SFX Make-up In TV/Film & Its History

HISTORY

• The first archaeological evidence of cosmetic usage is found in Ancient Egypt around 4000 BC
• The Ancient Greeks and Roman also used cosmetic containing mercury and often lead.
• In the western world, cosmetics were used throughout the medieval period, although their use was typically restricted to the upper classes.

• The using of special effect was in 1895 in the film "Demolotion d'un Mur" in Paris and this is actually the first experiment on trick photography.
• In 1902, "A Trip to the Moon" and "Adventurous Automobile Trip" also using special effect makeup.
• In 50's, Sci-fi and Horror genre became famous and in 90's CGI began to used in film such as Terminator, and Jurassic Park sequel.

• The early black and white movies didn't show colors and by that special effects makeup had limitations.
• Actors had to find their ways to help makeup bring their character alive, so that the acting is believable
• With time and new technology, makeup effects see no more boundaries.
• As an example:

SELF SERVICE

• Actors, in the days before the "Talkies", often put on their makeup on.
• Because of they short main power, actors tend to put their makeup by themselves.
• Its easier and they don't spent much time by waiting and just to be on the character.

LON CHANEY SR.

• He was a trailblazer in using simple yet innovative ideas such as wigs and fish skins to change his looks.
• He also Named "The Man of a Thousand Faces" and we can see he features in silent movies.
• His specialty in makeup is "Extraordinary Characterization".

"i wanted to remind people that lowest types of humanity may have within them the capacity for supreme self-sacrifice," Chaney wrote in Moviemagazine.

• This mean that he teach us to use any usable material in making the pieces. As an example, news paper, we can reuse it to make a new character.

 
* Lon Chaney Sr. in Phantom of the Opera and Himself

MAX FACTOR

• This product create makeup specifically designed for films.
• This giant step allowed for further development in special effects.
• From the basic step, this product change and evolve the using of makeup to another stage by developing the using of makeup.

FRANKENSTEIN

• The fictional Frankenstein monster's body was create piece by piece in a laboratory.
• His head was fashioned of Collodion-Soaked Cheese Cloths and Grease Paint.
• This is one of the well known movie all time by creating a monster using special effect makeup.
• The making took many hour just to create one piece of the body such as couple of ears, nose, mouth etc.

*Boris Karloff as The Frankenstein Monster


PROSTHETIC

• "The Wizard of Oz" was the big movie to use prosthetic.
• Actors had a part glued on to them in the morning before the camera roll.
• Its shows that many time needed for them to prepare for the scene.
• The basic process is prosthetic sculpting, molding to create advance cosmetic effects.

 

LEADER:

• Rick Baker : An American Werewolf in London, The Nutty Professor, Planet of the Apes, How the Ginch Stole Christmas.

 

• Tom Savini : Friday The 13th, Dawn of the Dead, Creepshow.
• Rob Bottin : The Howling, The Thing, Robocop, Total Recall.
• Ben Nye : The Fly
• William J.Tuttle : 7 Faces of Dr.Lao

Book Reference:

Special Effects Make-up By Janus Vinther, Psychology Press, 2003

Web Reference:
http://jaimieslookbook.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/chapter-1-history-of-special-effect_15.html