Whitby - set specific short horror films!

Whitby Abbey Hostel 

                                                      02/11/2022 - 03/11/2022

As a makeup group we got the amazing opportunity to find out what it would be like working on a film while on location. All we knew about this beforehand was that we would need our special effects makeup kits as the films being made were all horror based. We didn’t know what the makeup looks needed would be so we couldn’t plan beforehand which was both a bit stressful (I like to be organised and know what is needed from me) but also exciting as I didn’t know what I was going to be asked to create and just had to go with the flow which is great to just let my creativity flow. There was going to be two days of filming so makeup would be needed for both days which meant we would all need to stay over to continue the next day. We stayed at Whitby Abbey Hostel which as the name suggests is right next to Whitby Abbey itself, which was a great location for filming. The surrounding scenery was beautiful and once it got darker instantly added to the horror vibes the directors where looking for. The directors where spoilt for choice on where to film since they had Whitby Abbey itself, the cemetery, the hostel (the building being really old and spooky), the harbour and all over surrounding areas to choose from.  

The Makeup Team 

Once we arrived at the Hostel we found a room which we could claim as a makeup room and got set up ready for the directors to come and give us a run down of what makeup looks where needed. First look we got giving was to age one of the actors up. The directors were hoping to film as soon as possible so they would be able to use as much daylight as possible which meant we had to work quickly. we split into smaller groups as more directors came in with makeup that needed to be applied. Myself, Libby and Kaitlyn all got stuck into the old-age look to make it as quick as possible. They both focused on colouring his hair as he had a lot of it and I focused on aging him up. 

This was the finished look for aging the actor up, we checked that the director was happy with the look as we hadn't been told a specific age range to aim for. Once this look was completed I had another director come to me and asked me to create a deep laceration to the neck. I haven't attempted this type of special effects look but I had an idea of how I wasn't to create it with what we had available to me. 

I used Liquid Latex and tissue paper to create the shape of the laceration then once dried I went in with the end of my spatula (making sure I was extra carefully not to harm the actor especially on the area that I was working on) to try rip the tissue paper to get me the effect of torn skin. Once I was happy with this I went in this foundation to blend the colour of the tissue paper into the skin. 

While doing this I noticed that the actor needed to have makeup applied to her face also since this was for a film we wanted it as simple as possible (a no makeup makeup look) for this I asked Libby one of the other MUA's to help out while I was finishing off the laceration. 

Once I was happy with the colouring of the foundation I use a translucent powder to set it all before going in with blood. I used a mixture of different blood for this look including Mehron coagulated blood, which is a really thick dark blood that wont drip, this helped create the depth of the wound and Ben Nye stage blood this is a lot brighter in colour giving that fresh cut effect. I used this both by mixing it with Vaseline to create another thicker texture of blood but in a lighter shade and on its own to give that dripping fresh wound look. 

Over all I was happy with how the laceration turned out. This were the only two looks I was needed to create, I made sure I had plenty of continuity photos so I would be able to recreate the looks again, then we packed up essentials ready to go out on set encase any touch ups or extra makeup was needed. 

On location of film 1! 

On set of film 2! 

One big thing as makeup artists we need to remember for next time we are on location is definitely to bring a coat, a really big coat! The weather was so cold! but we still had such a great time with the everybody on set. 

After a While on set the filming had to be cut short as the weather got really bad and a storm was coming, the Abbey itself even got closes off because of the high winds which meant that filming there would have to wait until tomorrow to continue. 

Day two! 

Due to the storm last night there is still more filming that needs to be done this morning but for me there is only one makeup look needed which is the aging makeup, we got set straight up ready to get going with the makeup as soon as the actor was available. I used my continuity photos I had taken yesterday to make sure I was able to get the makeup as close to the say as I possibly could. 

Day two of aging makeup 

We weren't needed on set today as they were sure the makeup would last as it was only for a short amount of time today. This meant we had some free time to do a bit of sight seeing ourselves before we were traveling back home.

 

 

Group photo of everyone involved in the horror films including actors, film students and MUA's.