School's out for...Monsters

School might be out for summer, but monster-makers are working hard at the university. Teenagers from across the UK are at the university to learn the latest special make-up effects techniques from industry experts.

The Summer School is being run by a world-renowned special make-up effects company Gorton Studio, responsible for some of the most memorable moments from shows like Doctor Who, Call the Midwife and The Catherine Tate Show. It is being hosted by the university’s Centre for Film FX.

Seven students, aged between 14 and 17, who want to learn the basics of how to create creature masks and gory-looking wounds are being shown the ropes by Gorton Studios’ Bianca Judd and Richard McEvoy-Crompton, the university’s senior lecturer and Programme Leader of the Special Effects for Film and TV degree.

Bianca said: “The students have been a great bunch and they are very talented for such a young age. This is the first time I have been to the university and I am so impressed. The organisation, quality of teaching and the facilities are fantastic. We recommend this course to everyone looking to get into the industry because of its high quality.”

The five-day course culminated in a photo shoot to capture the masks created, giving a great kickstart to a portfolio.

Richard said: “The quality of the students’ work has been amazing.”

Gorton Studio is directed by internationally acclaimed prosthetics designer Neill Gorton, who has 30 years’ experience in the industry and is a Visiting Professor at the university.

One student, Jessica Potts, aged 15, from Over Hulton, Bolton, said: “I have really enjoyed the week, it has been a lot of fun.”

Jessica, who is a pupil at St James’ CE School, Farnworth, said: “I am very lucky that this school has taken place so close to where I live in Bolton. The course has made me realise that I do want to continue to study special make-up effects and I want to come to the University of Bolton to do it.”

Jessica says she became interested in special make-up watching the creatures in Doctor Who, created by Neill Gorton and his team.