Garage Monsters - How to Make Creature FX on a Budget

Shannon Shea

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Learn Special Effects Character Creation on a budget with Creature FX wizard & Monster Maker, Shannon Shea. Garage Monsters will teach you how to make a monster using affordable supplies from local hardware and craft stores.

Curriculum

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.

Monster Clay

GreatArt UK

 

FOR YOUR WORK STATION

Broom

Dust Mask

Dust Pan

Latex Gloves

Oven

Safety Goggles

Trashcan

CLAYS/PLASTERS

Plaster of Paris

Plastelina or Chavant Clay

Super Sculpey®

CLEAR COATS/GLOSSES/MATTING AGENTS

Krylon Matte Finish Spray

EPOXYS/GLUES

1 Can Spray Adhesive

5-Minute Epoxy

Epoxy Putty

Solvent Based Contact Adhesive

Spray Super Glue Accelerator

Super Glue

LATEX/SILICONE

Latex Mold-Making Compound

PAINT/BRISTLE BRUSHES

4 - 1” Chip Brushes

Small Paintbrushes – Flats and Rounds

PAINTS

Acrylic Paint

TOOLS

Cutting Tools

Electric Carving Knife

Small Cuticle Scissors

Small Saw

Tubing Cutter

X-Acto Knife

Measuring Tools

Ruler

Mold Making Tools

2 or more Putty Blades

Pliers and Gripping Tools

Needle-Nose Pliers

Power Tools

Cordless Drill

Dremel Motor Tool – Electric Sanding Tool (optional)

Screwdrivers

Screwdriver

Sculpting Tools

Small Set of Sculpting Tools

Other Tools

Hairdryer (optional)

Heat Gun

Small Electric Paint Sprayer

SOFTWARE

Photoshop Computer Program (optional)

SUPPLIES

¼” Expansion Spring

99% Alcohol

Bamboo skewers

Baby Powder

Brass Tubing

Cold Cream

Cotton Balls

Floral Wire

Lightweight, Clear Trashcan Liner

Metal Sandpaper “Dragon Skin”

Monoject Syringe

Paper Towels

Pens/Pencils/Markers

Photo Paper

Refrigerator Ice Cube-Making Hose

Rolls of tape

Set of Hook eye Hardware and Hinges

Sketching Paper

Small Piece of Wood

Small Plastic Bowls for Mixing Plaster

Small Wax Cups – like Dixie cups

Steel Rods for Puppeteering

Steel Wire

Straight Pins

Tracing Paper

Unbleached, Loose-Woven Burlap or Sisal Fiber

Upholstery Foam 1” or thicker and 2” sheet

Vaseline

Water

White Tights

Wooden Dowels 5/16ths and 7/16ths

Wood Screws

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 BiographyShannon Shea

Special Effects Character Creator & Monster Maker, Character Creation supervisor at Stan Winston Studio, KNB EFX Group & Cinovation Studios
See Full Bio

Additional Purchasing Options

Notice: DVDs do not include closed captions.

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