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Dick Smith Special FX Makeup Training is a professional education program founded by special effects makeup legend Dick Smith, designed for home study without attending an in-person makeup school. The courses focus on film and TV special effects makeup, prosthetic makeup, and 3D makeup, serving everyone from complete beginners to experienced professional makeup artists. The website highlights that its Advanced Professional Makeup Course has produced multiple Oscar-winning or Oscar-nominated graduates, and cites industry examples such as Weta Workshop and Spectral Motion as endorsements.
The program is divided into the Basic 3-D Makeup Course and the Advanced Professional Makeup Course. The Basic course is aimed at beginners and uses step-by-step instructions and videos designed by Dick Smith to guide students through completing a full prosthetic makeup, with critiques available from Oscar-winning instructors. The Advanced course is a more open-ended, student-driven program suitable for those who already have experience in sculpting or prosthetic makeup. Its materials include detailed texts and videos by Dick Smith, along with supplementary content from Andrew Clement. Students complete projects at home, submit photos of their work by email, and receive technical feedback.
The Basic course costs $375, with materials purchased separately; in the U.S., materials cost around $350. The full Advanced course costs $1,995 plus shipping, or it can be purchased in three parts at $665 each. Materials are not included in the tuition. If focusing mainly on the more basic gelatin face-and-neck projects, the site’s sample budget is around $1,000. Advanced students may apply for the Dick Smith Certificate of Merit, but the certificate is not issued simply for completing course hours. It is awarded based on the quality of the work, and typically requires submitting three completed makeup projects that meet a professional standard.
Its strengths lie in its very strong industry reputation, with the founder’s legacy and alumni examples carrying clear professional credibility. The home-study format is suitable for students who cannot afford in-person makeup schools or cannot leave home. The Advanced course materials can also serve as a long-term professional reference. The limitations are also clear: the courses are only in English, which creates a language barrier for Chinese students; materials, shipping, and international purchasing costs require additional consideration; the Advanced course is not a fixed, hand-holding curriculum and depends more on self-motivation and prior experience; and there is no formal job placement, though outstanding students may receive referral opportunities.
It is better suited to special effects makeup learners with clear goals who are willing to build and refine a portfolio over the long term, especially those aiming to enter film and TV prosthetic makeup, creature makeup, and character effects work. The text does not provide information about access from China. Before enrolling, prospective students should confirm website accessibility, international shipping, materials sourcing, and the availability of payment methods such as PayPal.
⚠ This review is compiled from public sources and does not constitute a purchase recommendation. Verify all facts on the vendor's official site. Verify on dicksmithmake-up.com official site.
dicksmithmake-up.com is an United States Education provider. TG4G tracks its product information, with monthly pricing from $350.00, an overall rating of 6.0/10, and a China-accessibility score of Workable. Click "Visit Official Site" to reach dicksmithmake-up.com directly.