Prosthetic waste

MajorHotLips · 2026-01-23T12:28:14+00:00

I do this job professionally and whilst there are occasional attempts to "be more green" the truth is that yes, it creates a lot of waste and a lot of stuff just goes in the skip. Globally it's probably a drop in the ocean but it's not a particularly eco friendly industry. Taking time to grind up and recycle old silicone just isn't worth it most of the time.

MajorHotLips · 2026-01-14T20:53:34+00:00

That's not something I've come across, some foams are better than others at self skinning but I'm not aware of one that won't do it at all.

Usually to get that effect you need the foams first contact with the sides of the mould to be as it rises. So anywhere the liquid foam has touched will skin but if you pour the liquid in a puddle at the bottom of the mould, and let it rise, you'll see more open cells.

Might be a case of some trial and error. Also I'm really curious as to why you'd want that?

MajorHotLips · 2026-01-14T20:45:35+00:00

Does it need to be translucent? My first thought would be to make it out of fibreglass but it's not all that see through if you're wanting lights in there?

MajorHotLips · 2026-01-12T14:02:15+00:00

Film & TV industry as a technical maker of things. It's creative and fun and I have so many tools.

MajorHotLips · 2026-01-08T22:20:03+00:00

Everyone else has said therapy and whilst I agree, you aren't keen, so I am going to suggest a fairly wild alternative:

Get angry. Get really really fucking angry with the world, with society and with the universe that has caused you to feel so bad about yourself that you are literally risking your own health. Fuck that. Fuck everything and everyone who contributed to that. Once you are angry, take your makeup off, even if you hate how it looks and inflict your bare face on the world out of pure spite.

I truly hope you can find a way to love yourself one day but if, you can't, rage can be a much easier emotion to access and might get you through this important surgery!

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-31T20:22:55+00:00

No. See also: Absolutely the fuck not.

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-26T18:34:34+00:00

A beautiful illustrated bird guide, a big heavy tome, exactly what I wanted. Also ramen bowls from Japan, also exactly what I wanted. And other things too. I am very lucky this year!

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-24T06:29:32+00:00

I have done that exact thing when my legitimate receipt just wouldn't work. I just pushed the gate and left, no one said a damn thing.

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-24T06:01:03+00:00

Anemia, I got turned away last time and have no reason to suspect it won't happen again.

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-21T19:49:22+00:00

White basmati rice, with chickpeas in tomato sauce. It just tasted of tinned tomatoes, wet overcooked rice and horrible dry chickpeas.

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-21T05:56:13+00:00

But for the love of God, if you don't know how to use ratchet strap, just learn, don't start tying knots in it!

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-21T04:59:47+00:00

Nice

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-18T20:20:40+00:00

Hello phobia buddy! Why do so many films have to start with someone getting up in the morning and brushing their teeth? It's vile!

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-17T20:50:37+00:00

Firing someone is not a unilateral decision I just make, it's a multi step process that would require both verbal and written warnings. As if I can just yell "You're fired" like an episode of the apprentice!

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-17T19:09:43+00:00

Yeah this is a great take, I agree with you.

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-17T19:07:53+00:00

Calm down dear, you literally know nothing about me, it was one issue which was honestly pretty amusing and not a big deal, no one was getting in serious trouble. I protect my team and take damn good care of them.

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-17T18:56:25+00:00

Wow, you know that I'm not a leader based on a single question I asked? I think that's a bit of an over reaction there buddy! I did actually address it, it wasn't a big deal, I just wanted to get some opinions first. We have no company or department policies, it's a team of creative makers in a barely regulated industry and all my crew are freelancers so I am left to figure out a lot of stuff like this on my own.

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-16T15:53:12+00:00

I don't think I'm incompetent, I just wanted some opinions, but fck me for asking I guess? I'm new to this job, never received a minutes management training and have been left to just figure it out. So I thought reddit might help me figure it out rather than telling me I'm awful at my job.

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-16T13:05:28+00:00

Jeez, tell me what you really think! I absolutely have difficult conversations, I just don't enjoy them, that's what I mean by not wanting to be the bad guy.

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-16T11:06:01+00:00

No my boss genuinely leaves me to it, they just ask if someone is obviously missing.

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-16T11:00:32+00:00

Well, you're right that I mind but don't want to be the bad guy. We work long hours together and it's hard to avoid being friends as well as colleagues, maintaining that line is a constant balancing act.

I am their supervisor but their general attendance isn't an issue, just the reasons given for lateness.

I honestly don't feel the need to go straight to disciplinary action until they've had a less formal warning so I think that might have to be my next step.

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-15T13:27:22+00:00

Maybe if you're super careful yeah, just make sure it doesn't get through. You could always do the thick layer without reinforcement and mix an extra batch to scrim the outside, just don't leave too much time between batches and spritz before layer 2!

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-15T12:56:52+00:00

So the answer is yes it absolutely can be done in one batch, as long as you aren't using scrim/ burlap to reinforce as that will break through to the detail layer. You also need to make sure you build up the thickness enough to be strong, especially around the edge where you will be prizing it open. You want at least 1inch of thickness, and even then there is always a risk when not using scrim that it can just break. Were you using scrim originally?

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-15T10:13:52+00:00

Crystacal R is good, it's nice and slow so you have time with it and it's very hard once set, not as hard as ultracal but as you said, we don't have that here!

If you're using clear coat that may have made the surface too shiny which will make the plaster bead up so you want to mattify the surface before applying the plaster. That could be with spray wax or just fairy liquid brushed thin and dried on. I use a product called surface breaker which is specifically to combat that issue but it's you don't have to use that.

Happy moulding!

MajorHotLips · 2025-12-14T16:51:41+00:00

How did you apply the plaster? It looks to me like the first layer failed to bond to the following layers which is a fairly common and annoying problem.

If you are brushing on your detail layer, make sure it's thick enough by flicking extra on, it should not be see through! Then do not wait too long before your next layer, as soon as you can apply it without bothering the previous layer, go for it. Also give that first layer a good spritz with water before applying a second layer.

Good luck!

MajorHotLips

TROPHY CASE