DOUGLAS EDUCATION CENTER CEO/PRESIDENT JEFF IMBRESCIA INDUCTED INTO MONESSEN WALL OF FAME
October 14, 2024
Special Make-Up Effects Program in Western Pennsylvania
TOM SAVINI’S SPECIAL MAKE-UP EFFECTS PROGRAM
ASSOCIATE IN SPECIALIZED BUSINESS DEGREE 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.
Douglas Education Center offers students the opportunity to receive an associate’s degree in special make-up effects. Here, students learn a diverse range of skills in special make-up effects, including the science behind creating camera-ready looks, sculpting and mold making, airbrushing techniques, prosthetic make-up, prop making, digital sculpting, eyes and teeth and more.
In addition, students in our special make-up effects program can also collaborate with students from George A. Romero’s filmmaking program. This allows students to learn how to work efficiently with other filmmaking roles to ensure everyone’s vision comes across on the screen.
Changing Lives EVERY DAY!
EMPLOYERS OF DEC GRADS INCLUDE:
ADI Legacy Effects
Quantum Creation Effects
Alliance Studios
Robert Curtzman’s Creature Corps
Tinsley Studios
Fractured Effects
Vincent Guastini Productions
Spectral Motion
Immortal Masks
Burman Industries
KNB Effects Group
Maverick Dental Laboratory
McFarlane Toys
MTV / BET
Quantum Creation Effects
Alliance Studios
Robert Curtzman’s Creature Corps
Tinsley Studios
Fractured Effects
Vincent Guastini Productions
Spectral Motion
Immortal Masks
Burman Industries
KNB Effects Group
Maverick Dental Laboratory
McFarlane Toys
MTV / BET
Saturday Night Live
Smithsonian Institute
Spector Studios
Schell Studios
Touch Bionics Living Skin (Prosthetics Lab)
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights
Albensi Dental Labs
Life’s a Beach, Inc.
Renaissance Faire
Trick or Treat Studios
Scallon Studios
MAC Cosmetics
Smithsonian Institute
Spector Studios
Schell Studios
Touch Bionics Living Skin (Prosthetics Lab)
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights
Albensi Dental Labs
Life’s a Beach, Inc.
Renaissance Faire
Trick or Treat Studios
Scallon Studios
MAC Cosmetics
THE LEGENDARY TOM SAVINI
Godfather of Gore. The Sultan of Splatter. No matter the label, Tom Savini is a legend in the world of special make-up effects. His work revolutionized the horror genre. From Dawn of the Dead and Friday the 13th to Monkey Shines and Creepshow, Savini’s influence in the special make-up effects industry is profound.
“If you’re thinking about coming to Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program just STOP. Stop THINKING about it and just DO it. Aren’t we talking about making your dreams come true? Our students’ attitude is ‘This is school?’… because they are having so much fun every day doing what they love… and… they get a degree!” – Tom Savini
Hands-On Experience
Throughout our program, students will take part in smaller-sized classrooms, making education more personalized and thorough. As part of the program students will also have an opportunity to design and create film quality effects in a simulated shop environment in the class Page To Screen! Students learn the value of time management and working under deadlines to create desired results.
To see some of our past students’ work, visit our gallery.
Graduate Success
At Douglas Education Center, we dedicate ourselves to assisting students in finding the right career path for them. That’s why we offer the tools and resources students in this field need to stand out and become successful. Using our professional photo studio, students develop a portfolio that features some of their best work and skillsets. This will show future employers your best skills, improvements, and qualities of your work that stand out from the rest.
Past graduates have gone on to work at many widely-known companies, including:
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In addition, many of our graduates have gone on to compete on Face-Off, a television show that showcases the skills of some of the best special make-up effects artists from all over the country. Other alumni have also had the opportunity to work on-set on some widely-popular movies in Hollywood.
About Tom Savini and Our Faculty
Tom Savini, otherwise known as the “Godfather of Gore,” is a well-known stuntman, special make-up effects artist, actor, and director born in Pittsburgh, PA. He has worked on some of the most classic horror movies, including Dawn of the Dead, Friday the 13th, Monkey Shines, and Creepshow. His unique perspective and partnership with George A. Romero have revolutionized the horror genre, making Savini a legend in the world of special make-up effects. Getting back to his roots, Savini collaborated with Douglas Education Center to help launch our special make-up effects program in October 2000. With a passion for assisting students in developing the skills they need to become successful, Savini shares his expertise in his incredible blood and gore effects.
For more information about our special make-up effects school in Western PA, contact Douglas Education Center today.
FACULTY
CLICK TO EXPAND
+ Jerry Gergely, Director
Silence of the Lambs – The Dark Half – Ragdoll
Night of the Living Dead (1990) – Flesheater
My Bloody Valentine 3D – Being John Malkovich
Babylon 5 – Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The X-Files
Roswell – Charmed
+ Dejah Gilgour
Hundred Acres Manor Haunted Attraction
Scarehouse Haunted Attraction
Hysteria Haunted Attraction
A.S.B., Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects, Douglas Education Center
+ Jo Holland
• Face Off : Season 1 & 13
• Star Wars Mandalorian : Season 1
• Insidious 2
• Avengers : End Game
• Captain Marvel
• David Bowie : The Next Day
• Disneyland: Star Wars Land
• Universal Studios : Pet’s 2
A.S.B., Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects, Douglas Education Center
+ Chris Pirt
Demon House : Owner/operator
FrightProps : Prop builder/fabricator
Boss productions : Prop builder
Loaded dice
Tom Savini’s Chill factor
A.S.B., Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects, Douglas Education Center
+ Cody Ruch
The Conduit – Short Film
Phantom Fun-World – Feature
Firewatch – Feature
CarousHELL 1&2 – Feature
The Hunted – Short Film
Beast of the Water – Feature
The Chop – Feature
All Saints Eve – Feature
A.S.B., Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects, Douglas Education Center
