Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: Makeup for small stage

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Makeup for small stage

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2977
Printed Date: 5/14/25 at 5:50pm
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Topic: Makeup for small stage

Posted By: Debflo
Subject: Makeup for small stage
Date Posted: 2/15/08 at 2:07pm

Hey everyone! I have a quick question for you all... I am going to need to do some old age makeup for an upcoming show. I do know the basics, however I was trained in makeup for a much larger stage. This show is on a fairly small stage. I realize that in a small stage setting the makeup needs to be handled differently. I will need to do some aging makeup though, (as I am 28 and playing a 50-60 year old woman... ) Do any of you have any tips, tricks, or books you recommend for doing aging makeup in a small space? Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

Replies:

Posted By: neilfortin
Date Posted: 2/15/08 at 2:11pm

liquid latex looks pretty good even up close for wrinkles. Similar to the effect of liquid scar...it constricts the skin under it. Use this plus a toned-down version of your tradtional old age makup...it will look pretty realistic. We used it for a 150 member audience about 10 feet away from the stage.

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Community Theater makes us smile

Posted By: TonyDi
Date Posted: 2/15/08 at 3:56pm

The only drawback to using straight liquid latex is that it's rather hard on the skin. And many people have reaction to it whether they know or not that they have an actual allergy to it. There is a modified OLD AGE STIPPLE product you can buy on the market or a variety of other less harsh things you can use - there is a version using Green Marbl Sealor and other ingredients. The version I've used for years was developed by Dick Smith for his use in films including DAD with Jack Lemmon, The Godfather and a host of other movies he did - including The Hunger with David Bowie in that series of aging makeups throughout the film. I think he started with it also in AMADEUS on F. Murray Abraham.

At any rate it uses foam latex BASE mixed with Gelatin, and some other ingredients. Check my website for this photo tutorial about how to make it and how it's applied for a stage play of BROADWAY BOUND by Neil Simon in a small, intimate, barely 120 plus seat theater.

http://sapsema.org/broadbnd.html - http://sapsema.org/broadbnd.html

This will give you the process in detail plus a link to another page with the formula for making the old age stipple. Kryolan sells their version of it too - many of the ones on the market are more "plastic based" than latex based - some better than others. THIS one I know works but it takes a while to apply. STILL not the greatest thing to age the face but it works without the extreme harshness of straight latex.

If you need some ideas and help let me know.

TonyDi

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"Almost famous"

Posted By: GElliott
Date Posted: 3/09/08 at 2:59pm

Tony,

Thanks, I was about to post a similar question and your link should really help alot. I needed close-up old age techniques.

Thanks again.

Gene