Lainey Auwarter

I am a special effects artist who recently graduated from UNCSA studying special effects/production design. I am learning about makeup, prosthetics, prop-making, digital effects, fabrication, and more. 

Growing up I always had a fascination for the macabre and found beauty in the monsters that others feared. As a teenager I saw a show at Universal Studios about special effects makeup, I realized that is what I wanted to pursue. I started making masks in high school and creating films with my friends. I spent many hours sculpting creatures of my own design, and found happiness in sharing my ideas and passions with others.  I find inspiration by recognizing the beauty in everything, whether its fantasy or something sinister. 

I started working at Blue Ridge Nightmares last year and greatly enjoyed the process of making people scared. It's a very rewarding feeling to bring out any heightened emotion in someone else. I loved the process of making props and learning more about special effects makeup. My future career goals include enhancing my skills and knowledge of the craft of special effects and to entertain people through impacting an emotional response.