The Monster Makers Mask Makers Handbook [Paperback]

Arnold Goldman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2005

The Monster Makers Mask Makers Handbook teaches you, step by step, how to make your very own custom, Latex Rubber Halloween Monster Masks. If you've ever wanted to learn exactly how these amazing, hollywood style masks are made, this in-depth manual is for you. The Monster Makers Mask Makers Handbook takes you from start to finish, through design, sculpture, molding, casting, and painting of a Super-Deluxe Latex Rubber Halloween Mask. Includes tons of tips and valuable information about materials and techniques gathered from years of experience. A unique and fantastic resource! The Monster Makers Mask Makers Handbook is the only how-to book devoted to the subject of making latex rubber, Halloween masks. Available exclusively from Amazon and The Monster Makers. Fully illustrated with over 150 Black and white and 25 color photos.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Monster Makers Mask-Maker's Handbook is a well-done "how-to" book!" -- Haunted Attraction Magazine - April 2006

"The Monster Makers Mask-Maker's Handbook is steady and calm with the writing style typical of a well-done "how-to" book." -- Haunted Attraction Magazine - April 2006

From the Publisher

Now in it's third printing, The Monster Makers Mask Makers Handbook continues to be the springboard from which thousands of Halloween Mask Makers and rubber monster enthusiasts have learned their craft. Found on the bookshelves of many famous special effects artists, the popular, Monster Makers Mask Makers Handbook has become a valuable, must have guide for anyone interested in mask-masking and the amazing field of special effects make-up.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 43 pages
• Publisher: The Monster Makers, Inc. (August 1, 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0977687007
• ISBN-13: 978-0977687008
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #827,557 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Graphic Design > Design > Textile & Costume
  • #37 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Fashion
  • #60 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Fashion > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not so much a handbook as a tutorial, August 7, 2008

By 

J Kietchzkavitch (Hillsborough, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Monster Makers Mask Makers Handbook (Paperback)

This is far from a handbook. A handbook covers different techniques, different media, different methods, resource guides, assorted tips and how to go about doing a project completely on your own. This guy covered one... figure (it wasn't REALLY a mask) and one method. Even then, his coverage was horribly incomplete.

The author altogether ignores any mention of fitting the mask for eye holes, making the mask comfortable, breathable, supporting the latex structure- MANY very VITAL prospects of making a latex mask! There is no mention at all of how to turn the project from an object into a mask. The author more or less makes a latex 'Figure-that-looks-good-on-a-shelf.'

Also, the airbrushing section is impotent because the author lectures on color layering and highlighting/detailing using GREYSCALE PHOTOS! You might as well lecture on human hand anatomy using pictures of a pig!

Furthermore, every significant material he used was the brand the author manufactures. The book felt like one big advertisement! I recommend sculpting in MY BRAND clay using MY BRAND tools. And in this step we use MY BRAND latex mixed with MY BRAND paint. If you want, you can buy MY BRAND kit! It's only $695.00!

Even more interesting is the phone number in the back of the book. Out of curiosity, I called the phone number listed and asked a simple question. I thought that was generous and a show of good faith I could use to clarify the painful cornucopia of questions the book left out. When I called (long distance, mind you), all I got was a dodge for my answer and a sales pitch on why the solution would be incircumstantial if I bought their kit.

If you want a novice step by step instruction guide on how to use the author's sold-separately mask-making kit- this is a comprehensive instruction pamphlet. If you want a mask maker's handbook, its incredibly lacking.

PS. I don't think I'd be NEARLY as irked if the billing of this book wasn't "Your Complete Guide to sculpting, casting, painting and finishing your own latex mask creations." I purchased the book under the assumption it would completely cover sculpting, molding, casting, painting and finishing... not a cursory glancing over of each.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK as a starter book, February 15, 2007

By 

DosManDan "DosMan" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Monster Makers Mask Makers Handbook (Paperback)

The book does a good job of showing you how to create a single mask type, using a real sized bust(armature) and clay to create a sculpture. All of the basic steps are covered, from the initial sculpture, making a mold, to casting the final mask and using an air brush to paint the design.

However, I would have liked to see the book cover different techniques for creating masks. May times, just one approach doesn't work for everything.

The book is also a bit light, with 41 pages of usable information.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book for a good price, October 9, 2007

By 

Jesse L. Meek "Merkindesr" (wichita, KS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Monster Makers Mask Makers Handbook (Paperback)

Length:: 0:13 Mins

This book gave me the basic knowledge I needed to begin casting molds and making my own latex masks. As you can see from the video, I got my monies worth. and it wasn't even that much.
I recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn the basics of making latex masks.