Careers in Special Effects Makeup

Special effects makeup artists have a variety of career paths open to them, both in and out of the entertainment industry. They use their knowledge of advanced makeup techniques to create natural and fantastic designs with cutting-edge materials and homemade tricks. A college degree is not required for a career in special effects makeup, but specialized classes and internships provide necessary training and connections.

Film and Television

Special effects makeup is frequently used in film and television to create aliens and monsters, create characters older or younger than the actor and change an actor's face shape.

Theatre

Makeup artists create special effects that can be seen from the very back of the theater, from period wigs and beards to fake blood.

Museums

Museums hire special effects makeup experts to bring an authentic feel to mannequins and models used in exhibits.

Prosthetics

Prosthetics specialists know how to create teeth, hair and new facial features, and they might go as far as building muscles, limbs or even a new figure for an actor's role. They may additionally work on animatronics for theme parks.

Business

Finally, special effects makeup artists may run their own shops and supply models and makeup for hire, or they may specialize in one area, such as creating realistic medical scenes for television or supplying Halloween products for the general public.