Gorton Studio: TV and Film special effects make-up and prosthetics studio

Cornwall based and internationally acclaimed prosthetics designer Neill Gorton is facilitating access to his expertise in creating special effects make-up and prosthetics, through a new series of online films and tutorials.

Neill has a 30-year track record in the TV and film industry and is well known for pioneering the use of new materials and techniques. He has created an array of extraordinary characters and special effects make-up for numerous TV series and films such as Doctor Who, Being Human, Call the Midwife and the recently released “All is True” directed by Kenneth Branagh. A great advocate for sharing his skills, Neill is also the Director of Gorton Studio, one of Europe’s most regarded screen prosthetics school, with students from all over the world, including Peru, Canada and India coming to train in Cornwall. Initially based in Falmouth, the company which currently employs five members of staff and a number of freelance tutors, has recently relocated to larger premises in Redruth to keep pace with the growth of the business and includes a dedicated filming studio.

As the world is increasingly shifting towards online learning, more people are looking to train remotely.  Gorton Studio is adapting to this shift by focusing on developing a new and more comprehensive range of online courses and tutorials which are filmed and edited in their studio in Redruth. Through Cultivator, a programme funded by European Regional Development Fund specifically supporting the development of the creative businesses in Cornwall, the company secured a grant of £4000 to invest in two new cameras, some lenses and lighting equipment. Laura Giles, their Creative Business Advisor at Cultivator said “After looking at the proposed new offering in the context of the Gorton Studio brand and the competition, we identified that due to the high definition and level of precision demonstrated in the videos and the market they need to appeal to, the company would really benefit from investing in better quality filming equipment, so I encouraged them to apply to one of our grants.”

Neill Gorton said “Receiving support from Cultivator has been invaluable. Our new online courses are a major investment in time, energy and money for our company, so some help is very welcome. The equipment we purchased with the grant has had an instant impact on the quality of our videos and helped us to be more efficient in our filming; increasing our confidence in being competitive within the film industry at the international level.’

Gorton Studio has just launched its new website and aims to get the first series of their new tutorials online by the Autumn to coincide with the start of the new academic year. As more videos are being created, the tutorials will cover a range of skills and techniques suitable for people wishing to start a career in the prosthetics and special effects make-up for film and TV, as well as professionals looking to improve upon their skills. Lecturers will also be supported in delivering industry-relevant courses at universities and colleges. Neill added “we are very excited to launch our new website, it features individual tutorials as well as an extensive range of our latest videos available through subscriptions for individuals and training schools”

For more information on Gorton studio’s workshops and online tutorials visit www.gortonstudio.co.uk/