Book Reviews from the Industry
With rave reviews from the likes of Neil Gorton, Jordu Schell, Matthew Mungle and Christopher Tucker this could be the sacred tome of knowledge many students and young pros were hoping for. The new paperback textbook by Todd Debreceni called “Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen: Making and Applying Prosthetics” is out and creating quite a buzz.
A “Studying Artist” by the name of Jonathan Hunt put it best:
Ok I just received my copy of the new Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen and I haven’t slept in 29 hours lol. This is by far the best book I have ever bought.
Want a conversion chart… it’s in the book.
Want to know whether it’s best to use alcohol activated makeup for a certain piece or stick with grease paint… it’s in the book.
Wonder which glue will hold down a certain material best… its in the book.
Need to know the definition for terms in the book… IT’S IN THE BOOK! lol.
Amazon is currently selling unhinged FX god knowledge for $44.95(US) Click the link above to own the single best reference out there for Special Effects Make-up Students and Pros alike.
- SFX News.com (from the website)
“Todd has worked as a professional makeup artist and as a professional teacher, and it really shows in this book’s detailed, clear, concise and no-nonsense approach to the art and craft of special makeup effects. I’m now insanely jealous of all the people who will learn from this book because this is the book I would have killed to have had when I was starting out....... IT’S NOT FAIR!!!”
- Neill Gorton (from the book)
“Among the most exhaustive and thorough tomes on the subject of special effects makeup there is, written with a likable and easy-to-understand style that is accessible to all ages.”
– Jordu Schell (from the book)
“The artistry of make-up has been a lifelong passion of mine and hope it will be to everyone who purchases this book. This book will inspire future make-up artists and novices to continue the art and discover newer, more innovative materials and procedures to work with. The techniques and education in this book are inspiring. To create believable character make-ups on human faces is a challenging, rewarding art form which will continue to evolve and inspire those who study this book.”
– Matthew W. Mungle (from the book)
“I highly recommend Todd’s Book as A MUST for everyone involved and interested in special prosthetic make-up effects. Crammed with cutting edge information on materials and techniques, formulas, suppliers, how-to’s, and more, this is a book I wish I had when I first started! Every student, beginner, and make-up artist for film, TV, theater, video, and commercials should not hesitate to pick up a copy of this book—don’t leave home without it! Make sure it’s part of your kit!”
– Christopher Tucker (from the book)
“Most of you know that I started out my career in the Makeup Effects side of the business. It’s been over a decade since I made the transition into computers. This doesn’t mean I have given up one of my greatest love affairs. I still dabble with makeup from time to time and luckily see my eldest son enjoying it as a hobby now.
Many of my friends heroically battled through what seemed like the dark ages over the past ten years and continue practicing this wonderful craft. One such friend emailed me about a book he had just gotten his hands on, the title, Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen Making and Applying Prosthetics, by Todd Debreceni.
Now you have to understand this friend of mine to understand my curiosity about this book. This is an individual who pretty much is resigned to hating everything. So when he raved about Todd’s book, well, curiosity got the better of me.
Luckily, Todd and I run in similar circles and before long we were emailing back and forth; within a few short weeks I had the text in hand and while on an international flight between Toronto and Rio de Janeiro Brazil, I hunkered down to familiarize myself with it. It wasn’t long before I understood my friend’s enthusiasm for this text. I found myself flipping through the pages quite excitedly and before I knew it I had landed in Rio and couldn’t tear myself away. I finished the book over the next few days and then sat down to write this review.
The book, which was released in paperback format by Focal Press, is 324 pages long. It looks and feels very much like a textbook. This is no doubt by design. It is a text meant to be thrown around the shop, doused with chemicals and foam, which is why Todd and Focal Press have released it with a companion DVD. This DVD holds all of the tutorials in the book so even if you accidently splash polyfoam all over the most important part of a recipe you are creating you can still pull it up on the DVD.”
- Cesar Dacol, Jr. (from Cesar’s website)
“When I decided to order this book, I expected to get another run-of-the-mill makeup handbook that might have a tidbit of information I could use. Boy, was I wrong! The information contained in this book would take the average makeup artist many YEARS to learn! This is the kind of information that most makeup artists only get if they're lucky enough to work in a top notch special effects shop - and that's pretty much impossible nowadays.
Todd offers easy to understand, step by step instructions along with pictures of the processes. Did I mention it comes with a DVD? That alone is worth the price of the book. Other things I think you should know is that Todd explains what you SHOULDN'T do, and describes why some things you expect to work - won't. There are simple tips and tricks described that I didn't know - even after well over 25 years of being a special makeup effects artist. Incredible.
If you are a novice - this should be your #1 makeup bible. If you're a pro - this should be the "go-to" book in your library. I can't promote this book enough. You just have to buy it. The information in it is worth double or triple the price.”
- Bob Brown (from Amazon.com)
“A book like this is long-overdue. It is a particularly comprehensive guide to making and applying prosthetic makeup, and although much of the information exists elsewhere, as Todd says, it is often fragmentary and not always adequately explained. That said, he has persuaded many of the top artists in the field to contribute here, and the wealth of expertise contained within its covers is fantastic. For anyone who is starting out in the field, has some experience but is curious about the latest materials, or even those who hope to learn this one day, you couldn't find a better resource.”
- Naomi D. Lynch (from Amazon.com)
This is the book you want if you are looking to learn the materials and techniques of modern movie prosthetic creation and application. This is the perfect reference source for this subject. It is like a college textbook, but a lot better! Unlike those large tomes that require a professor to interpret for you; the ones that collect dust on the dorm room desk never getting cracked open, this book is straightforward with excellent examples of the processes being discussed. The author shows enthusiasm and passion for the subject that translates into a book that will galvanize your attention if you too have a passion for this type fx work.
There are an excellent amount of photos and illustrations that take you from the structures of the human face, to life casting, to sculpting, to mold making, to the production of various types of appliances and their application.
If I were to teach a class on the subject THIS WOULD BE MY BOOK. It covers all the basics for the beginner, and makes the perfect reference for the old hands. The only drawback to this book is that the binding prevents you from laying it flat on a table so you can reference it while you work in the shop. However, the author does suggest you take his book to Kinko's to have them rebind it in a ring binder so you can lay it flat. Perfect!
- Louis Brown (from Amazon.com)
