This is going to be a scream! (AAAAAAAAAAAAAA) Whoa! Good thing I didn’t say it would be a gas…

Today, I went to a makeup class for the Dark Hollow Haunted Forest in Maple Valley. It’s expected that you’ll be present to apply makeup to the actors for at least one night of the haunt after taking the class; I committed to five. I would have committed to more, but October is a busy month for me, and I’ve got to work on my own Halloween costume and figure out how to do the makeup effects I want for myself (we’re going to a party with a big prize this year and I’ve got my sights set high (oh lord I have to dye fabric tomorrow and my kitchen will never be the same(goodbye deposit(hello obnoxious nesting statements(help me I can’t stop!))))), plus I’ve got the pumpkin carving party and an insane amount of food to prep because I can’t seem to throw a party half-assed. It’s whole ass or nothing!

The makeup style they’re doing is completely different from the style that I’m used to, and in the test application today I struggled more than I’d like to admit. It didn’t turn out as something I was pleased with, and so in my copious amounts of free time (uh oh) I am going to practice on myself until I’ve improved in both speed and technique. I was frustrated with myself because I feel like I should have done better–I’m one of those that wants to do something exactly right the very first time and those expectations rarely work out well for me.

The instructor/lead makeup artist is extremely knowledgeable, and another very talented artist showed up today as well–I am going to stick tight to both of them, as there is so much I could learn from them. Today, I asked a lot of (probably) really annoying questions about making prosthetics, GM foam, and whether working with it in my oven will kill me or just drive me out of the apartment, away from the smell of Satan’s Buttcrack emanating from the kitchen. I learned that while it probably WON’T kill me, the stench is almost unbearable and that it takes a LOT of time and effort to get the mixture correct so I’m probably better off not trying to experiment with it for myself this Halloween unless I’m looking to deal with a lot of mess and frustration with limited time.

I’m really looking forward to this experience–I’m definitely going to take a lot away from it. Experience PLUS contributing in my own way to causing someone to tinkle their undies in fear. This is the life! They encourage the artists to stick around for the haunt and act themselves, but I’m on the fence about it. I am simultaneously wooden and a laugher, which doesn’t bode well for scaring people wee-less.

I have also been informed that I sound exactly like a character from Daria when I talk. I haven’t seen the show and now I’m curious as to which one. If there’s an obnoxious one, it’s probably that one.

26 Comments This is going to be a scream! (AAAAAAAAAAAAAA) Whoa! Good thing I didn’t say it would be a gas…

  1. amazoni September 26, 2010 at 5:34 am

    Ah cool! I’m so glad you got to go to that! 🙂

    1. admin September 26, 2010 at 5:38 am

      Thanks so much for passing on the info!

    2. admin September 26, 2010 at 5:38 am

      Thanks so much for passing on the info!

  2. amazoni September 26, 2010 at 5:34 am

    Ah cool! I’m so glad you got to go to that! 🙂

  3. thecostumegal September 26, 2010 at 7:17 am

    The obnoxious one is her sister.

    Um, if you are dying fabric, be sure to keep softscrub or something on hand. If it’s stove top, keep the softscrub on hand for tile and grout, and keep an extra pot handy to put the fabric in after you take it from the dye bath so you don’t drip. If you’re really worried, try putting down plastic like you’re painting. Wear gloves too, and don’t use the pots for food again.

    1. scearley September 26, 2010 at 5:49 pm

      I always felt Brittany was the obnoxious one.

    2. scearley September 26, 2010 at 5:49 pm

      I always felt Brittany was the obnoxious one.

    3. admin September 26, 2010 at 6:27 pm

      Thanks for the tips, I will definitely use those! And I have no intention of using those pots for food. 🙂

    4. admin September 26, 2010 at 6:27 pm

      Thanks for the tips, I will definitely use those! And I have no intention of using those pots for food. 🙂

  4. thecostumegal September 26, 2010 at 7:17 am

    The obnoxious one is her sister.

