Filmmakers use special effects (SFX) makeup to transform actors' appearances, simulating injuries, aging, or fantastical creatures for realistic illusions on camera.
Key Techniques
Prosthetics form artificial skin, noses, ears, or limbs from materials like silicone or latex, adhered to actors for monster or alien designs. Body painting and gels create textures for wounds, scales, or temporary tattoos, while fake blood from corn syrup adds gore in action scenes.
Aging and Transformation
Aging effects involve contouring, wrinkles, and age spots to make actors appear decades older, as seen in films like The Revenant. De-aging uses corrective makeup and highlights for youthful looks, often combined with contact lenses to alter eye color or shape.
Modern Advances
Digital tools, 3D modeling, and airbrushing ensure seamless blends under HD lighting, blending practical makeup with CGI for effects like twisted limbs in Death Becomes Her. These methods enhance storytelling by making impossible visuals believable.