There are a lot of programs over the course of the year showcasing competitions of one sort or another. But this one, Face Off, is a bit different from the rest.
It’s not about cooking or dancing or singing or baking or seeing who can navigate some dopey obstacle course.
It’s about the craft of prostheses … make-up … adhesives … design. And if you’re a geek about physical application and artistry, you’ll be interested right from the get-go.
If not, you’ll be bored out of your skull.
“I’m really going to sit around for an hour and watch bozos slather goop on people’s faces, witness a wannabe effects nerd apply fake injuries to some sorry sap sitting in a barber chair?” you might ask yourself if you’re not in sync with this stuff.
Personally, I kinda dug it. And, yes, in a geeky sort of way. It’s cool to see the whys and wherefores of effects application, putting an idea on paper, being instrumental in nurturing a concept to life. Especially where real people are involved. This is an art form which yields equal amounts of frustration and reward. You’ll get the inner workings of those and a whole lot more watching Face Off. There are cool things to be seen on this program.
The players in the game are nerds through and through. (So are the judges: Ve Neill, 3-time Oscar winner and 2-time Emmy winner, dour Glenn Hetrick of Optic Nerve Studios and Patrick Tatopoulos — creature effects designer and director.) Some of the participants have attitude and spunk; others are going to get their asses kicked during the competition.
The bottom line of the show for me, after viewing the initial episode, was the ultra-coolness of the final result of the contestants’ efforts as well as seeing what this kind of immersion in such a craft can do to thwart one’s self-esteem.
If you’re into it, you’ll be rewarded with some interesting and innovative work. Otherwise, you better tune in to Wipe Out and scarf some cheese balls.
Clacked by Michael Noble 
on Jan 27, 2011 @ 10:48 EST5EDT
Color me a geek! I didn’t get to see the first 20 minutes because I was en route from work, but it was just as cool to see the finished products as it was the judges reactions and comments.
My only critique for this first episode is the hostess. When she stands, her feet are over a foot apart whilst wearing a mini-dress. It looks unattractive, but I’m probably the only person to notice such a thing.
While I abhor all reality television, at least this show has something to do with scifi. That’s the only good thing I’m going to say about it because it’s taking up space where a scripted science fiction show should go; one that employs dozens of crew and actors.
Syfy looks like it’s been bitten by the channel drift bug and that’s never a good thing. Less scifi, more sweaty men in tights and competition shows. I has a sad.
BTW Michael, what’s up with your avatar looking all dirtied up these days? Forget to take a shower?
*POST AUTHOR*
. . . . .
Tom:
I’m a sucker for (some) reality television. There’s a lot of hooey out there, but – on the flip side – there’s also a lot of good old-fashioned and unexpected drama, too. I could buzz off a dozen instances without a sweat.
I was really curious about this series. I promised more than just the same-old same-old as far as a competition was concerned. And it delivered. But, as stated, it’s not for everyone.
My avatar? Well … who wants to see the same thing day in and day out? Just part of my value added service … no charge. Thanks for noticing … !!!
To be fair, many of the competition shows have merit. There are a few that manage to stay above the fray of lowbrow antics, such as The Amazing Race and I’m sure even this Face Off show. My (over)reaction is because there’s just such a glut of them out there now that I’ve just gone completely off them. I was an addict of The Real World, Survivor and Big Brother in their early years, so I guess that makes me both a convert and a hypocrite.
I’ll even admit that I was tempted to watch Face Off because I’ve always been a makeup/prosthetics nut. Back when I was a newlywed I even enlisted my wife’s help in making a lifemask of my face using candle wax. It was actually a fairly pleasant experience, that warm wax, until near completion when she accidentally poured some molten wax into one of the 2 drinking straws inserted into my nostrils. I survived and filled the mold with plaster of paris which I then used for many years to make prosthetics for myself at Halloween. I won a lot of contests at local bars, but the meager cash didn’t even manage to cover the cost of the ridiculous amounts of liquid latex and spirit gum I would buy. I got strange looks sometimes when I’d plop down 4-5 pint containers of latex at the checkout counter of the local costume shop.
One year I made my wife a Gumby suit just like the one Eddie Murphy used to wear on SNL. Since we live in Louisiana and it’s ALWAYS hot here I sadly only have a picture of her in it after she removed the arms. We were young, stupid and too anxious to get to the party to stop and think of recording the results of my efforts. It was common for me to start on my Halloween costume in June or July and would usually take in excess of 3 hours to apply the finished product.
Damn, now I’ve gone and talked myself into wanting to watch that damned show. Please shoot me!
Re: “…who wants to see the same thing day in and day out?” You must not be married. :o)
(Don’t think I didn’t notice you rotated yourself today)
*POST AUTHOR*
. . . . .
“Damn, now I’ve gone and talked myself into wanting to watch that damned show. Please shoot me!”
… my work here is done …
To quote Mermaidman, “Eeeeeeeeevil!”
I really love production design when it comes to television and film, so this is right up my alley. In a world where too many filmmakers make CGI a crutch, it’s fun to see artists use makeup to bring a character to life.
Also, the guy who won the first main challenge worked on Lord Zed back on the Power Rangers… which is AWESOME.