Customer Reviews

The Monster Makers Mask Makers Handbook

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Ok the book arrived today. I'm shocked at the price I paid and how little information it holds. It's not very long only 42 pages. Seriously I found way better information with step by step guides online. I was really hoping this would be detailed show different styles of mask making, other than how to make a basic mold, hell it doesn't even explain life casting... This really wasn't worth the money. It's like a promotional booklet to buy their (Monster Maker) products.

This is a great book.
I have had this book for a while, and would not trade it for anything. For clear, detailed, step by step instructions and techniques on how to mold, cast, & paint a, latex, full head mask, this IS the book for you. A good reference for the advanced artist, and a good starting point for the beginner.(***not really for little kids making halloween masks, more for older kids, and adults interested in special effects makeup and masks) The book details all of the materials used and needed, which are avail at Monster Makers, outstanding, store.
Arnold, and the people at Monster Makers are great, and they really know their stuff, real indusrty professionals...NO I don't work for them, its just true; I have, however, worked in the "effects" field for over 20 years.
This is a great book and I highly recommend it.

I bought this item and the quality is so poor that I was mad I even spent my money on this! It is just like a cheap magazine with everything in black and white inside, and the information provided is so poor that is almos useless if you want to be serious about this. Do not spend your money in this material!

I thought this book would at least share a few creative ideas but it's all just basic step by step tutorials on sculpting, molding / casting latex, and how to paint on latex.

I found this book and this guy's website by a google search for mask making as it is a field I've wanted to get into for sometime now. If you really want to check out the book, you can go to his website The Monster Makers and purchase the download copy for $6.95 or paperback for $9.95.

From what I've read on the site and in the reviews...don't waste your money. I am glad I decided to look on Amazon for a cheaper price on the book. When I saw the OUTRAGEOUS prices listed on Amazon, I felt compelled to leave a review.

I got this book from the monster makers website. I was surprised to see this book on amazon, seeing as how this was free with an order of their mask making kit.It was only about 200-300 dollars not the 695 the other review said. The kit really is great comes with all the materials needed to get started making masks, but that's why the other review stood out to me. The other reviewer complained about the author advertising his products in this book, but this is the free magazine that came with his product.So its basically the little instructional guide that came with a kit.
The quality is just that, its a good reference when you have basic knowledge but your expectations are too high if you thought this was a stand alone instruction manual because its not.

A fantastic guide on the process of making a latex mask and sculpture reproduction in general, with a good section on airbrushing which I hadnt expected.