Arts and Entertainment

GVL / Coty Levandoski
Mason instructs students on how to safely remove make-up prosthetics at the end of the workshop

Special FX duo shares skills with students

By Coty Levandoski GVL Staff Writer
1/31/2010

They are the skilled few responsible for moviegoers walking out of theaters asking each other, "How did they do that?"

They help break down the wall between reality and make believe, creating an experience much more immersive and encapsulating.

Paul J. Mason and Chelsea Manifold combined have more than 20 years experience in the entertainment industry, dealing specifically with special effects, make-up and prosthetics application.

Their resume works range from "Across the Universe" to the fabrication and application of Victoria's Secret models during commercial TV spots.

Friday afternoon, the New York-based pair held a "Creating Characters Workshop" at Grand Valley State University, where for four hours they instructed students majoring in film, video or theatre in the skill sets surrounding straight and special effects makeup.

"Straight make-up artists are simply just that, whereas special effects make-up artists are a little more specialized," Mason, who applied the antlers to the main character in Fall Out Boy's breakout music video "Sugar, We're Goin Down," said. "They are part research analysts, part lab techs, but at their core they are make-up artists as well,"

During the workshop, Mason and Manifold each held short informative lectures concerning the current state of the special effects industry, the governing rules of film sets referred to as "setiquette" and their own career paths that led them to where they are today.

"When you're doing an actor's make-up, you're helping them get into their role that much more, and they'll love you for that," Manifold said. "You have a certain responsibility to look out for them, whether they're sitting in your make-up chair or not."

After a short slideshow and instructional video on cast molding, the duo began the hands-on portion of the seminar, where students were split up into groups of three to four to work on basic make-up and prosthetic application techniques, which student Steve Carley said he found a bit "weird."

"You can just kind of feel it there," Carley said of the Amish beard he gained during the process.

Mason emphasized the importance of being open to new experiences in the production industry.

"You're going to want to wear as many hats as possible (to) ensure your work in this industry," Mason said. "This field has made some very intense leaps in the past 15 years, so it's very important to stay sharp and adapt your skill-sets."

Groups applied everything from zombie gashes to Fu Manchu mustaches on individuals, but not before making sure their skin could handle it.

"You have to be careful with this stuff," Manifold said. "People are allergic to everything; from spirit gum to latex itself."

Mason and Manifold constantly walked around the room and surveyed the students while they worked, providing insight and encouragement, as well as lending their own techniques to the mix.

"Above everything, you must take care of these people," Mason said. "An actor's livelihood is their face, and, as you will soon learn, their livelihood is your livelihood."

clevandoski@lanthorn.com

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