Our Facebook fans wanted to see how to do an exploding head. We went to special makeup effects veteran, genius problem solver and 2-Time Emmy winner Andy Schoneberg (The Walking Dead, Terminator 2, Jurassic Park) and asked him what he would do.

Lacking the time and resources for what a proper exploding head effect would require (pyrotechnics, lifecasting, and molds of the actor at the very least) we assumed it couldn't be done. But Andy told us that if we could find a head, any head, he could probably make it work.

With absolutely no prep and only a frightful silicone head over a resin underskull available for the effect..the resulting lesson ended up as a perfect--if dramatized--example of a situation every veteran effects artists has experienced sometime in their career: The Effects Disaster.

Intermediate Level

2h 40m of duration

English (auto), Spanish (auto)

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Curriculum

1. Title & Introduction - 7min

2. Pulling Materials - 12min

3. Segmenting Skin & Supergluing Eyes - 18min

4. Supporting the Head - 18min

5. Adding Hinges to the Skull - 35min

6. Adding the Top Teeth - 2min

7. Rigging the Blood Tube - 9min

8. Cosmetic Adjustments - 8min

9. Adjusting the Base Skin Tone - 10min

10. Adding the Hair - 16min

11. Rigging the Blood Delivery System - 5min

12. Setting Up the Scene - 20min

13. Wrap Up - 2min

Materials

CLICK on the links below to find the materials you need for this lesson.

Some items might be harder to find, but a little internet scouring usually finds you everything you'll need.

Mouldlife USA

Mouldlife Europe

Naimie's Beauty Center

McMaster Carr

Reynolds Advanced Materials

Smooth-On Inc.

FOR YOUR WORK STATION

2x4 Pieces of Wood

Dummy Head

Iwata Air Compressor

Refillable Fire Extinguisher

AIRBRUSHES

Airbrush

BLOOD

Fleet Street Bloodworks Drying Blood

Premixed Fake Blood

EPOXYS/GLUES

Extra Hold Spirit Gum

Super Glue

HAIR AND CREPE WOOLS

Yak Hair – Assorted Colors

PAINT/BRISTLE BRUSHES

Assorted Makeup Brushes

Primers/Adhesion Promoters

Zip Kicker

SKIN PAINTS/POWDERS

Kryolan Rubber Mask Grease Palette

Revlon Color Stay Foundation – Toast & Buff

Skin Illustrator Dark Palette

Skin Illustrator FX Palette

SPONGES/POWDER PUFFS

Makeup Sponges

THINNERS/SOLVENTS

99% Alcohol

TOOLS

Crimping/Curling

Small Curling Iron

Crimping, Pliers and Gripping Tools

Pliers

Cutting Tools

Makeup Scissors

Scissors

X-Acto Knives

Power Tool

Cordless Drill

Wrenches

Allen Wrench Set

Other Tools

Gerber Multitool

Hot Glue Gun

Small Fan

Spray Bottle

SUPPLIES

Baling Wire

Disposable Wax Paper Palette

Hot Glue Sticks

Monofilament Fishing Line

Nylon Hose Barb – T shaped connectors

Nylon Tygon Tubing

Plastic Syringes

Ripe Bananas

Strawberry Jam

Tongue Depressors

Unflavored Instant Oatmeal

Unlubricated Condoms

HEALTH/SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

When working with toxic and/or dangerous materials or tools:

ALWAYS read labels for appropriate use guidelines

ALWAYS wear a high-grade respirator

ALWAYS work in a well-ventilated area

ALWAYS protect your skin

ALWAYS wear eye protection

Artist BiographyAndy Schoneberg

Andy Schoneberg is a special-effects makeup artist, an FX sculptor, painter and master problem solver.

See Full Bio

Additional Purchasing Options

Notice: DVDs do not include closed captions.

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