Bizarro: A Learn-by-Example Guide to the Art & Technique of Special Make-up Effects

by Tom Savini, Stephen King (Introduction), George A. Romero (Preface)

Bizarro includes 400 photos-100 in full color-of Savini's work on screen and behind the scenes. Many of these photographs have never been seen before. All the effects he has created in each of his films are explored and explained. Also included are step-by-step make-up demonstrations (shot especially for the book) to offer budding make-up artists and film fans a firsthand look at how cinematic illusions are created.
For the first time, Tom Savini has put his knowledge of technique and his experience in the field of special make-up effects down on paper. Bizarro is both a chronicle of his work and a learning guide for anyone who wishes to pursue special make-up effects as a career.


Tom Savini not only makes dreams real-he brings nightmares to life. In Bizarro he shows step-by-step how he created some of the most amazing special make-up effects in horror films today. Savini's films include Creepshow, Friday the 13th, Eyes of a Stranger, The Burning, Maniac, and The Prowler. His effects range from walking corpses to exploding zombies. He has also created some wonderful monsters, including Creepshow's Fluffy and Friday the 13th's spine-tingling Jason.

TOM SAVINI is an actor and stuntman, as well as being one of the top make-up artists in film.

Genres: Horror, Film

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recall reading this in my early teen years, and this time around I'm getting totally different things from it. Thinking about Savini processing his experiences in Vietnam in conjunction with his career is really powerful.

[Fishface · Rating 5 out of 5]

All superlatives. I never get tired of this one. Tom Savini's memoir of life in the SFX biz. Full of step-by-step instructions for making people's heads come off in a spray of blood, creating monster sculptures, and making it all look realer than real. Full of unique technical terms like "ye olde blood tubing." Also has a little biographical information on his life as a combat photographer in Vietnam, his close friendsship with Taso Stavrakis -- the guy who croaked it immediately in DAWN OF THE DEAD but almost lived through the whole movie in DAY OF THE DEAD -- and lots of other great stuff.