Neill is a multi-award-winning screen prosthetics designer with 13 major awards including BAFTA and Royal Television Society gongs. He has worked with directors such as Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, and Ron Howard, on famous faces like Sir Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp, and Lady Gaga, and his film credits include Saving Private Ryan, From Hell and John Wick: Chapter 4. He has worked on countless TV shows including Tales from the Crypt, Watchmen, and Foundation, created comedy characters for the likes of Catherine Tate, French and Saunders, David Walliams and Matt Lucas, and iconic theatre characters such as The Phantom of the Opera.
He’s probably best known for his work on Doctor Who, designing all the monsters and makeup FX from its 2005 re-launch until taking a break in 2020. He’s now back heading up the prosthetics, working with Russel T Davies and other department heads from the original re-launch crew.
Neill is also a renowned teacher. He opened Gorton Studio in 2003, setting the standard for industry-relevant training in Europe, providing the foundation for many successful careers, and teaching numerous tutors from other institutions.
He has taught extensively around the world, and now focuses on online and postgraduate level teaching. In the academic arena, he is Visiting Professor of Special Effects at the University of Bolton, an Arts University Bournemouth Honorary Fellow, and Doctor of Innovation at the University of Bolton (2017), in recognition of his contribution to special effects.
In 1999, Neill founded film industry prosthetics and makeup FX company Millennium FX, which is now one of the largest companies of its kind in Europe. With co-directors Rob Mayor and Kate Walshe alongside him, and the industry’s best designers, artists and technicians, the company has created work for countless productions from major studio features including The Wolfman, Gravity, and Victor Frankenstein, to acclaimed television productions such as Red Dwarf, Doctor Who, The Witcher, and Peaky Blinders, and iconic theatre shows like Love Never Dies and Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
Nearly 40 years in the film industry means there’s not much Neill doesn’t know about his subject. From self-teaching in his parents’ shed at 12, to Hollywood at 17, and department head on a Steven Spielberg movie at 26, he was quick off the mark in his chosen career and hasn’t slowed down since.
Industry informing academia is essential in a subject like prosthetics, so while continuing with his busy career and existing academic roles, in 2020 Neill launched a master’s degree in partnership with Falmouth University. At the forefront of education in prosthetics, this course was the first to teach the hybrid skill set of traditional and digital techniques that’s fast becoming standard across the international film industry.
Film is a fast-moving industry and advances in technology make for exciting changes in how its prosthetics artists and departments approach their workflow.
As a business partner in MA Prosthetic Effects at Falmouth University’s School of Film and Television, Neill devised the course concept that combines digital and practical prosthetics skills, to mirror the developing practice that’s fast becoming standard across the international industry. It’s also the only place he now teaches in person!
Casualty and horror effects look dramatic, but they’re relatively easy to execute, and therefore don’t show the solid technical and artistic skills employers need. Blood also obscures the look of prosthetics, so it can be hard to assess someone’s ability from this kind of work.
Understanding anatomy is hugely important. Prosthetics designers creating even the most fantastical beings draw inspiration from real anatomy to produce convincing creatures. You’ll find inexpensive anatomy books for artists in bookshops or look for a life study class to join.
Design and pre-visualisation work is done with software such as Adobe Photoshop, GIMP and Pro Create to manipulate photos and create artwork from the ‘ground up’. 3D software like Z-Brush, Blender, and Nomad are used for 3D sculpting, and 3D scanning and printing are also now widely used.
The film industry functions in a unique way and is essentially a freelance world. Employed positions in prosthetics are rare, so understanding what it means to be a freelance artist, with the insecurity that can bring, will help you decide whether the lifestyle is for you.
The fundamentals of animatronics are engineering skills and mechanical knowhow: levers, gears, pulleys, etc. These basic engineering principles are the same wherever they’re applied and are the foundations on which animatronics skills are built. Learning animatronics isn’t straightforward, however. Find ways to approach it here.
The industry isn’t specific to London, but the number of opportunities is greater where the most productions are taking place, so living out in the regions will be limiting when you’re starting out. Productions shoot all over the place, however, so once you’ve established yourself, you can live where you like and travel to the work.
