Tom Savini's
special
make-up effects
Program
Special make-up effects are at the heart of every production. For those interested in such a career path, Douglas Education Center is looking for dedicated, creative individuals who want to turn their most complex ideas into reality. Started by Tom Savini, a pioneer in the special make-up effects industry, students will have the opportunity to learn his most valuable tips and tricks to become successful.
Shift vision to screen.
Skills you'll walk out with:
Airbrushing Techniques
Scanning & 3D Printing
Create Eyes, Teeth, & Character Effects
Master the craft in
a real-world shop.
Smaller classroom settings help make education more personalized and thorough. Students sculpt, mold, apply prosthetics, and work under real deadlines to achieve professional results, often on the same set as the George A. Romero Filmmaking Program students.
Pro photo studio support
Romero filmmaking collaboration
On-set application alongside George A. Romero’s Filmmaking Program. The same campus, the same shoot, real production deadlines.
DEC graduates have worked with well-known studios.
Advanced Prosthetic Design
Alliance Studios
Asylum Films
Atomic Body Art
Quantum Creation Effects
Beholder FX
CFX Silicone Masks
Saturday Night Live
Universal Studios
McFarlane Toys
RAW Studios
Career services and portfolio development help students show future employers their best skills, progress, and quality of work.
Known as the “Godfather of Gore,” Tom Savini helped revolutionize the horror genre through his work on films including Dawn of the Dead, Friday the 13th, Monkey Shines, and Creepshow. Savini was also involved with Day of the Dead, Knightriders, Two Evil Eyes, and Heartstopper, among many others. Tom Savini’s work has extended beyond films as well, contributing to multiple television programs. In addition, one of our graduates had the opportunity to work on a movie at Universal Studios and directly with Tom Savini himself, which Tom says is one of the proudest moments of his career. His program at DEC was created to help students develop the skills they need to become successful in special make-up effects.
Graduates have worked on productions including: Avengers · Captain America · X-Men · Spiderman · Guardians of the Galaxy · Batman v Superman · Suicide Squad · American Horror Story · The Walking Dead · Pirates of the Caribbean · Dawn of the Dead · Dark Shadows · World War Z · Friday the 13th · plus FaceOff TV appearances.
Stop thinking about it and just do it. Aren't we talking about making your dreams come true?
Learn from instructors with real industry experience.
TOM SAVINI
- FOUNDER
Known for his work in Dawn of the Dead, Friday the 13th, Creepshow, Day of the Dead, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2, The Burning, Maniac
JERRY GERGELY
- PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Jerry Gergely is an Emmy-nominated special makeup effects artist and educator known for his work on films and television projects including Night of the Living Dead, My Bloody Valentine, The Dark Half, and Babylon 5. Director since the inception of the program in 2000, his current projects include Terror Night Theatre and guest appearances at Monster Bash and Weekend of the Living Dead.
DEJAH GILGOUR
- Instructor
ASB, Tom Savini’s Special MakeUp Effects, Douglas Education Center
For 15 years, Dejah Gilgour has been the owner and creative force of a custom Halloween prop studio in Pittsburgh called Sapien Studios. She is also known for her work at national and international haunted attractions including Hundred Acres Manor, ScareHouse, and Hysteria Haunted Attraction.
JESSE LECHOK
- INSTRUCTOR
AST, Industrial Design Technology, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh
In addition to teaching and custom prop creation, Jesse Lechok is the owner of Dimension X Studios and an avid musician. His distinguished career portfolio and diverse professional background includes make-up artist work on television series, Mayor of Kingstown and American Rust.
CHRIS PIRT
- Instructor
ASB, Tom Savini’s Special MakeUp Effects, Douglas Education Center
Chris Pirt is a seasoned special make-up effects artist, prop fabricator whose career includes creation and ownership of Demon House, a local haunted attraction, where he has utilized his skills in designing and fabricating immersive creature effects and props.
CODY RUCH
- Instructor
ASB, Tom Savini’s Special MakeUp Effects, Douglas Education Center
Cody Ruch, a horror festival award winner, is an accomplished and skilled practical effects artist with credits on films including Curtains for Christmas , The Boy from Below , and CarousHELL 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Where the work
actually shows up.
- American Horror Story
- The Walking Dead
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Dawn of the Dead
- The Masked Singer
- Dark Shadows
- Friday the 13th
- FaceOff
- Avengers
- Captain America
- X-Men
- Spiderman
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Batman v Superman
- Suicide Squad
You asked.We answered.
What are the admission requirements for this program?
