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I was asked about getting started in special effects (SFX) makeup, so I put this general overview together to give folks some things to consider!  Hopefully this sparks some ideas and helps some of you out who are looking to learn more about this very fun and interesting field (of which I have zero professional experience in but manage to not completely muck it up in public).

ONLINE CLASSES:

There appear to be more and more online options for those looking to learn SFX makeup.  A simple Google search for “SFX makeup online classes” will list several options to explore depending on your budget and availability.  Most seem to be a couple hundred dollars which includes curriculum and supplies/makeup kit.  It is important to note that since I have not worked with any of these programs, I do not endorse any specific program.

One of the first I clicked on and seems very budget-friendly is the Online Makeup Academy’s Makeup SFX online course.   At only $300 I highly doubt the certificate you earn at the end of it is worth anything at all in the industry, and it’s “Master Makeup Artistry” title is probably misleading, but at first glance it seems like a good, basic intro to 3D FX makeups, and you get feedback from makeup artists on your assignments.  Probably not a bad deal for anyone looking for something a little more formal than YouTube, but not interested or ready for a full-on education in the field.

Dick Smith’s Basic 3D Online Course

The Dick Smith course in particular caught my eye first as Smith is/was a legend in the makeup industry, and it would be my expectation that any course with his name on it would provide top notch education in the field.  Again, I have not enrolled in this program so I cannot verify how reputable this, or any other course, actually is.

IN-PERSON CLASSES:

If someone is truly serious about getting into SFX makeup and wants to make it a career, then they absolutely should pursue attending a reputable school and obtaining an education in the field.  That type of education should come with top training, working with top professionals, learning latest techniques/materials, and networking to help them secure a career in the industry.  One of the schools I hear mentioned often is Cinema Makeup School.  Another would be Dick Smith’s school, and from there you can do more searching for other schools to examine/compare. Attending a full-on curriculum in person is understandably the most expensive option, you’re looking at spending thousands of dollars.  Once again, this is for folks who want to go on to make a career out of it.

In my Google searching, I ran across the Hollywood Makeup Academy’s page, and they seem to have several mutli-day (2-5 day) in-person courses in various locations around the country.  If any of these locations are convenient to you, doing an in-person course could be immensely valuable.

YOUTUBE TUTORIALS: Now if you’re looking for something less expensive, less thorough, and you don’t mind figuring things out on your own a little, you can learn a lot today by just watching YouTube.  A favorite FXMUA I follow is Freakmo.  Her YouTube channel provides a plethora of different prosthetic tutorials, everything from sculpting to application, to painting, to creating different types of molds.  She is launching online classes at some point in the future - I would keep a close eye on her website as I am sure those will be very valuable!

Nimba Creations also has some very well done YouTube videos that are very useful.

FREE ONLINE TUTORIALS

One of my FX suppliers, FX Warehouse, provides several SFX tutorials for free on their website:

How-To’s: FXWarehouse

They are rudimentary, but give you what you need to know to get the job done in a variety of different looks and materials. This is a great resource if you’re looking to try different SFX techniques on your own before committing to the cost of an online or in-person class or seminar.

And of course, for those looking to do strictly Phantom of the Opera makeup and aren’t looking to spend a ton of money on it, there’s Phantom on a Budget. Because shameless plug, that’s why.

And also I did a makeup workshop which provides a very general overview of different makeup materials and techniques you can use (for various makeups, not just Phantom related). 

Interested in learning how to specifically do your own Phantom of the Opera makeup?  Check out my Phantom On A Budget makeup page for several tutorials and videos!

"It's over now, the music of the night..."

😏 😲

Favorite photos from BroadwayCon 2018 (see captions for more info)

You read that right...the online Phantom of the Opera makeup/costuming resource known as Phantom on a Budget officially turns 10 years old in 2016.

....Yep.  Been around a little longer than that, but the site originally launched in 2006 and that makes me feel old.  And suffice it to say, I’m not sure how to best celebrate it (the 10th anniversary, not the fact that I feel old).

And I feel like including you all somehow because partying alone on the other side of the computer screen is lame.

On a seriously note, what started out as a cheap, easy Halloween costume for a poor and time-deprived college student (me!) has turned into a lifelong passion/hobby.  Phantom on a Budget has given me a chance to share that interest with the world.  You beautiful people from all over the globe have seen the site, asked me questions, and shared your creations with me...thousands and thousands of you!  And I have cherished every single experience.  To be able to create and share with you all, all over the world, is something that I still can’t quite grasp, even today.  It’s an honor and a privilege for me, seriously. 

Twelve or so years ago, I never would have imagined it would go from this:

To this:

But what is MOST important is that the website, the tutorials, the resources, and the videos have all help YOU all out.  It humbles me to this day to receive an email or a comment from a perfect stranger that the website help them create their “dream” costume.  I don’t know what these costumes, the story, or the show mean to you personally, but I do know that if Phantom on a Budget helps you create something that puts a smile on your face, even if just for a little while, then that is worth more to me than anything else.  Seeing some of you create makeup and costumes well beyond my own ability is truly inspiring.  And I thank every single one of you for sharing that with me.

So I would like to do something fitting this year to celebrate, something worthy of a 10th anniversary, something that you all would enjoy.

I’m open to suggestions, whether it’s another question/answer video, a new tutorial, or something I haven’t thought of yet.  I’m hoping you wonderful, thoughtful followers who I appreciate SO SO much will help me figure out how to best celebrate 10 years as Phantom on a Budget.  What would you like to see this year?