Men, Makeup & Monsters: Hollywood's Masters of Illusion and FX (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Only one man-past, present, and probably the future-can wear the hat of the best, and he's Dick Smith," says Stan (Jurassic Park) Winston, no stranger..." (more)
Key Phrases: appliance makeup, latex appliances, prosthetic pieces, Image Animation, Stan Winston, Dick Tracy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

For as long as they've been in existence, horror and sci-fi movies have relied on special effects and makeup to make the unreal seem real. In Men, Makeup, and Monsters: Hollywood's Masters of Illusion and FX, Fangoria editor Anthony Timpone presents profiles a dozen of today's most brilliant practitioners of the art and science of effects. Artists such as Stan Winston, Rick Baker, and Dick Smith have made everything from aliens to dinosaurs to zombies come alive on the screen, employing a staggering variety of techniques. In their conversations with Timpone, Winston and company explain how they accomplished dozens of their most notable effects, which involve the use of makeup, appliances, puppetry, robotics, CGI, animatronics, and more. Abundant photos (including a color section) show both finished products and works in progress.

Men, Makeup, and Monsters is aimed not just at curious movie fans, but also at prospective practitioners of the trade. Timpone's introduction includes straightforward explanations of basic industry terminology and procedures, and gives a realistic picture of what it takes to break into this increasingly competitive business. Appendices include a glossary and a directory of makeup schools.

Movie fans who routinely leave the theater asking, "How did they do that?" will find this detailed look behind the illusions absorbing, and will come away with as much admiration for the artists as for the effects they create. --Mary V. Burke

From Library Journal

Fangoria magazine editor Timpone consolidates information that is available only in genre periodicals and "fanzines" to analyze the outfitting of zombies, bigfoot, aliens, maniacs, apes, skeletons, and other usually grotesque creations by imaginative, artistic, and technologically proficient movie makeup artists. After a foreword by writer/director Clive Barker (Hellraiser) and an introduction that pays tribute to such past masters of "monster" makeup as Lon Chaney and Jack Pierce, Timpone devotes each of his 12 chapters to an individual or team he has interviewed. Interviewees include Dick Smith (The Exorcist) Rick Baker (American Werewolf in London), Stan Winston (Aliens) Tom Savini (Dawn of the Dead), Chris Walas (The Fly), and Kevin Yagler (Child's Play). The initiated will understand when, in captions, Timpone labels these fellows "fright meisters" and "gore gurus." The heavily illustrated text is crammed with quotes and detailed, generally understandable analyses of technique that may well inspire future generations of fantasy film makeup artists.?Kim R. Holston, American Institute for Chartered Propery Casualty Underwriters, Malvern, Pa.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (September 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312146787
• ISBN-13: 978-0312146788
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #459,641 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great history of makeup effects., October 24, 1996

By A Customer

This book gives a history of makeup effects through biographies of the biggest contributors to the field. Whether you are looking for a career in the industry, or just want to know how movie effects are created, this is a great resource

3.0 out of 5 stars A little bit disappointed..., January 24, 2009

By	UlGiEs "Subhuman" (Essen, NRW Deutschland) - See all my reviews

... that Rob Bottin did not have an own chapter. Very interesting book, it could be more coulorful.

4.0 out of 5 stars Monster Make-up Book, December 26, 2007

By	Rhonda Helms (Memphis, Tn) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very interesting book. My daughter wants to do special effects. She found many interesting ideas and this has made her more interested in the career.