A prospective student seeking admission to Tom Savini’s Special Make-up Effects Program must:
- Be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) Diploma or recognized equivalency certificate.
- Complete an application form and pay a one-time application fee ($50.00) and one-time registration fee ($100.00).
- Request an official high school transcript be sent directly to the Admissions Department.
- Successfully complete the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Examination with a minimum score of 17.
- Sign an Enrollment Agreement.
- Sign the “Student Acknowledgement for Online Education” outlining the technical requirements necessary to enroll in online or hybrid courses.
- Complete the assessment “Are You Ready for Online Education?”
- Complete an “Online Basic Computer Literacy Assessment,” with a minimum passing score of 70%.
How long is the program and what is the schedule?
- Length: 16 months/4 semesters
- Classes typically held Monday-Thursday; 4-6 classes each semester (on-ground, online, & hybrid)
Is financial aid available?
Yes, financial aid is available to those who qualify. Funding options may include federal Title IV aid (such as Pell Grants and Direct Student Loans), Pennsylvania State Grants, Veterans’ Education Benefits, agency-sponsored funding (e.g., Office of Vocational Rehabilitation), institutional and external scholarships, and private financing.
What will I be able to do after I graduate?
Graduates of this program leave with advanced, industry-relevant training in the art of special effects makeup for film, television, and live production environments. Career opportunities include:
- Special Effects Makeup Artist
- Prosthetic Makeup Artist
- Prosthetic Sculptor
- Creature and Character Designer
- Mold Making and Casting Technician
- Prop Fabricator
- Digital Sculptor
- Set Designer
- Theme Park or Haunted Attraction Makeup Artist
- Freelance Special Effects Artist (Film, Television, Theater)
What does a typical class day look like?
Class days vary by course and topic. Some days focus on theory-based classroom learning, while others emphasize hands-on practice and shop experiences to build real-world skills.
Can students work with filmmaking students on real productions?
Yes, collaborating with the filmmaking students is a major part of the hands-on experience here.
Because our Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program and George A. Romero’s Filmmaking Program are located right on the same campus, it is easy for students to connect. Both programs are structured to mimic the real-world employment scenarios you will face in the industry, allowing you to collaborate directly with other creative departments on specific film and video projects throughout your time in the program.
How the Collaboration Works:
- Real Movie Sets: Special effects students are able to design and build custom prosthetics, creatures, and prop effects that feature directly in the film projects written and directed by the filmmaking students.
- Shared Portfolio Building: Special effects students can receive professional, camera-ready video footage of their work under proper studio lighting. At the same time, filmmaking students can receive high-production-value makeups and pieces for their directing reels.
- Cross-Program Projects: Opportunities to team up for collaborative class assignments, local independent film shoots, and official school web series.
What types of make-up effects does this program cover?
Our curriculum covers the entire scope of the physical effects trade through the following core areas:
- Cosmetic Make-Up and Out-of-the-Kit FX: You will start with essential beauty, character, and corrective makeup application before moving directly into straight out-of-the-kit effects. This includes learning how to realistically simulate trauma, bruising, aging, and skin textures using professional paints, waxes, and silicones applied directly onto the skin.
- Prosthetics, Mold Making, and Casting: You will learn the complete pipeline for creating camera-ready transformations and creatures. Training includes life-casting, sculpting details in traditional clay, creating complex multi-piece molds, and casting your pieces in industry-standard materials like foam latex, silicone, and gelatin.
- Digital Sculpting & 3D Printing: Before shifting into large-scale fabrication, you will learn the technological cutting edge of the trade. You will train in digital sculpting using ZBrush, which is an industry-standard 3D modeling software, to design highly detailed characters and maquettes, and learn how to bring those digital creations into reality using 3D printing.
- Exhibit and Display Design: Your lab skills are expanded commercial fabrication. This includes prop making, using shop set-construction tools, toy design, and building physical displays suitable for haunted attractions, theme parks, and museums.
- Specialized Tracks and Classes: Depending on your chosen path in the program, you will also have the opportunity to dive deeper into dedicated subjects like Animatronics, where you will learn the structural side of building mechanical puppets and animatronics; Airbrushing, where you will master high-end painting, texturing, and finishing methods; or Fashion and Performance, which focuses heavily on advanced makeup artistry and styling.
While you’re here:
GEORGE A. ROMERO’S FILMMAKING PROGRAM.
ESTHETICS
PROGRAM.
Spa skincare, facials, and waxing: licensed in six months and into a treatment room.
Ready to
sculpt?
