Special effects makeup artists need all the same skills and abilities as their more conventional makeup artist brothers and sisters, including a background in cosmetology and extensive knowledge of makeup materials. However, they also need an education in other materials such as latex, rubber, fake blood, and other materials that will be used to create realistic-looking prosthetics; realism is the goal of all special effects makeup artists. Because their subjects will spend hours upon hours in the makeup chair being transformed into orcs, vampires, zombies, special effects makeup artists need great communication skills to go along with their artistry and creative solutions.Long hours on set and making actors feel comfortable during the eight hours in the makeup chair are just a couple of the tasks you’ll face, but the rest of the job will be spent making artifice look natural.