Teaching the skills and knowledge that are valued and expected by employers in today’s film and entertainment industries is our business, and we’re expert at it.
We’ve worked with colleges and universities for 25+ years to help them align their teaching with industry practice, and get the best results for their students with the resources they have.
This work is led by Neill Gorton, whose distinguished industry career, vast teaching experience, and academic profile – including an honorary fellowship, visiting professorship, and honorary doctorate – make him uniquely placed to help education providers offer effective teaching that’s efficiently designed, industry aware, and vocationally driven.
We provide online learning and research content for students and tutors in two ways: Neill’s online courses that teach prosthetics and makeup effects step-by-step, and the Prosthetics Magazine digital library with its wealth of searchable specialist content to inform practical and written work.
Neill also collaborates with education providers to advise on all aspects of course delivery including curriculum, facilities, procurement, and health & safety.
Our education sector clients include these institutions, plus many more.
Compelling, accessible, and always technically accurate, Neill’s online courses are ideal for supplementing lessons, filling teaching gaps, staff training, and CPD. Each comprehensive course comprises individual video lessons delivered in a clear demonstration format with content that’s easy to follow, suitable for all skill levels, and available on-demand.
23 full-colour issues of superb educational and research material by and about the international film industry’s leading artists and their work, plus in-depth technical tutorials, and advice from industry leaders. Available 24/7, this collection of high-end publications forms a timeless and vital 2,000+ page research tool for learning and citation in written work.
Neill’s decades of involvement in education have seen prosthetics and makeup effects move from having little representation in further and higher education, to featuring heavily in a large number of courses.
His consultations help bridge the gap between education and industry to produce employment-ready graduates, with guidance ranging from brief advice on individual issues, to playing an intrinsic part in increasing the quality and profile of key HE courses. Neill also devised the concept and practical curriculum for the UK’s leading master’s degree in the subject at Falmouth University, the UK’s No. 1 Arts University in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.
Supplying as much of the information requested as possible will allow us to propose an approach to your consultation and provide you with a basic quote.
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Each one is different and therefore needs an individual quote. The variables are the scope of the consultation brief, the location and length of a site visit, how much follow-up work and research are necessary, and how involved the report-writing is.
Yes! Neill does all consultations for education providers.
If you require help with arranging your teaching space or reviewing your facilities a site visit may well be needed, otherwise consultations can be done over Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
If you have a budget to work to, Neill will tailor this process to suit your budget, if you don’t have one, the cost is handled as follows:
Online-only consultations: You pay for an initial 8 hours of work during which Neill has a comprehensive online discussion with you to gather as much information as possible and do any necessary reading along with his own research if required. He then uses the remainder of the 8 hours for further work if needed – online discussions with other relevant staff at your institution for example – or to begin writing your consultation report.
Sometimes it’s possible to complete the report within the 8 hours, but if time beyond that is required, we will inform you at this stage how much extra time is needed. This time is always kept to a minimum and is paid for by the hour.
Alternatively, the cost of the 8 hours can be treated as a fixed price and Neill will provide what’s possible within that time.
Consultations that include a site visit: This starts with the site visit, which we work with you to arrange at a time when all the relevant staff at your institution are available, so Neill can cover as much as possible while he’s there. This is followed by the standard 8 hours of follow-up work and research as necessary, and report writing. Often 8 hours is sufficient for this after a site visit, but if extra time is required, we will notify you at this stage and additional hours are paid for hourly.
Alternatively, the cost of the 8 follow-up hours after the site visit can be treated as a fixed price and Neill will provide what’s possible within that time.
Yes, for Neill’s time, and his travel and accommodation, which also needs to be booked by the client.
Neill aims to provide the report as quickly as possible, usually within two weeks, but his time is subject to non-negotiable, last-minute changes in film and TV production schedules, so sometimes it can take a little longer.
It’s extremely difficult to make the logistics of such courses work with Neill’s industry commitments, so technically the answer is no. Please feel free to contact us to see if we can fit something in for you however, but in the knowledge that availability is always very restricted, so regrettably it often isn’t possible.
Didn’t find the answer? Find more FAQs here.
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.”