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  • 1.  Special Effects Makeup Lessons/Projects

    Posted 12-17-2015 13:23

    Hi all,

    I know there have been threads about how to handle various special effects makeup issues as they pertain to shows.  However, I am looking for ideas of things the students can do in class to experiment and show they know how to use special effects makeup.  I have some scar wax and some latex and other basics, and I have some money to buy some other things if they aren't too expensive.

    What ideas do you have?

    Thanks!

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    Raymond Palasz
    English/Theatre Faculty; Thespian Troupe Director
    Lake Central High School
    Schererville IN
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  • 2.  RE: Special Effects Makeup Lessons/Projects

    Posted 12-17-2015 13:40

    I have had my students create bruises. I have created a make-up sample color palate on a small paper plate with wipes available for each student. We also did some stage combat moves and they created an improvisational scene.

    Nothing too violent…J

     

    I have also done bruises during Red Ribbon Week-Putting a Smack Down on Drugs. Students took pictures with friends and creating a title to accompany it- i.e. "Friends don't let Friends do drugs!" Or mine was "Do Drama not Drugs!" We created a slide show and the Counselor showed it during lunches during the week. We also took class pictures with a sign- "We're Drug Free!"

     

     

    Deanna E. Davvs

    HMS Theatre

     

    Strategic * Maximizer * Includer * Ideation * Arranger

     

    Haltom Middle School

    5000 Hires Lane

    Haltom City, Texas  76117

     

    deanna.davis@birdvilleschools.net

     

    Phone: (817) 547-4103

     

     




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  • 3.  RE: Special Effects Makeup Lessons/Projects

    Posted 12-17-2015 16:20

    I do a lot of make-up design and application in my stagecraft class. In order we do:

    technical methods of applying make-up (hard vs soft edges, feathering, etc)

    basic stage make-up

    old age

    wounds (black eye, broken nose, split lip, scrapes, bruises, etc)

    death/zombie

    animal

    flora/fauna

    fantasy

    I also work on color choice and how that affects a make-up. I'll create a make-up design in gray scale and have the students apply it in different color schemes to create a discussion about how the choice affects the character. Sometimes I'll give them a specific idea to base their color palette around (sand, fire, air, bark, etc)

    I'll have the kids use liquid latex and wrinkle stipple fairly often to help create texture. It's not too expensive and allows for a lot of flexibility in application.

    Hope this helps!   :) 

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    Shira Schwartz
    Chandler Unified School District
    Chandler AZ

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  • 4.  RE: Special Effects Makeup Lessons/Projects

    Posted 12-18-2015 07:19
      |   view attached

    Here's the simple assignment I have used with much success over the first semester of this year.  I had 4 project groups in my Theater Arts class rotate through and do the assignment and they came up with some fantastic stuff!  As far as timing, I gave them 1-2 50-minute class periods to research and plan their ideas (which amounted to them deciding who was going to do which "look,"  watching youtube videos for tips and ideas, and gathering and setting up the supplies I had available for them).  Then they got a 90-minute block period and a 50-minute period during which to do the makeup.  That amounts to a week of class for me.  They did the project in groups of 7-8.

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    Kristen Statt
    Thunderhawk Theater Director
    Lakota East High School
    Liberty Twp, OH

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    Special Effects Makeup Project.docx   12 KB 1 version
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  • 5.  RE: Special Effects Makeup Lessons/Projects

    Posted 12-18-2015 08:03

    I do a full makeup unit in my tech theatre as well.  I would highly recommend the Ben Nye special effects DVD.  Actually, I think now that it is one DVD with all makeup on it.  It is worth it.  I still show it after 33 years to teach students.  You can always use old school methods also.  There is a DVD from Mehron that talks about bone structure and how the elements that affect application.  I also noticed the discussion on color, which is important also.  I have had a guest color analysis specialist from our community come in and do color analysis on students.  We then talk about how you can use colors that are incorrect for a person to create an effect and what those colors mean.  Just some suggestions.

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    Sonja Shetler
    Bear River WY

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