Light and Dark Makeup
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=3037
Printed Date: 5/24/25 at 2:25am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Light and Dark Makeup
Posted By: Lorna
Subject: Light and Dark Makeup
Date Posted: 3/12/08 at 7:44am
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Hiya guys, Im the wife of an Elvis impersonator and friend of many others and would desperately like some tips or someone to point me in the right direction on how to get an Elvisy effect.
To give you an idea of what I mean, please see this well known ETA (Elvis Tribute Artist) below, his makeup is outstanding! This is him normally: 
This is him in makeup!  
I know the wigs add a lot to it but I would love to know how to do it, even if it means going on loads of courses but where do I start? ------------- Lil rockin Elvis fan |
Replies:
Posted By: TonyDi
Date Posted: 3/13/08 at 8:10am
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Well Lorna, one of the primary and key issues in ANY impersonation makeup, is that FIRST AND FOREMOST that the person has as close as possible facial features as can be had to the original person they're trying to impersonate. I HAVE seen some actors who have what I class as "generic" faces - that is faces with great bone structure, great form and line to be able to enhance, pronounce and promote features that are of what could be considered a caricaturistic nature - bringing out features that are prominent on the person they're impersonating while reducing other features which are not. Couple that with proper wigs and costumes and "attitude" and I've seen them pull off pretty good renditions of the original KNOWING full well it's NOT the original.
As for WHAT makeup - well it's not a matter of WHAT but rather a matter of HOW. Again you MUST begin with an actor who looks enough like EL to impersonate him. Elvis was part American Indian as I recall and had high cheekbones. JAWLINE was strong and sculpted. Always seemed to be well tanned and "healthy" looking, with deep dark eyes. ALL his features were very masculine even though (often thanks to airbrushing and gauze filters) his skin tone was smooth and clear. STRIKINGLY handsome features - beyond the norm actually, but rugged, manly and powerful looking. A LOT of it is attitude, style, imitation which is ENHANCED by similar looks and body shape (he was usually always in pretty good shape physically) which would require minimal makeup to achieve. I SUGGEST that you get some photos of Elvis - straight, head on and even profile if you can find any, and get someone who knows how to manipulate photos in Photoshop, overlay Elvis' photo on the person who is the impersonator and see how the two match up physically which REALLY REALLY helps to give you the idea of what has to be done to what features to get them to look like the person they're portraying. That's a REAL tell-tale process. I suspect you're NOT talking about using prosthetics to achieve what is NOT there naturally. Prosthetics, done by a professional and done right, CAN help. But that's a temporary thing that becomes a process. Straight makeup will do NOTHING more than alter or diminish what is LEAST like the features of the original on an impersonator but often only works directionally. I've seen impersonation makeups done that look GREAT head on - like a photographic portrait shot. But turn to either side in profile and the illusion is totally gone. THAT is a real consideration.
It would take a GOOD makeup artist quite a bit of time to get the makeup to a point that takes it from being artificial to believable BUT ONLY on a face that is as close to the original as you can possibly get. I can't recall who it was now that played him in a movie some years ago - Kurt Russell maybe - who looked a lot like Elvis but is so distinctively recognizable that you knew it was Kurt, but he had the style, the attitude, the moves, the "look' down enough with minimal makeup work, as to be acceptable.
This guy you show photos of - if that TRULY is him in makeup, then I suspect that he looks enough like Elvis in basic look, general bone structure and form, to pull this off with just simple makeup work - well not simple....but minimal, enhancing with wigs and costumes. We've ALL seen too many BAAAAADDD Elvis impersonators I'm sure. But makeup can only do so much. And as I said, at the BASIC it's about enhancing and pronouncing those features that are MOST like Elvis' and hiding or diminishing those features that can never be close to his look. The rest is performance.
