Workshop helps to teach movie magic

October 16, 2019 | Dang Le | reporter
Photo by Joseph Serrata/The Collegian. TR public services librarian Matthew Morrison demonstrates tricks of the trade to applying special effects makeup for this upcoming Halloween on Oct. 9.
Photo by Joseph Serrata/The Collegian. TR public services librarian Matthew Morrison demonstrates tricks of the trade to applying special effects makeup for this upcoming Halloween on Oct. 9.

Students and faculty learned how to create a unique look for this coming Halloween in the Fish Tank Oct. 9 on TR Campus.

Special FX Make-Up Lab, hosted by TR public services librarian Matthew Morrison, introduced and displayed how to accomplish simple effects for films and events.

Morrison graduated with a theater degree from UT Arlington, where he learned how to play with stage props and started to do them as a hobby.

“I’m demonstrating how to make the effects, what the students need and how they can do it themselves,” he explained. “The lab is all about showing people who are interested in films and makeup that you can do cheaper props for yourself, and resources are much more common than you think.”

The students may find the event disappointing as Morrison decides to demonstrate the makeup on himself because of the liability issue, which means the students can’t do it themselves.

“It will be the most horrible way to find out whether you are allergic to latex,” Morrison said.

As the instructor of the lab, Morrison had a worksheet for instructions to make latex ‘skin’ and apply makeup.

He also passed around tools such as latex skin, stage blood and other wound props for demonstrating burning or puncture wound.

Despite working with pre-made tools, Morrison also encouraged his audience to be inventive and create their own props.

He mentioned seeing a lot of miraculous tools made by gadgets around the house.

Within 30 minutes, he created a burn wound by using paints and powders that looked identical to a store-bought version.

Students who attended the Make-Up Lab had mixed opinions regarding Morrison’s decision to avoid letting students try the makeup.

“I was only expecting demonstration because I have trouble putting things on my skin,” student Ciara McMurry said. “It would have been cool had I had a chance to apply on somebody else.”

For TR student and president of the TR Film Club Angel Guzman the decision took away from his experience.

“It would have been better if you get to do it on hand,” Guzman said. “I could have understood more about what I need to do.”