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 FX art class for his high school students. Listen in to today’s show to get inspired to take your unique skills into the 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.

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Please note, this post includes Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 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