Dudman entered the film industry in 1979 when he served as a trainee by British make-up artist Stuart Freeborn during the making of The Empire Strikes Back, where he worked on Yoda. He remained with Freeborn for nearly four years learning all aspects of the craft, and together they worked on Superman II, Top Secret! and Return Of The Jedi.

Dudman was later hired by American make-up maestro Dick Smith to be his assistant on The Hunger, helping him age David Bowie over 100 years and creating the many blood effects. There, he also headed up the English make-up laboratory for Ridley Scott's Legend and worked with director Neil Jordan on Mona Lisa, High Spirits, The Miracle and Interview With A Vampire.

Other film credits include: George Lucas' Willow; Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade; Batman; Alien III; The Last Of The Mohicans; Judge Dredd; and The Fifth Element, for which he received a BAFTA nomination for Best Visual Effects.