Running Resin in Silicone Moulds

Hi, sorry for the time away, busy busy busy!
I get asked so often about the life of a silicone mould. Particularly if running Polyurethane Resin, Epoxy or Polyester Resin.
Well we wish that silicone would last forever, but alas.......no ...it does have a 'run life'.
I would make a guess at approx 30-40 runs if your lucky. Sounds good , but we want more out of our moulds as the silicone aint cheap, right?
Well using a release agent is not that necessary with silicone for resins , but you can if you have larger undercuts , hard to get out pieces etc. But the best way to preserve your moulds I have found is to look after them.
Tips for looking after:
1. Washing them out in a tub of warm water with alittle bit of dish liquid and drying out completely afterwards. (Resin HATES moist ....so dry dry dry)
2. My other trick is to dust out the moulds with Talc , just use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder, make sure the excess is out ...........you will not believe how this will release the surface tension and also assist in getting those bubbles out.
3. One of the most important parts of running Resin in Silicone moulds is to mix the A/B well , if you dont and it does not cure in spots it ruins the moulds.
Hey presto.........a tip and trick to make your silicone moulds last longer.
Happy Casting!  Kym

BALD CAP ALTERNATIVE

Life Casting and the use of bald caps to cover the hair is standard practice
but I have acouple of handy tricks that maybe used , especially if you cant get your hands on a bald cap.
I have used SWIM CAPS, yes thats right swim caps. They are great
they are tight and nearly always dont need glueing and cheap.
I can buy them here for under $5 compared to bald caps for over $30.
(thats if you dont make your own of course) . Then there is the trusty glad wrap (cling film ) wrapped around the head too.
TRY it and see how you go.......... have fun. Kym x

LOAD UP YOUR KITS

OK its time to fill or refill your makeup kits and everyone just wants the best products / deals and
lots of it....me too! We are not talking resale here....... this is for your work kits!
I can only suggest that others  will suggest different things to you, when you are getting started it is best to stick to the well known brands so you don't waste your money on lots of things you hate and will never put on anyone (there are a lot out there trust me I have donated to theatre groups over the years)..

Look as much as we would love to buy locally, the dollar is so good at the moment that buying online from USA is a good move. Our supplies here need to be more proactive with the dollar value, and they would sell more. You know, when its up then lower there prices, when its down etc....food for thought and if you ask maybe you can get a deal from your local supplier based on the dollar on the day. I would ask...after all its a sale for them.
I love Frends and Naimes in the US, and always come home with a suitcase full of new things when I go over. 
We have some great suppliers here, so get online and have fun.
Type in : makeup supplies/au

I will give you some of my favs: local and international
www.professionalmakeupsupplies.com.au
www.ateliermakeup.com
www.barnes.com.au  (for all your Sculpt/Mould/Cast goodies- meet me in store Brisbane from 11 October 2010)
www.issada.com.au
www.smartpoppy.com.au
www.frendsbeautysupply.com
www.naimies.com

www.kryolancosmetics.com.au  (formerly Backstage Melb)
www.lehved.com.au
www.latonasmakeup.com.au
www.wilshirewigs.com
www.wigsonline.com.au
www.crownbrush.com ( my fav is the Italian Badger Series - so cost effective you can have a set for every actor)

Well these are just afew of my favorites and there are so many others, so happy hunting to either adding to your existing kits or creating a brand new one.
Remember .................
Makeup to love , love to makeup ....................Kym
Let me know if you have any favs and I will add!

CONTINUITY

 QUESTION FROM SHARI

Hi Kym,
I was hoping you could give me some tips on continuity.
In the past I have taken lots of shots with a digital camera and used the camera itself to look back for reference, it works OK for small short films, but its tricky to loose track of what is what even then. I have a 2 week location shoot coming up and I will have access to a camera & laptop but no printer. What would be the best approach?
Thanks so much, really helpful great blog!.
Shari
_______________________________
Dear Shari, the best way to keep track of your photos for continuity is to TAKE A PHOTO OF THE SC. NUMBER ON THE CALL SHEET before you start taking photos for that scene. (if your camera wont let you focus on the small print just write it UNDER in black felt pen and then take shot).
If you dont get a call sheet ( god forbid) just write on piece of paper and take shot ...........ie
Sc 5 D4  Ext Cabin - Lois Lane  ...........(lol)
Works really well as you just have to go to the shots after and hey presto there they are for continuity.
The other way is to buy a camera down the track that you can write on the screen with a stylus the Scene etc.
They are alittle expensive but worth the investment down the track.
Hope this helps for your up coming project. Have fun!  Let me know how it goes .    Kym

