Video

The Art of Practical Special Effects in Movies, with Dan Martin

Words by Adam Woodward

Watch Ben Wheatley’s go-to prosthetic effects artist reveal the secrets of his craft.

Have you ever sat through the end credits of a movie and wondered, ‘What does that person’s job actually entail?’ We have – which is why we’re putting some of the talented movie folk who work tirelessly behind the scenes in the spotlight as part of a new video series.

First up is prosthetics effects artist Dan Martin, who has lent his unique set of skills to over 60 film and TV productions, including Ben Wheatley’s A Field in England, High-Rise and Free Fire.

At his workshop in southwest London, Martin showed us some of the weird, wonderful and downright disturbing props that he’s been asked to make over the years, from bullet wound moulds to a severed pig’s head to a blood-spurting prosthetic penis for Steve Oram’s Aaaaaaaah!

After you’ve given the video a watch, we’d love to hear your suggestions for which below-the-line professions we should profile in future ‘Credit Role’ videos. Get in touch @LWLies

Free Fire is in cinemas 31 March. Check out the LWLies Recommends review and read more in our Free Fire print issue.

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