FX Masters: Dick Smith

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If you're a fan of FX makeup surely you know the magnificent work of make-up artist Dick Smith, recognized worldwide for being the makeup artist who transformed Linda Blair for the film "The Exorcist"; but his contribution to the world of makeup is far beyond that and that’s why I want to review the history of one of the great masters of FX: Dick Smith.

Photo: The Guardian

Biography

Dick was born in New York in 1922. According to his own words he wasn’t a good artist as a child, but this changed later, when as a teenager he had his first approach to characterization. When he saw the movie "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1939) he decided to transform himself in the main character.

However, it was while studying dentistry at Yale University when Dick finally began experimenting with makeup more seriously when he bought the book "Paint, Powder and Makeup", from that moment he knew what his true vocation was and practiced FX makeup on himself and his college classmates, inspired by monster movies from Universal.

After World War II, Smith decided to abandon his college career and devote himself entirely to makeup, so he applied to work as a makeup artist on NBC.

Photo: EW

Career in makeup

After a successful career in television makeup, Dick begins to stand out with his makeup abilities in the film industry. His first film was "Requiem for a Heavyweight", but it’s from the 70’s when his career as an FX makeup artist begins to ascent with a dramatic characterization for the movie "Little Big Man", which transforms a young Dustin Hoffman into a 121 year old man.

Photo: Pinterest

After this work, Smith was summoned to make an aging makeup for Marlon Brando in "The Godfather", consolidating him as one of the best special effects makeup artists of his time.

Photo: Tested

His consecration came with the film "The Exorcist" where Dick used his knowledge not only to transform Linda Blair into a possessed girl, but also to achieve various effects (mechanical dummy that turns it’s head, lacerations in skin, vomiting, the phrase in the stomach, among others). To achieve the damaged appearance of the protagonist there were done about 10 makeup tests before getting the result that the director was looking for.

Photo: Visualeffectssociety

One of the jobs that went unnoticed in "The Exorcist" was the aging makeup of  the character Father Merrin (Max Von Sydow). Dick is a specialist in aging makeup, one of the most difficult techniques to achieve for a makeup artist.

Photo: Reddit

In the following images you can see other works of Dick Smith:

Aging makeup for David Bowie in the movie "The Hunger"

Photo: Beautyrival

Dick Smith on the set of Ghost Story

Photo: Pinterest

A master in aging makeup techniques

Photo: Pinterest

Abraham F.Murray's makeup for the film "Amadeus"

Photo: Pinterest

"There should be no secrets for those who really want to learn"

Through his long career Dick Smith has been the primary inspiration for FX makeup artists worldwide, not only for his great work, but for his generosity in sharing his knowledge, because as he himself said "there should be no secrets for those who really want to learn".

Thanks to his work, the FX makeup had a positive revolution in film and today there are a lot of artists who want to follow his footsteps in the film industry.

Foto: Washingtonpost

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Until the next post!