Fund This: Step Inside The ‘Mad Monster Lab’ For Gory, Old School Makeup Effects

Welcome to the Fund This column! Each week, we’ll look at a planned web series or other online video project currently in search of funding on crowdfunding sites. We’ll tell you what the series is all about and explain why it is worth your money. Do you have a project that’s currently being crowdfunded? Contact us to let us know and we may feature it in upcoming installments and check out previous installments right here.

Project Name: The Mad Monster Lab

Asking For: $16,700 through Kickstarter

Amount Raised Thus Far (At Time Of Post): $784

Days Remaining In Campaign (At Time Of Post): 28

Description: Forget CG — when you need a great bit of special effects, you can’t go wrong with a bit of red paint and some corn syrup. Such is the brand of special effects taught Ralis Khan, a movie makeup expert who is seeking funds to support the second season of his web series The Mad Monster Lab.

Khan began posting Mad Monster Lab episodes on YouTube six years ago and is now looking to make more. In his videos, he displays his known for hand-crafted effects, ranging from monster makeup to blood splatters to dripping wounds. The goal is to provide a valuable educational tool for aspiring filmmakers. “We made the show to help makeup artists, indie film makers, and haunters learn how to do Hollywood-level effects,” reads the Kickstarter page. “And some people just watch for fun!”

The fun can be seen in Khan’s pitch video, which shows off the theatricality of his work and the brilliance of his effects. Check it out:

Creator Bio: Khan has more than 25 years of experience in Hollywood. His credits include TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.

Best Perk: Anyone who contributes at least $50 will receive a note from Khan, which he will compose while drinking absinthe. Legibility not guaranteed.

Why You Should Fund It: Episodes of The Mad Monster Lab go far beyond typical tutorials. Khan is undoubtedly an expert at his craft, but his videos shine because he himself is a unique character whose on-screen presence includes wild gesticulations and pulpy demonstrations of the effects he creates. Fund his work, and you’ll receive a fun inside look at the world of Hollywood makeup. And who knows, you might just learn something too.

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