No. Instagram is adequate to show your work, but set up a dedicated account, so it’s not mixed with personal pics. Use your own name (with FX after it if you like) rather than inventing a name which can be counterproductive if potential employers can’t find you.
Use our sitewide search to find specific content: search for movies, actors, FX artists, companies, authors, materials, techniques and more.
ONLINE COURSES
“I am definitely very happy with my subscription and grateful to have easy access to online affordable learning. The videos are super clear, easy to understand, great camera angles, we can see in detail what is being done, and your explanations cover all your hand moves and great hints. And the download transcripts are brilliant and to be able to print them and go back to them whenever needed. These videos and transcripts are excellent.”
PROSTHETICS MAGAZINE
“It’s the single best publication that focuses on prosthetic makeup. Every issue is a knockout.”
MASTER’S DEGREE
“I wanted to thank you for all the support and help throughout this amazing academic year. The immense amount of knowledge I gathered this year is unparalleled and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity.”
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
“SFX pioneers don’t come more experienced or diverse than Neill Gorton. Not only is his experience in the SFX industry as comprehensive as it gets, but his clear passion for sharing his experience, talent and common-sense approach is a rare and gracious one.”
DICK SMITH: THE GODFATHER OF MAKEUP
“If you haven’t already ordered it do so now and quickly. The complete history in text, photo and anecdote of one of the greatest Makeup Artists to ever live. A Superlative work.”
“All my prosthetics skills and knowledge are due to the Gorton Studio Online Courses. They were so resourceful…my skills have improved a lot, which has strengthened my work portfolio, and I am getting hired on great projects. All credit to Neill Gorton and the knowledge he has shared in his online classes.”
“Best mag on earth!”
“Brad and Neill, I wanted to let you both know that you have absolutely changed my life – coming onto this course was the best decision I’ve ever made. You have both been an endless source of inspiration throughout the year, while de-mystifying processes I never thought I would learn… my brain has exploded with new ideas, and I feel like I finally have direction. I am a huge advocate of you both & the course and your work. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“I have recently purchased access to your online courses. I wish to thank you for providing these videos. These have been the best I have seen online and are such an asset to me and fantastic value. I’ve never reached out to an online provider to compliment them, so this just shows how impressed I am!”
“A must read. Best magazine in the trade, hands down!”
“Neill and Brad, I have just been reflecting upon the last year and how amazing the opportunity to study with you was…thank you. It has been a pleasure to have studied under you, and I have taken away so much from the year. Both of you were fantastic tutors, and always so patient!”
“Neill Gorton and his amazing team came up with a prosthetics module for us and the students always engage with every aspect of it. Gorton Studio instils the highest technical, creative and professional standards.”
“No one has contributed more to the art of movie makeup and makeup effects than the Godfather of makeup Dick Smith. This book takes an in depth look at his career, his extensive technical innovations, and why he still inspires generations of professional makeup artists all over the world. For anyone interested in movie makeup this book is a must have.”
“These courses are fantastic! For someone who is new to prosthetics Neill provides a clear path from idea to final product. It’s great to have online prosthetics courses based in the UK, as the materials are far easier to obtain.”
“This magazine is beyond what I hoped it would include, from hints and tips to life stories.”
“Coming onto the Prosthetics MA has been a really positive experience, it’s allowed me to refocus my career prospects towards something I’ve always wanted to get into! My best takeaways from the course are the friends and connections I have made and learned from throughout the year and hope to work with in the future in industry.”
“Love the new service Neill!!! I’ve been watching the online lessons and like your magazine articles, I learn more each time I watch and read. Greetings from the USA.”
“Love this magazine, it has many helpful articles and tutorials!”
“My time on the MA Prosthetic Effects course was fantastic, and throughout the year and its three projects I was able to build a diverse portfolio and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career in the effects industry. Coming from BA(Hons) Film, the course and its tutors enabled me to turn my interests into reality and gave me the confidence I needed to achieve my personal and academic goals. I would recommend the course to anyone who would like to do the same.”
“Neill is an outstanding teacher; he took us through the important areas we needed to know about, including the importance of understating the materials. He is a fountain of knowledge and gave us so many tips on all aspects of the industry. He really built our confidence and gave us an excellent foundation to work from.”
“Outstanding service, great book, highly recommend.”