Back in the Saddle Again!

Oooook. Here is the latest entry in the Jarrod saga or as I like to call it "Jarrod: Breaking Dawn." Now that I am back in Florida, its time to get back at it. This entry will be about books, my favorite things in the world, next to my dark angel Olivia. Books make me happy. If my house were to burn down, I would save the books first, and yes, they even trump my love of video games. Here is a list of useful books I have compiled that will aid you in your quest to absorb as much brain candy as possible:

1.Pop Sculpture: How to Create Action Figures and Collectible Statues- This book is my dream. I love resin kits. I love action figures. And being a Savini grad, I know how to sculpt, mold and cast. If you have ever wanted to know how to make your own, you should have bought this book along time ago. As a matter of fact, I know a certain school who should consider this for a text book (wink wink).

2. The Winston Effect: The Art & History of Stan Winston Studio- If you have to question why you need to own this book, e-mail me and I will come hit you in the head with a tack hammer.

3.Designing Movie Creatures and Characters: Behind the scenes with the movie masters - This is a nice little book that details the creation of several hollywood characters. With plenty of great info from your favorite artists and designers, this is a book that must be on your shelf, right next to.....

4.Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen: Making and Applying Prosthetics- OOOWWWNN IITT! This one actually is a textbook and well deserved too!

5.Reel Characters: A Quick Reference for Creating Out of Kit Feature Quality Character Make-ups and Hurt 'Em Reel Good: A Quick Reference For Out Of Kit Make-up Effects- These two are written by the same author. These books detail great out-of-kit wounds and character makeups.

6.Greasepaint and Gore: The Hammer Monsters of Roy Ashton- Not necessarily a special effects how-to book, but I am a firm believer in the "learn-by-example" style of learning. It chronicles the creation and use of monsters in Hammer films of yesteryear.

7.Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem: Inside the Monster Shop and AVP: Alien vs. Predator: The Creature Effects of ADI- Remember the learn by example thing? Yeah, I'm big on that.

8.Wig Making and Styling: A Complete Guide for Theatre & Film- This book is the most complete and useful book on the subject of wigs and wig making that I have been able to find.

9.Grande Illusions and Grande Illusions 2- These are the Bibles written by Scholar Tom Savini and handed down to mere mortals so that we may learn.

10. Making a Monster: The Creation of Screen Characters by the Great Makeup Artists-Despite the age, this book still covers some really awesome ground.

There you have it. By no means is this all the books on the subject in the world, but these are the some of the ones that I enjoy and find useful. Enjoy them and go spend money!

You are welcome Amazon!

Props? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Props! (Actually, we do, sorry props.)

     Hello all, yet again. Seems like it was only yesterday that I first posted, but alas, it was like 3 days ago. Today, I will be listing a few propping forums (forums seem to contain more useful info than just plain websites) to help out for your prop building needs:

The RPF-The Replica Prop Forum. A very useful site for getting inspiration or figuring out just how to make that Tron helmet you have been wanting.

The Hunter's Lair-Who doesn't love Predator? Who doesn't love Predator props? This forum is just for Pred and Pred related props

Haunt Forum- Props Sub-Forum- Okay, so it's a Halloween props forum, but maybe not everyone wants to work in the movies.

Aside from simple forums, Blogs seem to be a great source of propping info (ahem.) Here is one that I find awesome:

Volpin Props Blog

Thats about all for this post.  Next time, we may tackle Special Effects Makeup. If you are nice.

Love, Sheep, and Multi-Piece!

Jarrod

First Post, Last Standing.

      Hello reader. Did you accidentally stumble onto this site? Are you lost and looking for Facebook? Do you like props? Makeup? Special Effects? Scary Movies? (Oh god, one sentence in and I make a Scream reference, buckle down everyone, it doesn't get any better than this.)
      My name is Jarrod and I like stuff. What kind of stuff? Effects stuff. Props, appliances, resin kits, weapons, paintings, that kind of stuff. Hopefully you like it too. If that is the case, you should definitely join me on my wonderful descent into Effects Madness! Each week, I myself will compile different sites and services that will benefit you, the reader, and maybe even drop a few processes that will aid you in your quest. So without further ado, here is the first useful site of the week:

  Do you like Ghostbusters? Who doesn't? Do you like props? Have you made a Ghost Trap or a Proton Pack yet? No? Head on over to:

gbfans.com

Once there, click Community on the site bar. This will bring you to the Forums. Scroll down and look for the appropriate forum for the prop you want. You will now be transported to an area of builders and fabricators that will inspire and help you (and sometimes yell at you, but that's just part of the territory.) Also on gbfans, click Equipment from the same menu bar to be taken to a list of schematics that are almost vital to the entire process of building.

Helpful? Let me know! Any site requests? Want to know how to make or do something? E-mail me!
jarrodhblanchard@gmail.com
And I will see what I can do.

Until next time!

Jarrod