I know. Dumb title, but as you can see from the images here, it fits.
These photos were made for students in Cypress College’s theater prosthetics class, taught by Paul Hadobas. Paul, chipper, experienced, and thorough, is a model of great teaching. I teach in the Art Department, and Paul teaches in the Theater Department, but because Cypress College is doing seismic upgrades to its art building, we got placed in temporary classrooms next to each other last semester (spring 2024). When I saw what his students were doing, and what dedication he brought to his classes, I knew I’d need to step my game up as a teacher—and that I’d love to photograph his students’ work.
On the last day of the semester, each of his students carried out a full prosthetic treatment on real-life models (patient friends and family members). I asked them why all of their final projects were scary looking characters, and “Why are there not any friendly looking elves or cheerful warlocks?” They said: “Ummm. Well. These just look cooler, dude.”
The creativity of this world is rich; I got a clearer idea of what a broadway or movie production must really look like “bts.” Paul, of course, had myriad pro tips and answers to all student quandaries as the students sought to perfect their work before it went before the camera, but the students’ desire to push their own limits was inspiring.
Paul Hadobas, Cypress College, 2024