    Um, if you are dying fabric, be sure to keep softscrub or something on hand. If it’s stove top, keep the softscrub on hand for tile and grout, and keep an extra pot handy to put the fabric in after you take it from the dye bath so you don’t drip. If you’re really worried, try putting down plastic like you’re painting. Wear gloves too, and don’t use the pots for food again.

  5. scearley September 26, 2010 at 5:47 pm

    Sort-of like Daria.
    It’s more in your word choice than in your vocal timbre.

    i have no idea why this video is backwards.

  6. scearley September 26, 2010 at 5:47 pm

    Sort-of like Daria.
    It’s more in your word choice than in your vocal timbre.

    i have no idea why this video is backwards.

  7. beachin September 26, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    This is the best news I’ve read from you in a long time! I am SO GLAD you are going forward with this dream and pursuing experience that will lead to your new career/fun life! GO YOU! We have world famous haunted house here in Baton Rouge and I happen to know people who do the makeup/prosthetics for this place. I probably told you that they have made careers for themselves out of this. You are getting a good start in the right direction.

    Don’t hesitate to ask more questions, ask for personal workshop-type time with these people. They may take you under their wing and be willing to use you for more volunteer efforts that can pay off in the long run. My friend hires his employees from the crew at the haunted house, so think of this as good training grounds. Continue to build yourself up to these people of talent and experience, as it can only be positive for you.

    Did I mention that I am SO GLAD you are doing this?! YAY!!!!

    1. admin September 27, 2010 at 1:41 pm

      Those are really good ideas, thank you! 🙂

    2. admin September 27, 2010 at 1:41 pm

      Those are really good ideas, thank you! 🙂

  8. beachin September 26, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    This is the best news I’ve read from you in a long time! I am SO GLAD you are going forward with this dream and pursuing experience that will lead to your new career/fun life! GO YOU! We have world famous haunted house here in Baton Rouge and I happen to know people who do the makeup/prosthetics for this place. I probably told you that they have made careers for themselves out of this. You are getting a good start in the right direction.

    Don’t hesitate to ask more questions, ask for personal workshop-type time with these people. They may take you under their wing and be willing to use you for more volunteer efforts that can pay off in the long run. My friend hires his employees from the crew at the haunted house, so think of this as good training grounds. Continue to build yourself up to these people of talent and experience, as it can only be positive for you.

    Did I mention that I am SO GLAD you are doing this?! YAY!!!!

  9. wildcelticrose September 26, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    Oh! you should do an LJ voice post and we can tell you

  10. wildcelticrose September 26, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    Oh! you should do an LJ voice post and we can tell you

  11. princessgeek September 26, 2010 at 9:10 pm

    That sounds super fun! I once had a prosthetic nose for a show! It was pretty cool/ugly. 😀

    1. admin September 27, 2010 at 1:42 pm

      I think prosthetics are completely awesome because of the way they can alter a person’s entire appearance. 🙂

    2. admin September 27, 2010 at 1:42 pm

      I think prosthetics are completely awesome because of the way they can alter a person’s entire appearance. 🙂

  12. princessgeek September 26, 2010 at 9:10 pm

    That sounds super fun! I once had a prosthetic nose for a show! It was pretty cool/ugly. 😀

  13. lady_sotha September 26, 2010 at 5:33 pm

    It sounds like you’re going to have a great time at this class and that it will be the kind of learning that is fun! Make sure to post pics of your work if you able to; I would love to see it.

    1. admin September 26, 2010 at 6:39 pm

      I will find out what the rules are about such things. 🙂

    2. admin September 26, 2010 at 6:39 pm

      I will find out what the rules are about such things. 🙂

  14. lady_sotha September 26, 2010 at 5:33 pm

    It sounds like you’re going to have a great time at this class and that it will be the kind of learning that is fun! Make sure to post pics of your work if you able to; I would love to see it.

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