HARD to say what is done or how it's done. I'd LOVE to know if the guy shown uses prosthetics or not. THAT CAN be employed but only if you have a professional makeup artist who knows how to work with the most believable of tools available to give the most realistic and believable finished product when applied. THEN you have a LOT of factors to deal with when using those as well but that's another whole book. I'd say a lot of it is trial and error to "get" the look needed - not so much WHAT to use, but how to use what you have to make that work.
Good luck with it though. Research is good - look for impersonators who do these kinds of transformations and see if you can find tutorials (I've never seen any but who knows).
TonyDi
P.S.
Meant to also say that THIS guy shown is one of the very best I've EVER seen for Elvis. Looks just like him - trusting he has the voice, the moves and the body for it. A red head with a goatee, and he transforms into THIS version of Elvis? Amazing.
P.S.S.
Meant to also say further that Elvis ALWAYS looked like he was wearing makeup (and he likely was) whether he was on or not - publicly I'd say he did. And I'd venture he had his hair dyed jet black, his eyebrows and maybe even his eyelashes. Such DARK expressive eyes - maybe not the eyes themselves - they were blue weren't they? Don't remember. But always looked made up to me. And that lower lip - prominent, full, seems highlighted all the time even in the photos above as a prominent feature. Again finding the features to enhance and pronounce and diminish those that don't work for the look. ------------- "Almost famous" |
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 3/13/08 at 9:45am
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There are many books available on make-up techniques, but unless you are skilled and practised, understanding the concept of highlight and shadow won't help you in the actual application. (Likewise, I could buy a book on how Rembrandt did his paintings, but the likelihood of me actually DUPLICATING such work is slim to none.)
I see you live in the UK. There are many studios, theaters and cabarets where you can find resources. I think your best bet is to find a reputable makeup artist who specializes in celebrity impersonations (and/or drag queens -- no offense -- but their makeup is often INCREDIBLE). Explain to this artist that you want them to "design" a makeup for your husband and then "instruct" you on its application. Most makeup artists I know would relish the challenge and love to show off their craft. Specify if you want the transformation with or without prosthetics (typically latex applications that can alter or build up noses, chins, cheekbones, etc). Of course, this might be expensive, but probably no more so than enrolling in weeks of classes (and, most likely requiring to buy make-up "kits" that contain stuff you'll never use). The advantage is you will only be spending money on exactly what you need and you'll be receiving expert instruction on its specific application. If you go the prosthetic route -- beware -- the pieces tend to deteriorate with over-use and must be re-molded. The makeup artist would typically keep the molds on file and refill them (like a doctor's prescription), but will charge you for time and material to make them each time. The makeup artist might also have connections to wig-makers and costumers who can help create the illusion. Good luck! ------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 3/13/08 at 11:05am
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G'day Lorna
For actual make up courses & specific needs try theses sites in the UK, the 3 Kings especialy. I'm sure Mike will help you out.;-
In Covent Garden London;-
http://www.charlesfox.co.uk/Home.html - http://www.charlesfox.co.uk/Home.html
or
------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: TonyDi
Date Posted: 3/13/08 at 2:30pm
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As mentioned, foam latex appliances are expensive and NOT the best way anymore. The BEST way is to use SILICONE GEL FILLED APPLIANCES sometime which CAN be reused, look much more natural, they're translucent, they wear VERY well and can be recreated in an hours time compared to many hours time with foam latex processes. If you need the names of some repuatable makeup artists in the UK let me know and I'll gladly send you some names. Just depends upon where in the UK you are....in proximity to them. But I know several and can certain pass YOUR contact information along and/or theirs on to you. And Topper is right. You can have all the books on the market, all the supplies and materials you need to do these, but if you don't have the skills (this is a lifelong craft and artform that takes years to develop skills to do well) then you would do well to seek out someone who is already well qualified and set up to be able to produce these things as needed, when needed - but the cost will still remain relatively high. EVEN a qualified straight makeup artist who is capable with "paint and powder" (you get my drift) might be able to help but at a cost - still less than what you'd pay in time, schooling and effort on your own. ------------- "Almost famous" |