Posessed Look In Constantine

[PC]

I need to create the effect of veins bulged out on face under extreme stress (something like that of possessed character in the hero introduction scene in the film CONSTANTINE) Does anyone Know how it is done in constantine? Thanks

[blckhawk542]

CGI and/or rotoscoping

those are the only ways that i could think of..because they fade away after a few seconds..

[PC]

I thought it is done in make up. Only in the finishing shot the face change to normal and that can be executed with a morph between the footages(Shoot the action with makeup and repeat the action again with out make up in the same angle. It is easy because the BG is static bed and no actions). In all other shots the effwect is there from begining to end and lot of movements are there for the charector. So shooting something and doing a CG enhancement is going to be extremly difficult.

[Logan LeBlanc]

On the DVD extras for the short "BROKEN" the makeup chick uses something (don't remember the name of it) to make the scar across the guys face. When I get home I can check. It can't be that expensive I suppose.

[PC]

In case of scar effecs(that we created very convincingly) I have seen there are wrinkles and small dip on the surface with prominent burnout colour (so it is relatively easy to get away with). What I am looking for is a bulge with exat skin tone.

[Brandt_Wilson]

Rigid collodian was used for the scar effect in Broken.

If you want a raised veiny effect, hmm....maybe sculp the veins you want on a smooth surface, seal it and cast it. Use gelatine and build up the appliance. Glue on with more gelatine. Very inexpensive.

If you want to see the veins actually distend, you will need a bladder system. A bit trickier. I've done it before with so-so results. In a nutshell:
Draw a template on a piece of paper in the shape of the desired effect, then draw another outline about 1/4" bigger around the outside. Make sure that there is a feeder spot where you will hook up your air supply.
Duplicate the inner pattern on a piece of wax paper and cut it out in one piece.
Lay a sheet of glass over the template
Paint several coats of latex over the outer pattern. Build up enough thickness to make it a bit rigid and try to maintain a feathered edge.
Lay the wax paper over the inner template. It should hold itself down.
Paint more latex over the wax paper and latex already on the glass. Build this up, but not quite as much as the bottom layer. You want it to flex more. Don't paint over the end of the feeder tube end...you want it to remain open.

You will need to create a thin gelatine or latex appliance to cover the bladder and create a natural looking skin. I prefered foamed products for this. Make it as thin as you can manage to apply.

Powder and gently remove the latex. Insert a thin straw or tubing into the feeder portion of the latex. Seal it. Connect the other end of the tube to an infant nose bulb or syringe.

Glue to the skin of the forehead. The feeder tube will disappear into the hairline or under a cap, or go to the off-camera side of the face. Glue it on with something like Pros-Aid or silicone adhesive. You don't want this to peel up as you inflate it.

Glue on the appliance. Glue over the skin and the bladder system.
Blend and makeup the appliance.

Test the bladder. Don't overinflate. It will pop. It happened on Michael Jackson's Thriller video after hours of application, so it happens to the best.

Obviously, this quick tut lacks the subtlety to make the effect really gorgeous, but this is where the skill and enginuity of the artist comes into play.

Also see Special Makeup Effects by Vincent Kehoe. This topic is covered in depth.
http://www.getspfx.com/Special%20Make-up%20Effects%20by%20Vincent%20J-R%20Kehoe.asp.