Have you ever watched a sci-fi or horror movie and wondered how they are able to make the creatures and victims look so spectacular and realistic? Chances are that the answer is through the use of special effects makeup. While computer graphics (CGI) is being increasingly popular in Hollywood movies and TV shows of all sizes, makeup artistry is still being used to create real-life, practical effects. In fact, many shows and movies use a blend of CGI and makeup when creating effects.
Getting into a career as special effects makeup artist is rewarding but also extremely competitive. Many people want to follow their dreams and create fantastic creatures for movies and television or help to scare the audience watching a horror film. Until recently, people interested in becoming special FX makeup artists had to work their way through the business — sometimes by finding a mentor already working in the industry to help give them guidance and build their portfolio.
Prospective special effects makeup artists today have other options for breaking into the industry by attending classes designed for their field. Attending a special FX makeup school lets aspiring makeup artists hone their craft while learning from renowned experts in the industry. They will also have a chance to get hands-on experience with the skills they will use and build a portfolio which can help them to get a job upon graduation.
In order to become a special effects makeup artist, a student needs to acquire skills relating to general makeup along with specific skills for special effects. This all comes together with the concept of designing and creating a creature using a combination of prosthetics and makeup. The Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry is one of the few <a href=”http://www.cosmixinc.com/programs-courses/production-makeup-artistry/”>schools for makeup artistry</a> in the country to have a comprehensive program specifically designed for this area of training. Students take courses in prosthetics and creature design and finish their student by creating their own monster.
You don’t have to live in California in order to get the education you need to become a successful special effects makeup artist. Makeup schools in Florida such as the Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry feature hands-on training from instructors with years of industry experience. Launching your career as a special FX makeup artist is also about more than applying makeup and prosthetics. You will likely start working as a freelancer, so you need to know how to market yourself and book jobs. Studying at a school like the Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry will help you learn the business side of special effects makeup along as the artistic side.
