Lifecasting Primer
By Todd Debreceni Lifecasting can be dangerous if done wrong. Makeup effects artist Todd Debreceni covers the safety risks, materials
Art Department
The art department creates the look of a film: production design, set design and decoration, props, costumes and color palettes. These articles explain what each role does and share practical tips for making locations and sets support the story, even on a small budget.
The Production Design Brief
Make your film look right.
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The Making of Her: Creating a Futuristic Los Angeles
By Scott Essman Production designer K.K. Barrett and the team behind Spike Jonze’s Her explain how they created a warm,
Top Skills Needed for Today’s Production Designers
AFI Conservatory faculty and alumni share advice for aspiring production designers: collaboration, research, character back story and visual storytelling. Advice
The Makeup Effects of Cloud Atlas
By Scott Essman Scott Essman talks with the makeup artists who transformed Tom Hanks, Halle Berry and the cast of
Nathan Crowley and Gary Fettis on Designing Interstellar
By Scott Essman Production designer Nathan Crowley and set decorator Gary Fettis explain how they built the practical sets of
Creature from the Black Lagoon: The Gill Man Turns 60
By Scott Essman Scott Essman looks back at Creature from the Black Lagoon at 60: the Gill Man’s design, the
Makeup for the Award-Winning Cable Hit Series Mad Men
By Scott Essman Makeup department head Debbie Zoller explains how she recreated the period beauty makeup of 1959 to 1962
Concept Drawings That Bring the Script to Life
By John Hart Drawing can be learned. Storyboard artist John Hart explains how concept drawings illuminate and intensify a script’s
Transforming an Actress into Gertrude Stein, from Molds to Makeup
By Todd Debreceni Makeup effects artist Todd Debreceni shows how he turned an actress into Gertrude Stein, from life casting
Recipes for Special Makeup Effects
By Todd Debreceni Makeup effects artist Todd Debreceni shares simple special makeup recipes, such as age stipple, that look great
Keep the Pencils Sharpened
By Tony White Many think computers ended the need for drawing in animation. Animator Tony White explains why traditional art
DIY Sci-Fi Set Design
By Mark Cheng Not a handyman? Neither is Mark Cheng. He shows how he built a futuristic sci-fi set for