BALD CAPS - What a nightmare

Well they teach you how to make one and apply one in Makeup School, but try to make it work on film is a nightmare you would rather hand over to someone else. Right!
The traditional Bald Cap, no matter what material you make them from , whether you can blend the edges always comes short with the back of the cap. The actor moves and it wrinkles unnaturally, it starts to move under all the closed in heat and sweat the actor produces during the day.
Bald caps are fantastic for under prosthetic appliances but in my experience a fully sculptured bald cap neck piece is the answer ( back of the head). You can sculpt in the natural curves of the back of the neck and even extend to shoulder and side of neck if you wish. (Go check out someones neck now, there are contours there and not just a flat surface which you get from applying a traditional bald cap)
Everyone remembers Tom Hanks in 'Philadelpia' when he had that bald cap on. It was all working well and then there was that ONE shot of the side and back that made me want to ring the editor and tear him to shreds on behave of the makeup department. You see you cant believe anyone when they say 'We will never see it from that angle' -  My advise is they don't have your back. Just be aware that your makeup will be shot from any angle and usually by multiple camera.
Photography is different as you do have control on the day. Just like this photo above, I designed and applied this makeup only to be shot from the front. Thank god as the back was a  wrinkle mess! lol.
The actress had really long hair and I had it hanging down her back. This is another problem with using bald caps on film, you have to wrap the actors hair tight and smooth to the head to iron out any lumpy bits, this is a big ask especially with any hair of length.
I have done afew makeups with what I call my 1/2 bald cap, and used the actors own hair at back and applied lace hair pieces to the top and sides of the cap ( old age ) and this works well.
Anyway , a technique to cool not to include in a Makeup class , so it will continue to be taught, just remember all the things that just dont work with them and you will be fine. And freshen up on your sculpting and moulding techniques.  Valuable tools for any makeup artist.
Happy Makeup....ing    . Kym

FREELANCERS - GET INSURED

Over 80% of freelance artists/technicians are NOT insured. This not only limits your job prospects it is a bad case of what the hell are you thinking.!!!
This is how it goes: If you only work for a specific production company and receive a wage, you are covered under their insurance for the duration of that contract.
If you freelance and do various jobs in a week , month or what ever, you are responsible to have your own work cover, public liability insurance.( and of course in AU - ABN)
If you DON'T - be warned - you are liable for anything that happens, goes wrong with the people you are doing Makeup on and if you have an accident you are not covered with out insurance.
So many technicians and makeup artists I have spoken to over the past year are NOT covered.
Their response is 'I cant afford it' - mmmmhh if you cant afford it then don't expect to afford the millions of dollars someone could sue you for , reaction to products, accidents with tools, etc.
Dont say 'That won't happen to me' it could happen to anyone and that is what 'Insurance' means.
The other insurance you MUST have is Income Protection, because as a freelancer if you get sick, you cant earn money, so you need to protect your possible income outcome.
I think that says it all. GET INSURANCE now if  you want to work in the freelance world!
For those who are working on low, no budget, films - if you think they have your back - think again!
Always ask, is my tip this week.
I am not going to recommend any companies as they all do different things, get on the phone or online and discuss with a professional broker to tailor make your requirements.
I am most passion about this subject and now scared with the lack of knowledge artists have about this topic out there!
If you have any advise or have a company that you would like to share with everyone please post a comment at the end of this blog. Remember we are all in this together! I will post your advise.
Thanks and insure UP!           Please.  Kym

Atelier Makeup

www.ateliermakeup.com

ATELIER MAKEUP PRODUCTS : I have been getting alot of questions about Atelier,
So here is the site again.
Fantastic liquid foundations as they are available in water proof as well.
For example if you are ordering a 3YFL ( 3 yellow fluid) then the matching
water proof is 3YFLW.
There lip and eye palettes are great as well. Love there lip and eye pencils and metallic powders.

THE CLAY CUTTER

THE CLAY CUTTER : Wish I had one of these years ago. Contact Mark on
fxindustries@optusnet.com.au
for more info and a great price.
Thanks Mark , your a time saving legend.  Kym

BLOG QUESTIONS

CALLING FOR BLOG TRICK AND TIPS QUESTIONS ............or just want to confirm your on the right track with your design and how to!
Don't forget you are all welcome to ask questions about 'How To' if your stuck and need some assistance!
I love it and am most happy to share with tricks and tips for your make up jobs.
After all I have made 'Cold Sores' to 'Dinosaurs'.......budgets for low to big budget films and all in between so it  will be great to hear from you if you need advice.   Kym

WIG WORK

WORKING SOME MAGIC TO YOUR PROJECT.
Even though trained in wig making and I dont want to count the number I have made over the years there has
always been a little trick I use for wigs, makeup and effects work. Getting the foundation (structure) just right can save you time , money and get the perfect fit ever time.
If you can get a life cast of the actors head then the rest is easy. The traditional ways of old to take a template with clingwrap and tape is great and I still use it, but doing an actual life cast is the best.
You can use indalible ink to mark out the hair line before the life cast and hey presto , its all then up to you spending the next days making your masterpiece.  Good luck . Kym
Dont forget my recommended wig books list on my blog.