Certificate in special effects makeup artistry (SFX) and prosthetics manufacture

By MARK STORY

THE COURSE

The certificate aims to produce graduates for film, TV, advertising and performing arts industries who can specialise in special effects makeup artistry and prosthetics manufacture.

The first of its kind in New Zealand, the course - comprising 60 NZQA credits, level 6 - is now in its second year and taught at the Cut Above Academy's Auckland City campus.

Dubbed the Creature Shop, the campus' special effects workshop was designed, in consultation with Richard Taylor of Weta Workshop, by industry professionals with experience on productions such as The Lord of the Rings, Xena and Hercules.

As well as teaching industry protocols and skills, the course covers health and safety regulations, use of correct tools, and materials and techniques for foam and latex sculpting.

More importantly, students learn to analyse a director's concept, determine the prosthetic requirements, prepare the model for head and body casting, make the mould, create the prosthetic, and complete the work to industry standards, says tutor Sean Bridle.

It's not uncommon, adds Bridle, for industry requests for help on special effects jobs - from small film companies, theatre, opera, fashion shows - to be passed on to students. For example, students applied simulated injuries and bruises to women for a Saatchi and Saatchi-sponsored brochure on domestic violence awareness.

During the 20-week fulltime course, with classes from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, students learn the core skills of head and body casting and prosthetics sculpture; avant-garde art effects for fashion catwalk and advertising; body art, air-brushing; ethnic, period and character makeup, ageing, and simulated injuries; horror and sci-fi effects; wig-making and maintenance and mechanical creature fabrication.

The course is entirely internally assessed, with students also assessed on their participation in class projects. Students undertake individual projects.

To be eligible for general admission to the course, students must be 18 years of age or over and should have Recognised Current Competency (RCC) in makeup artistry or art and design.

Course graduation does not guarantee employment. But it offers the chance to get a job as a makeup artist or special effects technician in film, TV, stage, advertising, promotions or in a special effects production workshop.

Applications for the 16-place intakes running in January, April, July and October can be made right up until each course commences.

Each course costs $6500 with equipment costs of $1000.



WHAT PAST STUDENTS THINK


Deborah Moore, 33

Freelance special effects artist

Graduated 2002

"I entered this course to expand my skill base as a makeup artist. The real value in this course is being able to learn from tutors with considerable industry experience. Personal and class assignments, together with a regular flow of commercial work, means you're getting a lot of hands-on experience within a real workshop environment.

"Since graduating I've worked as a contract makeup artist on the Tom Cruise movie The Last Samuari, and recently fitted a prosthetic piece for Hollywood actor Randy Quaid who is starring in a local movie."




WHAT INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS THINK



Hayley Cunningham

Producer

Satellite Media Group

Auckland

"The course provides a missing link in terms of the film training available within New Zealand. I think the course is great and we don't know of any other course like it.

"We approached the head of school when we needed some special effects help putting together a rock video for Auckland rock band Bollbox Rex. At their instigation the project was turned into a real-life assignment for the school to work on.

"Within a tight two-week time frame, the 10-person student team produced four special effects masks that would transform members of the band into middle-aged women.

"Our experience with the school's special effects workshop and students was extremely positive. We wouldn't hesitate to work with them again should the need arise."

THE QUALIFICATION

Certificate in special effects makeup artistry (SFX) and prosthetics manufacture

Cut Above Academy

Phone: 0800CUTABOVE or (09) 309-0689

Website: www@cutabove.co.nz