Production with HandOfBlood – Instinct3

Project at a glance

Client: Instinct3

Performer: Maximilian Knabe (HandOfBlood)

Industry: Advertising / Influencer Marketing

Project: Custom Dwarf Character Make-up

Services:

• Character Design

• Traditional Sculpting

• Mould Making

• Encapsulated Silicone Prosthetic

• Painting

• Prosthetic Application

• On-Set Support

Materials:

• Encapsulated platinum silicone

• Baldiez Cap Plastic

• Custom colouring

The Challenge

For the production, a bespoke dwarf prosthetic had to be created in the shortest possible time – one that made the character believable without completely obscuring HandOfBlood's distinctive features.

With well-known personalities in particular, the challenge lies in creating a new character while retaining recognisability. In addition, the prosthetic had to withstand high-resolution camera images and blend harmoniously into the final character make-up.

The Execution

After discussing everything together, the design of the dwarf nose was created first. The prosthetic was then traditionally sculpted, moulded and fabricated from high-quality encapsulated platinum silicone.

After fabrication came the custom painting, before the nose prosthetic was applied directly on the shoot day and colour-matched to the skin, the lighting mood and the final character design. Thanks to the fine transitions, the prosthetic merged almost seamlessly with the skin and produced a believable fantasy look.

The Result

The finished dwarf prosthetic gave the character a striking new facial form without losing the performer's personality. This created an authentic fantasy design that convinced both in close-ups and in moving image.

Thanks to the precise fit and the professional application, the prosthetic could be worn reliably throughout the entire production.

What made this project special

• Individually developed dwarf nose

• Short production time frame

• Custom-made silicone prosthetic

• Realistic transitions to the skin

• Professional painting

• Direct application on set

• Fantasy character with strong recognisability

Behind the Scenes

From the first idea to the finished prosthetic, every step was created with careful handcraft. Sculpting was followed by mould making, silicone casting and the custom painting. On the shoot day, the prosthetic was applied and colour-matched to the final character make-up, creating a harmonious overall look.

Relevant industries

• Advertising

• Influencers & Content Creators

• Social media campaigns

• Cosplay

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the nose prosthetic developed specifically for this project?

Yes. The dwarf prosthetic was sculpted and fabricated individually for the production.

Why was platinum silicone used?

Platinum silicone allows especially fine skin structures, flexible movement and almost invisible transitions – ideal for film and advertising productions.

How long does it take to make a bespoke facial prosthetic?

Depending on the scope, the development involves several steps – from sculpting through mould making to the finished, painted prosthetic.

Did you also apply the prosthetic yourself?

Yes. In addition to the fabrication, I handled the application and adjusted the prosthetic directly on the shoot day to the final character make-up.

Conclusion

This project shows how bespoke film prosthetics that convince both in craft and in appearance can be created even on a tight schedule. Combining character design, traditional sculpting, high-quality silicone work and professional application resulted in a custom dwarf prosthetic that brought the character believably to life and met the demands of a modern content production.