Somewhere on the border of Bournemouth and Poole, a number of strange creatures have been emerging. Some have huge features, others have mutant heads.

Their lifelike hair, their veins, their flesh, glassy eyes and rippled muscles hint that they could indeed breathe life.

For many they are the stuff of nightmares. But for one man they are the stuff of dreams.

Pete Tindall is a lecturer at Arts University Bournemouth, where he – and students on the Special FX in Fantasy Creature Design and Fabrication short course – relish in things not quite of-this-world. After graduating himself from AUB in 2003, Pete specialised in his passion – special effects, creature design and prosthetic make-up effects.

His talents have taken him to work on a range of productions including Hollywood films such as Batman Begins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Wolfman – all through contacts he made during his time studying in Bournemouth.

“There are many things that make me passionate about my craft,” he said.

“Things such as the processes involved in creating a piece. I really enjoy the pure escapism and there is what is referred to as the ‘God complex’, the process of bringing your creations to life.

Despite the fantastical nature of the creatures, there is a very ‘real’ quality to them which somehow makes them believable, which Pete puts down above all to the attention to the anatomy.

“Even though they are often pure fantasy, one of the main considerations when designing is to reference real creatures and real anatomy. These things will help the audience buy into the idea of the creature being real.”

Pete gleans his inspiration from all kinds of areas, looking at other artists’ work, observing nature and the world around us. His passion is shared by people from various backgrounds and his students come from all walks of life to create these beautifully bizarre beings.

“The thing that they all seem to have in common is their passion for creativity,” said Pete who has developed and taught SFX Make-Up courses for The National Film and Television School and was invited to contribute some images of his work to the book Special Make-Up Effects for Stage and Screen. Yet Pete also has something of a passion for Bournemouth.

“I did my degree here and strongly believe that the AUB is one of the best specialist universities around. With this in mind when I was offered a teaching position it was a simple decision. The main thing I took away with me was to have pride in my work, always be aware that there is someone better than you but strive to do the best you can.”