What skills do you all feel an artist should have before hiring themselves out?

[TheKingaSwing]

OK so this is something I've been thinking about lately.

FX IS what I want to do so every waking minute is spent working towards that goal, sometimes to the point of exhaustion but hey, no pain no gain.

So, as many of you have disgustingly huge amounts of talent, what skills/pieces do you think should be part of someone's portfolio before they put themselves out there?

So far, I've only made a few things, Batman related stuff, 3 cowls although the first one shouldnt count lol

So I've made 2 plaster molds, 4 silicone, worked with fiberglass as a jacket material as well as jesmonite, cast in latex and urethane rubbers. Its a pretty short list as the subject matter is limiting.

So I'm leaving that for a bit, apart from 2 Robin eye masks I have a couple of resin busts I want to make and some prosthetics I want to try. Those will get me more into the makeup side of things including airbrushing.

And I also really want to try foam latex. Mike and I actually got introduced because I wanted to make a set of Kit Fisto prosthetics and he convinced me foam is the only way to go. Which is why they arent done yet lol

So in my head, a good portfolio would consist of something like the following:

-Pictures of sculpts of a varying variety. Busts, costume parts, prosthetic sculpts etc
-Pictures of the molds for the above items, to show you can make molds using different materials and methods
-Finished pieces, cast, painted, applied and made up.

Before I put a portfolio together, I wanna make some more latex masks and airbrush them, prosthetics from silicone, foam and gelatin as well as work on molding and sculpting skills.

Also, lifecasting too, forgot that one.
How does that sound?

One thing I can't do at all though, is DRAW. Never could, I can't really write well either but thats due to nerve trouble, I can sculpt though which is weird. But almost everyone has designs on paper somewhere, I don't, I have to sculpt it because I cant draw what my mind sees. Will that hinder me later on? Certain things can be learned but I dont feel drawing is one of them.

Any input would be so appreciated guys, thanks for reading!

[Lost in the Orient]

Number one, the smart ass, albeit true answer is that you need the skills necessary to do the job.  I know guys that did nothing by patching and seaming foam latex for like 5 years straight.  There are some guys in this industry that did nothing but molds, albeit in every material under the sun, for 20 years.  It depends on the situation.  Now, they go started at a time when things were a bit different.

In today's day and age, I would say a well rounds portfolio is key.

You want at least 3-4 examples of every key material/skill and it is important to note an on set portfolio is usually different than a lab portfolio.  A lab portfolio needs no bruises, no construction make-ups, no wax cuts, no beauty work, no body painting, and nothing with blood on it per se unless it is a fake body or parts.

I would say have some nice clean stone molds, so urethane ones, some fiberglass ones.  A multipiece make is a good thing to have and show it all, the cast pieces, the molds, the sculpt, the paint, and the application.  Some good matrix molds are always good.  Maybe a little patching and seaming, but not as crucial.  A few body parts would be good, whole body is a bonus for sure.  Anything that really showcases good technique is good.  I would suggest some sculptures, especially something things shows good sense of anatomy and texture.

[TheKingaSwing]

Ok so I wasn't far off. I think making the foam oven will be the big thing once I've sculpted some prosthetic pieces. For some reason it seems like a big expensive task but in reality, it probably costs less than molding a full bust lol

Thanks for the input Mike. What do you think about the drawing thing?

[Lost in the Orient]

I draw fairly well, and it can come in handy, but it is certainly not a deal breaker.  If you can sculpt well but cannot draw, then you have nothing to worry about.

[TheKingaSwing]

Thats good to know. It just seemed like sculpting and drawing went hand in hand for most people. I wish I could draw, I loved tracing comics as a kid (haven't done that since I was 10 or so) but drawing my own stuff just wouldn't work. Maybe I can still train myself to at least be able to get ideas across if nothing else.

[fettster]

Blimey, that's a loaded question Nate.

It really depends on what area you want to focus on and depends where you want to send it.

For example, I have worked for one shop where I have to do everything from design, sculpt, mould, cast, paint and finish pieces before but have worked elsewhere where you only get to focus on one area.

One thing that is quite important is do not include replica pieces. You will be taken more seriously if you can show an original piece through design to completion in your portfolio, also, you want only 2/3 good pictures of each piece or the person viewing your folio can get board.

Also , it's good to have a cv in your portfolio, not one listing your math grades but one specifically for fx so relevant experience, training and skillsets

[mrbungle]

well that counts me out, all my projects are replicas........

[Lost in the Orient]

if your replica work is really good, then people will take you seriously, it is the quality of work that gets you hired.  Be sure to have molds, and other stuff in the portfolio, not just sculpts and paints