Halloween is just a few weeks away! Have you ever been to a haunted house or seen a scary movie? How do the actors transform into those terrifying characters? Today, we want to dive into the making of those scary masks and prosthetic components of some iconic costumes, displaying how some of our products can be used to design your own prosthetics.

Go to the movies and you’ll see some really interesting characters, whether a scary movie or science fiction. There are plenty of haunts around each city, like haunted hayrides and houses. How do they transform these actors?

Step 1: Design the Mask

One of the most iconic and memorable masks in horror film history is the terrifying, distorted face of Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street series. Twisted, burned, and scarred, Freddy has been haunting movie screens and nightmares since 1984. Some other iconic and memorable masks in film history that left an everlasting impression on viewers include An American Werewolf in London (in the 1980’s), Star Wars (which its new chapters), and Avatar (a recent big hit).

Most artists choose to start with a Styrofoam model head that they can build up and mold into the proper face shape using clay. Once the face is molded to the artist’s liking, the clay is left to dry before being submerged into a bucket of the chosen compound to create the silicone mask with precise, specific detail.

Step 2: Choose the Compound

The key to creating such a lifelike, fear-inducing face is a well-fitted, detailed mask created with high-quality silicone such as our series. With low hardness, high tear strength, low viscosity, high elongation, and low tackiness, this compound allows for precise application due to its long working time.

A low-viscosity compound is essential when creating detailed masks, as a low viscosity fluid creates fewer bubbles and makes pouring the mold much easier. The SES22230-45 Tough Skin series is also translucent, meaning that any pigment can be added for perfect customization.

Step 3: Make the Transformation

After the mold is set, the mask can be removed from the cast and completely personalized. In Freddy’s case (A Nightmare on Elm Street), the mask is painted and detailed to resemble third-degree burns and scars. The completed masks can also be torn and re-sewn to create terrifying scarecrow features or broken-down doll faces.

The SES22230-45 Tough Skin series is specifically designed to have a high tear strength, so the mask can be applied and removed several times without ripping or stretching. Just make sure you use a paint with a high flexibility as well, such as a paint containing Lycra (the stretchy stuff in your swimsuit), so the details you apply won’t crack or chip with every application!

Step 4: Enjoy the Product!

The purpose behind any mask is to elicit a good response from viewers. Whether you’re participating in a haunted attraction, attending a party, or building professional creations for real films, the correct high-quality products will always deliver the best results.

Looking for a specific product? Have questions about what you see on our web site? Our representatives are here to help. Give us a call, toll-free, at 1-800-220-1966, or send us an email at sales@chemical-concepts.com. We look forward to hearing from you; creep it real!