Ep 7. Maritime Monsters

In season 13, episode 7 of the popular reality show Face Off, titled "Maritime Monsters," eight remaining competitors are challenged to create unique sea monster characters inspired by the creatures of the deep. The contestants must use their special effects makeup skills to transform live models into imaginative sea creatures that appear to have come straight out of the ocean. All the designs must be original and based on real marine animals or legends associated with the sea.

The episode starts with host McKenzie Westmore introducing the challenge and revealing the guest judge for this week's episode, Emmy-award winning visual effects artist, Glenn Hetrick. Hetrick worked as a character and creature designer for movies like The Hunger Games, Legion, and Titanic. The contestants are excited to show off their skills to such an experienced and respected figure in the industry.

The competitors begin brainstorming their ideas by researching and sketching designs. The judges encourage them to think beyond typical sea creatures like sharks and octopuses and consider more obscure creatures such as comb jellies and amphipods. They also suggest looking into regional folklore and mythology to come up with ideas that haven't been seen before.

Once the sketches are complete, the artists start creating their prosthetics and applying them to the live models. This process involves sculpting, molding, casting pieces, and painting them to look like real skin and scales. The contestants have to be mindful of things like blending, color-matching, and adhesive application to make the prosthetics look as seamless as possible.

Throughout the episode, we see shots of the artists hard at work as they tackle the challenge with varying levels of confidence and finesse. Some contestants are struggling with the technical aspects of the challenge, while others are struggling to bring their design concept to life. While all the artists are talented, the judges are looking for characters that have a clear narrative and attention to detail.

As the clock ticks down and the models prepare to walk the runway, the contestants are scrambling to make last-minute touch-ups and changes to their designs. During the reveal, the judges assess each character and offer feedback and criticism. Hetrick provides insights on how to improve the overall look of each monster and address technical issues. He also challenges the contestants to lean more into storytelling with their characters and focus on practicality.

Finally, it's time for the judges to announce the winning design and the artist going home. The competition is always fierce, and even the strongest competitors can have bad days. Who will impress the judges and take home the title of best sea monster? Who will leave the competition disappointed?

This episode of Face Off showcases the creativity, talent, and tenacity required to create a truly convincing special effects makeup look. It's fascinating to see the design process unfold from initial sketches to the final reveal, and the challenges of the form are highlighted throughout. With fun thematic twists and guest judges like Glenn Hetrick, Face Off is a thrilling show for any fan of makeup and special effects.