Siloe Brown, Contributing Writer
In the fall, the world of special effects makeup takes center stage in Richmond, where artists can show off technical skills in true Halloween spirit.
SFX is an art form that uses makeup and prosthetics to create convincing tricks of the eye. It is prevalent in show business, using makeup, props and moving elements to better immerse viewers in a film, music video or magazine imagery.
Red Vein Army
Founded by Ryan Sligh, Red Vein Army is an artist collective in Richmond that has haunted the community for the past 15 years.
Sligh and his team work to make their productions as memorable as they are terrifying. He said his love for creating began as a child building haunted houses in his parents’ basement, but he did not pursue SFX as a career until 2011 when he received his first opportunity.
Sligh’s first haunt was Scares That Care in Williamsburg, a nonprofit charity organization that raises money to help children in need. It assists with the living and medical expenses of burn survivors and breast cancer patients by hosting events and auctions centered around horror.
Sligh said the experience solidified his passion to create the Red Vein Army in Richmond.
“I’ve had failures, but I’ve been able to talk to mentors and get the best advice and keep pushing forward,” Sligh said.
Red Vein Army occupies Hanover Vegetable Farm, creating different haunted Halloween themes each season, according to a previous report by the CT.
Turning a love of gore into art
Rem Linton is a makeup artist specializing in visuals for short films, music videos and photoshoots. For the past five years, Linton has created looks for the Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion.
“I didn’t really know anything about special effects other than face painting,” Linton said. “They taught me everything I know.”
Linton’s skills have now expanded to more complicated forms, like airbrushing, to create realistic-looking wounds.
“I really like dark fantasy and I love anything gore,” Linton said. “We always like to say that the best compliment is, ‘Wow, that looks disgusting.’”
Sev Gedra is the lead fabricator and department head of specialty fabrications for New Project, a fabrication and design firm in Brooklyn, New York. Gedra, based in Richmond, splits her time between the two cities.
Gedra studied studio art and art history at the University of Maryland, but her career in SFX began in the haunted house business, where she learned the basics through trial and error alongside YouTube tutorials and hours of dedication.
Gedra blends her knowledge of art and practical effects to create elaborate costumes and props as well as makeup.
“There is an interdisciplinary nature of SFX that is so fascinating to me,” Gedra said. “When you start to incorporate puppetry and components that move, there’s this whole other layer of creating an illusion.”
Gedra’s work history spans across industries, from Sephora to metal shops, where she honed various skills including sculpture, foam fabrication and molding.
The field of SFX can be difficult to break into and find a niche for artists beginning to develop their craft, Gedra said.
Breaking into the SFX industry and finding a niche can be challenging for emerging artists, Gedra said. She said leaning on a community can make all the difference while developing a craft.