[ART CLASS CURATOR] 22: Special FX Art Class with Chris Screws

This episode is part of the former Art Class Curator podcast and is targeted specifically for art teachers. 

-

It’s October, so we’re going to get a little spooky! Today’s guest runs his very own haunted house. He takes this unique experience into his classroom by creating a one-of-a-kind special effects class for his high school students. Listen in to today’s show to get inspired to take your unique skills into your classroom.

Show Highlights

• Chris shares details about his career and his current teaching position in Alabama.
• In addition to teaching general art classes, Chris shares about the special effects class he teaches where he incorporates prosthetics, prop-making, set design, make-up application, and costume-making.
• Chris tells about how he allows his students to create their own presentations to showcase in front of judges.
• Chris uses many project-based lessons in preparation for the students’ showcase.
• Learning new process ahead of the students is something Chris shares with us.
• Beginning in October, Chris’ students narrow their focus for the April showcase, including writing proposals and creating characters.
• Students were allowed to develop their characters and ideas for months leading up to the showcase, sometimes in a team situation.
• Chris discusses how he grades students including their active participation.
• Chris shares his pride for how well the students prepared for the showcase last year, including making some very intricate prostheses.
• Students may take the special effects class year after year.
• Chris shares how haunted house design and filmmaking overlap
• Allen Hopps is a YouTube sensation Chris has his students study because of his great tutorials. Stiltbeast Studios
• Todd Debreceni wrote a special effects book Chris uses with his students.
• Chris discusses supplies how supplies are funded.
• Behind the scenes tours vs. going through the haunted house for those afraid
• Chris shares ideas for inexpensive  materials to use with students on a smaller scale. 
• Chris shares how/where he shares his personal love of teaching mask-making.
• Chris shares about the artists who inspired him.

Resources:

Allen Hopps’ YouTube Channel

Todd Debreceni books on Amazon

Monster Clay on Amazon

Insanitarium Haunt

Instagram page

Facebook page

Neal Adams

Rick Baker’s transformation scene from An American Werewolf in London