Bespoke special prop for Game Two / Rocket Beans

The Brief

Game Two required a realistic silicone dummy head of the performer, depicting a crushed head convincingly. The prop had to work at normal viewing distance and in close-up, and be stable enough for its intended use.

A lifecast of the performer was not possible. The head therefore had to be sculpted from photographic references: matching the anatomy of the original and building the damage so that it reads as physically true rather than exaggerated.

The Process

A basic head form was created first as the foundation for the sculpt, then the full damage as traditional clay sculpting, following the anatomy and the way tissue actually gives way.

After sculpting came the two-part mould in epoxy resin and fiberglass; the head was cast in platinum silicone. To save weight without losing stability, the prop was given a two-component polyurethane foam core.

The head was then individually painted and finished with hand-punched real human hair. At the location a wig and glass eyes were added; the gore effect was handled by the production's props team on site.

Materials & Techniques

• Oil-based clay

• Epoxy resin and fiberglass for the two-part mould

• Platinum silicone for the cast

• Two-component polyurethane foam core

• Custom painting

• Hair punching: hand-punched real human hair, plus glass eyes and wig

The Result

A special effects prop with realistic anatomy and coherent injury detail, light enough to handle on set and detailed enough for close-up work.