Do any of you have any good web sites/ books/tutorials to make scenery/props/masks for movies?

I've found a lot about chicken wire, spray foam, blah blah, but does anyone know where to get a step by step breakdown on how to do it?

I don't want to start making a mask then have it melt or explode or soemthing that is likely to happen when someone like me works on it.

http://www.themonsterlab.com/ is a pretty good site for special effects makeup. (check the study and the forums) I also have found that old theatre makeup books (up to early 80's) have some really good and practical ideas in them. Most are done with cheap household type stuff and some look really good. Libraries generally have 1 or 2 books on theatre makeup and stage production which can be a great starting point.

Can you get more specific on what you want to make? I have a decent amount of experience with props and setbuilding--and I used to do some latex face FX stuff. Otherwise, I'd look at fellow SF member Padwana Nick's website, specificly the links portal. He's got all sorts of links from DIY vacuum forming to miniatures and puppet building and everything in between.

I was thinking of building some massive scary trees for a haunted house I'm doing this Halloween.

And then I need latex work for some wounds, zombie like stuff.

Really, I just want anything you got. I would like to compile a reference book.

Here's an idea! If everyone gives their ideas below I will compile a reference book and post it in the forum! That way everyone can benefit.

So everyone post stuff you got on how to blow buildings up, make good monster masks, make mortal wounds, build sets, or any household trick that you can think of to up the looks of our movies production value!

Then, as more ideas come up, I will update the book!

Here's some good stuff I've tried and it works.

FAKE BLOOD
1 cup (250mL) creamy Peanut Butter - they recommend Critic's Choice or Peter Pan

1 qt. (1 L) White Corn Syrup (Cheapest brand you can find - they tend to be thicker)

½ cup (125mL) Non-suds soap (they use LOC Regular, which is only available through Amway - there are alternatives)

1 oz. (30mL) red food color

15 - 17 drops blue food color

FAKE GLASS
Using sugar, a fake sheet of glass similar to the type used for prop bottles in movies can be made. This is the sort of "glass" that is often seen breaking in fight scenes in cowboy films. The finished product is translucent and brown.

Butter a baking sheet and put it into the refrigerator to chill. Pour a cup (250ml) of sugar into a small pan over a burner set to low. Stir constantly until the sugar melts. It will seem to take forever but eventually it will turn brown and melt. Keep stirring until it has melted completely.

When it has melted, pour it onto the baking sheet, which should be cold and as level as you can get it. Let cool.

To clean the pan, fill it with water and boil. This will dissolve the sugar clinging to the sides.

A reader, Charles Mitchard, wrote to point out that: "there is no need to cook the sugar until it is brown. Just cook to the hard crack stage; this is just before it starts to colour. Pour this into a large pan lined with silicon (baker's) paper to form a 5mm thick sheet. This will make excellent windows."

Fake Warts

Materials:

Whole peppercorns white or black, Corn syrup or eyelash glue, Hair bristles from a paintbrush or out of your hair brush, (Optional) Non-toxic watercolors (the kind you use in grade school)

Directions:

Glue peppercorns to your hands or face using the corn syrup or eyelash glue. KEEP PEPPERCORNS AWAY FROM YOUR EYES! You may have to hold them in place until the glue or syrup is dry. Dip one end of the hairs in the glue or syrup and attach to the peppercorn, so they look hairy. Use the paints to color them creepy!

Fake Scabs

Materials:

Two paintbrushes, small saucepan (if using a microwave, you will need a glass 1-cup measuring cup)

Ingredients:

Cornmeal, Corn syrup, Red or brown water colors or makeup blush or rouge, One envelope unflavored gelatin, like Knox brand.

Directions:

• In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup of cold water. Let stand one minute. Then stir over low heat until all of the gelatin is completely dissolved. (Microwave Directions: In a 1-cup glass measuring cup, sprinkle one envelope gelatin over 1/4 cup of cold water, let stand 2 minutes. Microwave on HIGH {Full power} for 40 seconds, stir well, then let stand 2 more minutes until gelatin is completely dissolved. Let it cool completely before using!)
• Paint or smear a thin coat of corn syrup on your skin the shape you want your scabs to be. Cover the syrup with a thick layer of cornmeal. Let it sit for 2 minutes, then carefully tap off the excess. Use the paints or makeup to color the cornmeal patches.
• With a paintbrush, paint the COOLED gelatin mixture over and around the scab. Do this VERY GENTLY so you don't brush off the cornmeal. (The gelatin "seals" it in place).

Fake Bruises

Materials:

Deep blue powder eyeshadow, charcoal or smoke gray powder eyeshadow, shimmery green powder eyeshadow, make up brush.

Directions:

Using a blot of deep blue powder eye shadow, apply with a wet make up brush. Use your fingertips to add blots of charcoal gray and blue shadows. Touch up the edges with a shimmery olive green. Smudge the bruise to complete.


Black Eye - Apply red and blue eye shadow to depressions around eyes.


And I forgot to thank you guys for those sites. Have you tried them yourselves? post the ones you have tried and work so I can start compiling a book of WORKING tricks that are actually work good.