Multi-Piece Ageing Transformation for Schauspiel Hannover

The Brief

For a production at Schauspielhaus Hannover, an actor had to appear significantly older without losing facial expression. Multi-piece silicone prosthetics are the right answer at that level of realism.

The production schedule left no time to fabricate custom pieces. The five generic silicone prosthetics were provided by SFX colleagues from Berlin; my part was the application, the transitions and the colour.

The Process

The five pieces were positioned, applied and bonded to the skin one after another. The edges were worked until they disappear on camera.

Painting followed with alcohol-activated colours, matched to the actor's skin tone and carrying the colour variation that aged skin actually has.

Throughout the preparation the prosthetics were checked against the actor's expression and the planned camera angles.

Materials & Techniques

• Five generic multi-piece silicone prosthetics

• Alcohol-activated colours

• Professional skin-tone makeup products

• Professional prosthetic adhesives for film and theatre

The Result

An ageing transformation that carries the role without slowing the performance. The blended edges hold up in closer shots, on stage as well as in the video shoot.