Introduction To The Unit Of Special Effects

In this second year of study I have been given the opportunity to choose a unit and focus on a specific area in the make up industry. I decided to choose special effects make up. I did this as I am interested in going into the tv and film industry, and I would like to leave university with a wide skill set which will hopefully make me more employable in the future.

I had never studied make up before starting university, let alone special effects, making this unit more exciting for me. In the first year we learned a few basic skills with basic equipment, for example creating wounds and scars, but  I have not yet learned advanced skills. I really enjoyed the first year's work, which pushed me in the direction of special effects for my option. I have always been amazed by the use of special effects and whilst watching television shows have been intrigued as to how they create such original, wild characters and graphic wounds. I am interested in working on shows such as 'Game Of Thrones' and films such as 'Saving Private Ryan' where prosthetics are a major element, meaning that these skills are imperative for my future. I am also excited for this unit as it involves the use of clay and creating prosthetic moulds with it. I come from a Fine Art background and always enjoyed the sculpture elements. It will be nice to revisit this area and hopefully improve on some of the skills which I already have. My expectations of this course are that it is going to be difficult and at first a struggle, and sometimes frustrating but will eventually become a lot more exciting as my skill develops, inspiration increases and practise becomes more frequent. I expect that the workload and the pace of the course may be a challenge for me, but I intend to stay on top of it and try to keep to a schedule. My main fear for this course, and like most of the units that I have undertaken, is that my skill level will not match up to the image which I have inside my head. I fear that I will try to create something and then be disappointed when it does not turn out as I would like. I also worry that because of this I will panic that I am not good enough, play it safe and therefore not push myself enough! I will have to try to find a balance when I have learnt the basics, had a practise and worked out where my skill level is.