Winston Effect: The Art and History of Stan Winston Studio

I love this book so much! As an aspiring sfx makeup artist, it is really eye opening to see how The Great Stan Winston came to be. The book has a friendly tone so it is as if Stan himself is talking to the reader and he tells the reader what he’s learned through the mistakes he’s made when working on different projects. A MUST-HAVE for anyone interested in creature fx.

16 years ago as an art student I was studying special effect make up, I had difficulty with an appliance I had an exam due, worried I rang Stan Winston Studio hoping to speak to a technician. Someone answered the phone and asked if they could help, I explained my predicament, for ten minutes I had the technician explain the process and a couple of tips. Really helpful guy so I asked for his name to write and say thanks, He just said Stan, I nearly fell over. My hero talking to me like a friend and helping some poor student.This book represents this man and his work, community he created and his strengths and weaknesses. This is not a book that reads as a infomercial, it is a history warts and all of a fine art studio. Its explains why he would talk to a young student for nearly half an hourI could not put this book down.Last June Stan left us, this book stands as a testament to a great artist.I thoroughly recommend this book for students, and film connoisseurs this is a valuable tome for any technicians library.

This book does not just show the output of Stan Winston's achievements. It allows the reader more of a personal journey with Stan as he created his body of work.One story stood out for me, and this was a thank you letter from a student who had rung up the helpline to get support with his coursework. The operator spent 45 minutes helping, advising and coaching. The student discovered he had been speaking to Stan himself who manned the helpline occasionally despite his lofty stature, because he was a true man of the people.Stan Winston will be sadly missed. A gentleman, a genius and an artisan with both feet on the ground.

Absolutely amazing piece of art and a wonderful record of the life and works of Stan, this will be a permanent fixture to the coffee table and a talking point for all visitors (ok, in our house at least)A must for any film buff, I hadn't initially appreciated quite how many films Stan Winston had made into the masterpieces they are. The images are absolutely stunning.

This is a fantastic book about Stan Winston's studio who have produced some amazing characters and creatures over the years. Stan Winston has sadly passed away but this book, written and available before his death highlights his imagination, knowledge and legacy very well.It has some history about Stan and his life but most importantly the characters his studio produced in glorious pictures and explanitory text. It does not pretend to say that Mr Winston did everything himself, it showcases the talented people he chose for his studio and goes indepth to their talents.There are also short contributions from directors such as James Cameron and various actors.It is a luxury book, great glossy pages and a talking point if you show it off to fellow special effects fans.