With the appliance securely glued to my face, it was time to add several layers of liquid latex to the outer edges, to further adhere and blend the appliance onto my face.
(NOTE: Not a very pleasant thing to use, as it smells strongly of ammonia and and can be potentially dangerous, particularly if you have any latex allergies - therefore, extreme care and ventilation is needed whenever using this product!)
At least ten full layers total were painted on to form a strong, skin-like bond, with each layer being dried thoroughly with a hand-held blow dryer before the next layer was applied.
I wanted to create the look of rotting, peeling flesh, and as each layer was dried, I lifted my neck up to pull it almost off my own skin and then painted another thick coating of latex. This process was repeated several times until I achieved the desired look.
The effect was very realistic, especially when I inserted a good blob of coagulated stage blood seeping out of the wound!
After this painstaking process was completed, it was time to move onto my favorite stage - applying the horror grease paint. Ahh, it was Zen for me to dab it on.
Ben Nye Studios makes a whole line of awesome products. For my look, I used the "Ghoul Kit." It consists of a very dead-looking grey base coat, with bruised-looking contrast colors and deep black.
Slowly yet surely, I am transformed into a horrifying minion of the undead!
Filling in the slashes and ragged areas with contrasting makeup and you can see a fetid, decaying Zombie shape beginning to take effect... bwa-hahahaha!!!
But wait! Can't have a brain-devouring Zombie without a little coagulated stage blood, can we? And of course, I went on overdrive with it. A little blood is good, but a LOT? Why, that is so much better, indeedy.
A little more makeup and blood, and I'm almost done... almost there. Hair is spray painted with dead white temporary color, and pulled back into a skinny ponytail to keep out of my undead face.
I decided to cut off the sleeves from this dress shirt - and good thing I did, as it turned out to be very hot inside the club that night. But as you know, one must SUFFER for one's art, right?
Close-up of my handiwork, including the gaping, bleeding neck wound.
And the end result is...
Add a snazzy pinstriped suit with jewel-encrusted spider lapel pin, a crushed velvet top hat, demon skull (with light-up eyes that changed color!) walking cane, and viola! My look was complete.
Total time spent in this transformation: 4 1/2 hours. Well worth it!
(clickable link above takes you to Dr. Gangrene's website)
The show itself was huge fun, with the following bands playing live:
The Creeping Cruds (
www.jeanoroid.com/)
The stage was set at The Muse for the 7th annual Horror Hootenanny!
(Photo credit: Jeano Roid Coffinberry)
The Doctor is in...SANE!!!
(Photo credit: Jeano Roid Coffinberry)
Me and Zombie hubby, Mark, who had a role onstage during Spookhand's show, where he jumps onstage and does a wild dance, pissing the Dr. off, who, along with two other ghouls, grabs and drags him to a chopping block. Down comes the axe on his right paw... SPLATTER! With the use of a hidden spout, fake blood is squirted all over the excited audience. The good Doctor then takes the bloody appendange and drinks the blood from it. It was the PAWS that refreshed indeed. Delicious!
(Photo credit: Jeano Roid Coffinberry)
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The Dr. and me!
(mobile phone photo by Mark) |
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Swag table full of frightfully good stuff!
(Photo credit: Jeano Roid Coffinberry) |
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| The marquee for The Muse |
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Me posing beside the Spookhand sign in the dressing room.
My biggest fan is behind me. |
It was such a 'high,' it's disheartening to think that it will be a full year till the next horrific Hoot.
I can't wait till next year's show... and am already planning my costume.
