Special Effects Make-Up (Paperback)

~ Janus Vinther (Author) "Creating special effects with derma wax is very easy and more or less the ABC of artificial wounds make-up..." (more)
Key Phrases: Special Effects Make-up, Darth Maul, Elm Street

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A severed hand reaches across the red cover of this paperback, and the images in Vinther's book get progressively more gruesome from there. A European special effects expert, Vinther clearly specializes in the fare of horror and science fiction films-his how-to book is devoted to explaining the tricks behind making life-like imitations of body parts, monsters and bloody wounds. For those readers who wonder how to portray a mangled face or a chopped-off finger, Vinther's is a work without peer-but they must be ready to stomach the book's more than 300 gory color images. The author certainly knows his business, running his private company SPFX, which handles these unique demands for film producers. Each sub-genre ("gouged eye," "blown-off limbs," etc.) requires a certain recipe of materials, which Vinther enthusiastically share. The latter third of the book branches off from generic wounds, and touches on the makeup required for classic monsters, including Dracula, Freddie Kruger and the Terminator. The illustrations are rather gruesome, but for the Halloween amateur or the Hollywood professional, this book is a veritable King James Bible of the macabre.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

...this book is a veritable King James Bible of the macabre.
–Publishers Weekly

Aspiring monster and mayhem makers have a new guide to look forward to.
–Fangoria

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Theatre Arts Book; 1 edition (October 9, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087830178X
• ISBN-13: 978-0878301782
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #203,695 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will prove essential to any working in theatre, January 12, 2004

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

From severed fingers to slashed throats and burns, Special Effects Makeup provides a complete guide to theatre and film make-up processes, covering a world of increasingly technical, sophisticated effects. These step-by-step coverages will prove essential to any working in theatre, surveying materials and their results.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Special Effects Book, October 21, 2005

By	David Meditz - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Great book for the novice entering into the world of Special Effects Makeup. Some easy, cheap gags that will get you started without breaking your bank. Good starter book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent quality used book, January 7, 2009

By	Greg R. Vadimsky "Tango Palace" (Sebastian, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was just as informative and well written as the seller stated. It was of good quality and not damaged in any way.