Evaluation

Below, I have created an in depth evaluation of my final outcome for the bald cap section of unit nine, including a breakdown of each element I have incorporated in to my design.

Overall look

Overall I am so impressed with the result of my final outcome. Although there are a few minor changes I would make if I were to re-create this look in the future, I believe the overall look was really effective, and clearly represented my theme.

Bald cap application

Considering this was only my second time applying a bald cap I am extremely pleased with the results of the look. There was only one small area of the bald cap, at the front of the head, that began to lift towards the end of the assessment. However, I adapted my design in order to incorporate and camouflage this fault with a vein, which worked really effectively. Everywhere else on the bald cap, the edges blended seamlessly into the skin, and I only had a few small wrinkles in the cap – towards the back of the head, at the bottom of the neck. 

Brain

For one of my SFX techniques, I created the illusion of an exposed brain using gelatin. I chose to use gelatin to create this effect, instead of using a pre-made prosthetic, as the product is much more flexible allowing for a more realistic finish. Firstly, I am really happy with the outcome of this effect, and feel my placement was much better than the attempt in my formative assessment. However, I do believe the coloring in my formative assessment was more effective. This is because the yellows and blacks in the coloring of my formative assessment add so much more depth and realism to the brain.

Eye laceration

Adding another SFX technique in my design, I created a missing eye laceration with sculpt gel. I chose to create this effect with sculpt gel instead of a pre-made prosthetic, as it allowed me to experiment with creating my own prosthetics – and looked exactly how I pictured. I am really pleased with the coloring in and around this wound, and personally believe it created a really effective result. However, I do believe it would have looked even more effective if I had also added bruising around the outside of the wound.

Cheek laceration 

I also added another sculpt gel laceration to the cheek. Initially, I planned to use a prosthetic for the wound, however after experimenting with creating my own wounds using sculpt gel during my formative assessment, I decided this technique was more effective. I really enjoyed working with this product, and love how I can create exactly what I am in-visioning, rather than adapting my design to suit a shop brought, ready made prosthetic. Furthermore, I am extremely happy with the result of the coloring, blood and wound filler, and think it worked really well in this design.

Sunken eye sockets

Next, I created the illusion of a slightly sunken eye socket, using a combination of grease paints and eye shadows. I decided to make this effect more subtle than in the original face plan, as I think it would have been too much if the area around the eye was overly dark – taking focus away from the wounds I had created. Overall I am happy with the result of this, however I do wish I had created heavier shadowing underneath the eye.

Bite

Additionally, I created a zombie bite on the neck, using soft putty. I am really impressed with the result of this, especially as I did not practice this technique in my formative assessment. Personally, I believe this created a great, realistic effect. Furthermore, I am extremely happy with the coloring on this wound.

Costume

As outlined in my final design plan, I tied my look together by dressing my model in plated body armor. Using chest plate armor, made for motocross, I added another level of fear and eeriness to my character. Personally, I believe this elevated my look to a whole new level.

Veins

After evaluating my formative assessment, I decided I wanted to add veins across the face and the back of the head, as I had a large area of empty space on the back of the bald cap that I wanted to fill. I feel this effect worked really well, however I do wish I had used a thinner (precision) brush and face paints (instead of eye shadows), to create a more realistic finish. Additionally, I adapted this technique to disguise a slight lift at the front of the bald cap, which worked really well. Overall, I am pleased that I included this into my design, but do wish I had experimented with different mediums as this would have allowed me to create an even more realistic finish.

Blood around mouth

For the final step of my assessment, I placed a Kryolan blood capsules into my client’s mouth, allowing blood to spread around the mouth area, and down the chin. I am so pleased I added this as this step really helped to pull the whole look together, and clearly showed the true, cannibalistic nature of the character I created. Usually, having two different coloured bloods in a look would make it less effective, however I love the effect it created in my design, as it established a clear line between the old blood around the wounds, and the fresh blood coming from the mouth.