Scifi’s new original series “Face Off” really puts the “magic” in movie magic. Latex, prosthetics, and airbrush come together as one to create the next big name in movie monsters. Monster making is essentially the premise of this ground-breaking reality series.

   Don’t quite understand? Well, take for instance, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.  As Harry is walking through Gringott’s bank, one can’t help but notice all of the goblins meticulously sorting through money and documents.  As you look at them, you may find yourself wondering “how did they get the actors to look that way?” No, they weren’t born with pointed ears and teeth; it’s just simply makeup.

  This isn’t your average type of makeup, it’s more than that. It takes more than mascara and eyeliner to make a goblin or monster that realistic. Essentially, they use prosthetics.  Prosthetics can be defined as fake body pieces, or parts, used to make up a whole.  In this case, the contestants will make use of foam-latex prosthetics.  They will create prosthetics facial features, masks, hands, feet, etc. to be applied on a model.  Once these pieces have been applied, they will be detailed painted and airbrushed for a more realistic effect.

   The contestants are given a challenge, the challenges being to create a character based on certain criteria.  They are asked to create animals, aliens, demons, or even Tim Burton themed characters.  First, these contestants are given forty minutes to sketch and design their creature, and then they will choose a cast of a model’s face that best suits their design. 

   Using clay, the designer will then sculpt the design onto the model cast.  This will allow for the makeup artists to design their prosthetic to fit only that model’s face.  Once the sculpture is completed, the cast will be placed in a base while liquid latex is pored over the sculpture.  The entire cast and clay sculpture become the mold.  This set up is allowed to dry for a certain period of time, and then the mold is opened and the dried latex is removed.  This dried latex is the prosthetic piece that will be applied to the model as well as painted.

  Sound’s tough, right? Well, the real challenge in this series is not the creating of the character or parts, but rather, the amount of time given.  The artists are given only two fourteen-hour work days, which may seem extreme, but many of the materials used have to be left alone for hours on end before they can be painted or applied.  In addition to the prosthetics, the contestants are also required to create props, costumes and background stories during these work days.  The third day is referred to as “Application Day”, and during this four hour time limit, the makeup artists must apply the prosthetics to their models, detail and body paint, and finish any remaining details.  

  Once the creatures are finished, they are modeled and judged by the three well-known makeup artists.  Then, one by one, contestants are voted off based on their performance and the overall look of their creation for the current challenge.  “Face Off” is similar to American Idol, but is more action-packed, creative, and drama filled.

  Watching the struggles and triumphs of these makeup artists and their breath-taking creations is one reason “Face Off” has struck a positive chord with movie lovers everywhere.