Watch How Makeup Artists Turn Actors Into Movie Monsters

How do you turn a human into a fantastical monster or ferocious beast? As it turns out, it takes prosthetics, a little bit of makeup, and a lot of talent. In the short documentary “Credited As: Special Makeup Effects Artist” from Academy Originals, Howard Berger shows, step by step, how he creates special effects makeup for Hollywood movies, from the initial sculpting process to application.

Berger, who runs KNB EFX Group, has created miraculous monsters and amazing makeup effects for everything from Evil Dead II (1987) and Scream (1996) to Inglourious Basterds (2009). But he still sees special effects makeup as a magical process. “When you put a mask on, you can be anybody,” he explains. “You have the actor as a new canvas, and then you’re able to create whatever you want, whatever your imagination brings to the table.” Check it out above.

[h/t Gizmodo]

Banner Image Credit: Academy Originals, YouTube