A Master of Monster Makeup

Zombies, werewolves and dismembered corpses are just a day at the office for makeup and special effects artist Andre Freitas.

Special effects designer Andre Freitas at his studio in Marietta, Ga. (Erik S. Lesser / For The Washington Post)

Freitas with the cast of the head of a 24-foot dinosaur he built for the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. (Erik S. Lesser / For The Washington Post)

Freitas designed the makeup to fatten up and feminize Martin Lawrence, right, in ‘Big Momma’s House 3: Like Father Like Son.’ (John P. Johnson / 20th Century Fox)

Scott McCall as played by Tyler Posey in ”Teen Wolf.” Freitas does the makeup for the MTV werewolf drama. (MTV)

Freitas is one the makeup designers for AMC’s zombie hit “The Walking Dead.” (Greg Nicotero)

“The Walking Dead” is set and shot in Georgia, near Freitas’s home and studio. Freitas grew up there and says remaining in Georgia has helped make him a better artist.

Reference material on a shelf at Freitas’s studio. (Erik S. Lesser / For The Washington Post)

Freitas, 39, began his love of special effects in adolescence and his company, AFX Studios, turns 20 this year. (Erik S. Lesser / For The Washington Post)

An injured hand Freitas created for the movie ”Kalifornia.” (Erik S. Lesser / For The Washington Post)

Hands and heads stack up for Freitas. (Erik S. Lesser / For The Washington Post)

Clay sculptures of the Three Blind Mice, designed by Freitas. (Erik S. Lesser / For The Washington Post)

Freitas works on the Three Blind Mice, part of a Shrek-themed holiday show. (Erik S. Lesser / For The Washington Post)

Special effects designer Andre Freitas, surrounded by his work. (Erik S. Lesser / For The Washington Post)