coming out, what story is behind the Beetlejuice head that you have at your shop and how as the wig made?
Hey Steve thanks for the video! Always great to see tips from the masters. I'm in my late 40's and just now getting back into sculpting which I have not done since my days as a wannabe effects artist in the late 80's/early 90s, so it's great to see content like this. Really enjoying your channel!
You can do it! I get to be even more creative without restrictions now that I’ve retired from the set. follow along & I’ll help you find that artist within. That for following.
Just discovered this channel! Subscribed :) I will just say that I am huge fan of your work! Especially your work with the TV series LOST. By the way, is it true that you used collodion on the character of John Locke to make up the scar? Did you first use colored collodion or a colored make-up underneath? How can you apply collodion to the same place many shooting days on a row? I think I read somewhere that you shouldn't apply collodion to the same spot on the skin several days in a row. I would LOVE a own episode where you maybe can talk about you work on LOST and the about the techniques, products you used and maybe some other stories and details or maybe even some demonstrations :)
Basically i use a small portion powder scoop & add 1 at a time, mixing in between till I get the consistency of pudding. If it has good "hang time" it's perfect. Be careful not to make it too thick or as it starts to set you won't be able to move it around .
In LA, Ca. there are several places to acquire materials. Plastil gel 25 is carried at Frends & Namies Beauty supply from their FX dept. & Motion Picture FX co. in Burbank is good too. Try to use a local place for clay , Plasters & Ultracal 30 as it is heavy to ship. The Platcil line can also be purchased through Polytek in New Jersey. Reynolds Advance materials has store around the country & a big line of excellent products as well. Find them on line.
Awesome! You did a great job bringing Eddie to life. I hope someone will bring the entire Eddie from Stranger In A Strange Land to life one day. Head to to with the wide brim hat and trench coat. The camera red eye and the muscle mixed with aluminum skeleton.
This is so well illustrated with concise narration, that it's got to be interesting even for people just curious about Special Makeup Effects. This is essential viewing for novices, students and professionals alike.
This video is phenomenal. Riley is an extraordinarily cooperative subject. Mom is a little apprehensive (appropriate that she's there.) But you've demonstrated how to be prepared and maintain control of the procedure, calmly, reassuring and professional. I think that's what gives the subject confidence and determination to go through with the whole thing. Beautiful cast! Kudos.
Hey Steve! I've been really enjoying all your videos- especially this one! I'd love to know how you've kept up your passion and stamina for this craft throughout your decades. I could really use your expert advice on how to manage stress, mental health and burn out during industry hardships.
Wow, that’s a thought provoking question. I think from the very beginning I saw myself as a student of my craft. Making every effort to constantly learn & better myself with every project that I worked on. I always kept a confident but humble attitude & that’s what fed my passion. I was very fortunate to be mentored & helped along the way by the likes of Tom Burman, Bob Schaffer, Harry Merrit, Harry Blake, John Chambers, Dick Smith, Ve Neill, Rick Baker, Charlie Scram, Stan Winston, Ken Chase , & William Tuttle earlier on in my career. Some of these artists mearly said something or gave a specific form of advice that inspired me to always challenge myself no matter what the situation . A select few were there for me in a big way that helped shaped my work ethic. As far as burnout, after several years of very creative and somewhat stressful shows I developed a breathing disorder that only showed up after I’d finished a project. Never in the “battle” only after. I found myself yawning a lot & I couldn’t seem to get a deep breath. I thought it was allergies or some kind of respiratory thing. After a talk with a Dr. he suggested it was a falllout reaction to stress. I thought about work all the time & the pressure of providing for family at the same time was taking its toll. One day on location in Miami I was walking on the beach & watched a Sports Kite competition where competitors were flying arial routines to music . I bought a two lined kite & within a month I was flying & listening to music on my earbuds every chance I could. I bought a book on kite design & directed my attention away from my makeup work & to the sky. I. Bought a video on tricks & ballet kite flying which became my off work passion. Over the next couple of years I eventually rose in the national ranks as a master competitor & champion of precision & ballet kite flying. I not only excelled in my makeup career but balanced my stress levels through my time competing across the country in weekend events while on location shooting films. I involved my family & started designing & building my own kite designs which gave me creative peace & allowed me a balance that I truly believe gave me a longer career. I could go on in much more detail but I believe having more than one passion & a separate group of friends outside the business was my salvation. After retirement I was planning to spend a lot of time flying & designing but with COVID & some family issues I’ve had a lot of delays. My appearance on social media platforms has jumpstarted my passion to share my lifetime of performing & creating for a new audience. I hope that gives you some insight to my complexities as an artist. I’m blessed with a positive attitude that keeps me looking for the next challenge ahead. We only go around once in life & I want to be full of memories, experiences & leave behind something for my friends, family & those who appreciate what I’ve done. That’s why I often quote a passage from Frank Herbert’s “Dune”. “Fear is the Mindkiller” & I add to that, “ Embrace the Challenge “.
All of this is very valuable information! The one addition I would personally make is, professionally learn how to say "no!". There are a lot of jobs floating out there that can be, (and usually are), professionally, morally, and/or illegally objectionable. Although, some of them will pay extremely well, they are not worth it in the end. Some folks will look down on you for turning down such jobs. But, you will be better off for it long term. It can be a very tough decision, at times. But, it it far better to be seen as someone who has the strength to stand up for what they believe in, than be someone seen to be willing to do anything for a fast buck. Again, it WILL be very hard to avoid at times. But, long term, it will benefit your career to steer clear of such things.
At one point when I had my first studio I had done a lot of slasher stuff for low budget ,exploitive films . I had an interview & meeting with a producer & director regarding a “Living Dead “ movie. it got pushed back a month & during that period I took a look at the type of work I wanted to be known for. I even sculpted some character maquettes for them on speculation & started interviewing artist for the project, anticipating doing the job. when they called back, ready to proceed I turned them down & told them why I didn’t want to be “ typecast” for that type of film. that was hard to do but it was the right choice for me. As a result someone else was given an opportunity & thus it started out their career. Win , win for both of us.
I hope to fill in a lot of the gaps on specific areas so check back. I’m working hard with my limited time to put together more helpful & informational content.👍🏻
This was a great class! Although, it would have been great if you had been able to include the Terminator "burn-makeup" that you originally intended to also do. Maybe, you could do it here, on your RU-vid channel? It would be fantastic to get the opportunity to learn those techniques, too!!!
@@make-upmcgyver2812 I enjoyed seeing it live. And, as most of the SWSCA classes do, it went into overtime, (which isn't bad in this case, there's ALWAYS more great information to be shared). I tend to be pretty hardcore into learning as much as possible, so I enjoyed the entire session. Although, by the time it ended, there were quite a few pretty exhausted folks, (including most of Matt's crew). Lol. I'm subscribed. In fact, I did so, the very night of the class! And, yes, I will faithfully check back as often as I reasonably can. I look forward to you posting more about this, and other techniques.
Very helpful. Sometimes. some ppl don't really know the why they use something. You get a lot of "it's what we use in the shop, and everyone uses it" kinda advice. Or the "why don't you just use UC30? It's pretty cheap". Well, when you have to get it trucked in, NO, it isn't cheap. 🙂 Thanks
So glad you are moving forward getting your channel up and flying. I really enjoyed your recent SWSCA class about the Terminator Makeup. Looking forward to more, and Thanks 🙂
