Customer Reviews

A Complete Guide to Special Effects Makeup: Conceptual Artwork by Japanese Makeup Artists

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own several books and DVD's on special effects make-up including both of the Grande Illusion books, Movie FX Magazine Master classes, books by Vincent Kehoe, Thurston James and more... and let me tell you this one book covers more ground then any of them. Everything from basic eyeliner and blush to full head latex appliances, costumes, props and metalwork. It has dozens of projects for you to follow along with to create some breathtaking effects.

Now that isn't to say that this is perfect, the first and most obvious problem isn't really any fault of the original authors - but the copy I got from amazon has several mistakes and printing errors. But even with these errors the book is still very easy to follow.

Other problems might be that some of the information might have gaps as suggested by another reviewer... it is hard for me to tell because I have studied this subject so much that I can fill in the blanks without really thinking.

If you are on the fence about buying this book don't be, it is in full color with amazing full page artwork of the finished designs and step by step photos of everything. This book even answered questions some "professionals" I asked could not! For the money this book is very, VERY hard to beat.

Now if only someone would put out a book this detailed about animatronics!

This book is the best thing to happen to special effects in a while. Great pictures, great ideas, and great instruction.

I never in my wildest dreams did I think there was a better book than the fabled Grande Illusions, which everyone swore by. Today is that day. While Grande Illusions does cover some information, it only contains a hand full of illustrations and only covers major parts like hair punching and break down prosthetics.

This book covers far more ground and it's information is up to date. Not that Grande Illusions is bad mind you, it's just that much of what Tom Savini had access to 20+ years is no longer in production or has changed radically since then. Going from basic makeup and foundations to full blown prosthetics and even metalwork, this book not only supplements Grande Illusions, but surpasses it in many respects.

For me, this book is a Godsend. Filled with excellent and easy-to-understand diagrams on the casting and moldmaking section really helps! Also learning how to create realistic fake eyes is something not cover by Savini, and is quite easy to do thanks to this book. All of the projects coincide with the creature gallery as well, which is really cool and quite fun if you have the time to sit through them all.

And further more, most of the supplies can be found at your local art or hardware store, making it easier to create realistic effects on a budget! Materials covered here even include silicones and Gelatine, which are the trickest of the bunch aside from industry standard Foam Rubber Latex. All in all, get this book and Grande Illusions 1&2, I feel it's worth the money.

So I got this book after browsing online... BUT the first couple times I checked the price started at about ninehundred something bucks so i went to a major retail bookstore and ordered it with them for about twentysomething bucks... so if you do not mind waiting a little while for your book (mine was on backorder for a couple of weeks) you save a bunch of money and it is even new...! Anyway, it is a great book ! Great buy

I think I already reviewed this book accidentally under my wife's account but I love it so much I had to come back and review it again.

This book is hands down the best book I have found for special effects make-up in terms of value for money, you have to pay two, three or four times as much to find anything close to this book. It was originally a Japanese book only recently translated into English and after the first edition went out of print unscrupulous scalpers were selling this book for hundreds of dollars - and it might still have been worth it!

Literally PACKED with pictures this book is a work of art. The first edition that I have did have some errors in terms of translation and printing... in at least one place the written description did not match the picture - but still this book is so in depth and step by step that you could almost follow along using only the words or only the pictures!

It covers everything from basic beauty make-up and hairstyles for pretty girls to full head foam latex appliances for demonic otherworldly creatures. It has several techniques for cuts and scars ranging from make-up only to wax and latex, it covers life casting more then any one volume I have seen including casting hands, fingers, faces, heads and whole limbs. It has techniques for working with Metal, Vacuum molded plastic, even using household items and junk to make masks and customize accessories in a semi "steampunk" style.

This book has so much in it that at the full cover price of $25 it is more than worth it, at the amazon price of $15 IT IS A STEAL. If you are interested in getting into the field of special make up effects, even if you are already there - this book has so much in it that it is a MUST HAVE! Do not wait, buy it NOW.

UPDATE: They are at it again! This is an amazing book and well worth the full cover price of $25 but moronic unscrupulous SCALPERS are trying to sell this book for $900-$1,200!?!?! I am sure that people are smarter than that, I just had to say something because that is just WRONG. If I had $1,000 I would contact the manifacturer or just wait for it to come back into print and buy 50 or 60 copies of this book to sell just so that people couldn't even think about getting away with that kind of Robbery.

I waited and waited for this book to be released in English, and the day has come! This is a great book to give you fundamentals of special effects. Starts with simple techniques, although I feel not cleanly done, and without a prior knowledge of basic makeup. With this said, it dives deeply into advanced world of special effects with little explanation. For any beginning makeup artist to attempt these impressive concepts, they would need the assistance of an experienced artist, not just the book in hand. This book does give great starter information, but to attempt any of the advanced work, I would definitely have some help.

Wow!
this book is amazing
It is clear and well illustrated
I cant wait to get started on projects based off these ideas.

the price for this is ridiculous...cant wait for them to re print the book and kick these scalpers in the balls.

This was a b-day gift for my husband who is truly into make-up and special effects and he was amazed and so was I

I love the quality of this book. There are so many amazing pictures and techniques available. When I first opened it, I couldn't stop looking at the pictures. The art is amazing. I think it is worth getting.