Ep 7. Feral Fungi

Feral Fungi is the seventh episode of the twelfth season of the popular reality television show Face Off. As with previous episodes of this season, Feral Fungi features ten up-and-coming special effects makeup artists who compete in a series of challenges to demonstrate their creativity, technique and talent.

The challenge in this episode revolves around the concept of "feral fungi". Each contestant is given a mushroom species to base their creation on as they design an original character that embodies the wild nature of the fungus they've been assigned. As usual, the contestants have a limited amount of time to complete their challenge and a panel of expert judges will evaluate the finished products.

The episode begins with the contestants gathering in the make-up studio and listening eagerly as host McKenzie Westmore explains the specifics of the challenge. Some of the artists seem excited at the prospect of working with unusual fungal species such as Lion's Mane or Shiitake, while others look a bit more apprehensive about how to translate a mushroom into a believable character.

Once the rules are established, the contestants begin brainstorming their designs and discussing their concepts with the judges. Some participants decide to focus on a single striking feature of their assigned mushroom, such as its distinctive cap or unusual texture. Others choose to incorporate the mushroom's unique characteristics into the overall character design, using features like gills or spores to suggest a connection between fungal and feral.

As the contestants begin applying their make-up, tensions start to rise. Several of the artists struggle with technical challenges like applying prosthetics smoothly or blending colors effectively. Others struggle to bring their initial creative vision to life, either because they've run into a roadblock or because they've realized that their concept might not work as well as they'd hoped.

Despite the challenges, the artists continue to work diligently, often pushing past their comfort zones in order to create something that will impress the judges. The time limit adds an extra layer of stress, as the contestants scramble to finish as much of their designs as possible before the clock runs out.

Once the time limit is up, the contestants gather to present their creations to the judges. As is typical in a Face Off episode, the judges offer both compliments and critiques for each of the designs. Some are praised for their innovative use of makeup or for their attention to detail, while others are scolded for lacking a strong narrative or for being too predictable.

Throughout the episode, it's abundantly clear that the contestants are passionate about their craft and take their work incredibly seriously. They're all eager to win the season's grand prize, which includes a generous cash award and an opportunity to further their careers in the special effects makeup industry.

Overall, Feral Fungi is a thrilling episode of Face Off that demonstrates the level of skill and creativity required to excel in this competitive field. Whether you're a fan of special effects makeup or simply enjoy watching talented individuals push themselves to their limits, this episode is not to be missed.