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Nights at the Circus

#finalyear #makeup #prosthetics #art #artist #makeup-artist #prosthetic-artist #prosthetic-makeup #special-effects

This is my final major project for university, based on the Angela Carter novel, 'Nights at the Circus', set in 1900. I chose the 2 characters 'Fevvers', a trapeze artist and the tiger tamer. I made it as if they are turning into their roles within the circus and so becoming animal human-hybrids. The book has a focusing theme of appearance and so I incorporate that not only into the makeup, but into the storyline that they are performers who are not happy with their changing appearance backstage.

Short film still.

Short film still.

Short film still.

Short film still.

Short film still.

Short film still.

Life casting.

Finished life cast for the tiger tamer.

Swan sculpt.

A finished sculpted piece for the swan. This will go over the eyebrows and part of the forehead. I punched feathers into it in order to blend with the wig.

Forehead sculpt for tiger tamer.

Tiger markings across the face in order to show her turning part tiger.

Tiger sculpt.

Tiger markings across the face in order to show her turning part tiger.

Tiger sculpt.

Tiger markings across the face in order to show her turning part tiger.

Tiger sculpt.

Ready to be made into a flat mould.

Tiger sculpt.

Ready to be made into a flat mould.

Wig foundation for tiger.

Close up of knotting.

Using human hair.

Finished hand knotted wig.

Making process for swan wig.

Using real goose feathers sourced from a pillow.

Finished swan wig.

Finished tiger wig- dreadlocked.

This character is described to have dreadlocks in the book so I included this with the character.

Finished tiger wig- dreadlocked.

I added a bandana to the character as I thought it looked great with the wig and costume. I improvised in the film in order to cover up a bald section because my filming date was pushed quite a bit forward. I loved the look of it afterwards.

Behind the scenes images.

The set and props all bought by me. Filmed inside a small makeup studio.

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