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Switching focus from specific applications to situational processes this week, and with a
zombie walk and haunted attractions kicking up planning here in Memphis already, let's talk a little
bit about ways to apply make-up quickly and efficiently to large groups of people, and in this
article, let's focus on Zombie Walks.
1) Set Realistic Goals for your Budget and Time
First thing’s first, remember that films and TV shows like The Walking Dead have one fx artist
working per one zombie actor for two hours at a time, at least. They are also working in a climate
controlled trailer or studio during applications and make up. Yes, there’s always last looks and
touch ups outside before cameras roll or between takes, but it’s very, very little getting done at
those times and also very, very rushed. Zombie walks are about serving as many as quickly and
efficient as possible. For this very reason, any who come to you needing make up needs to
understand that you are going to do a “freshly turned” zombie look at best. There’s no time to
achieve a decent or even easily recognizably old, decayed zombie look.
Also, about half of the participants tend to do their own make up ahead of time, and that’s
fine. They’ll probably do latex, foam or silicone applications – great! They saved you from working
on them, and you need to hold to that line of thinking. Unless you have an army of make up techs
to help, again, you have no time to treat them all or any to focused, time-heavy applications. More
importantly, you don’t have time to figure out who is allergic to liquid latex, spirit gum, Rigid
Collodion or not, either. Do not tempt fate. Stick to your non-toxic make ups, airbrush supplies
(more on that in a moment) and fake blood.
zombie walk and haunted attractions kicking up planning here in Memphis already, let's talk a little
bit about ways to apply make-up quickly and efficiently to large groups of people, and in this
article, let's focus on Zombie Walks.
1) Set Realistic Goals for your Budget and Time
First thing’s first, remember that films and TV shows like The Walking Dead have one fx artist
working per one zombie actor for two hours at a time, at least. They are also working in a climate
controlled trailer or studio during applications and make up. Yes, there’s always last looks and
touch ups outside before cameras roll or between takes, but it’s very, very little getting done at
those times and also very, very rushed. Zombie walks are about serving as many as quickly and
efficient as possible. For this very reason, any who come to you needing make up needs to
understand that you are going to do a “freshly turned” zombie look at best. There’s no time to
achieve a decent or even easily recognizably old, decayed zombie look.
Also, about half of the participants tend to do their own make up ahead of time, and that’s
fine. They’ll probably do latex, foam or silicone applications – great! They saved you from working
on them, and you need to hold to that line of thinking. Unless you have an army of make up techs
to help, again, you have no time to treat them all or any to focused, time-heavy applications. More
importantly, you don’t have time to figure out who is allergic to liquid latex, spirit gum, Rigid
Collodion or not, either. Do not tempt fate. Stick to your non-toxic make ups, airbrush supplies
(more on that in a moment) and fake blood.
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2) Plan for the Weather
99% of the time, unless you have scored a
huge, indoor mall or arena for use, your zombie
walk is going to be outside and completely out
in whatever weather is going on (or, if
storming, not at all, of course). For this very
reasoning, if you have electric outlets, and if
you are assured of no rain, use airbrush paints
and stencils, if you can. You can service a ton
more participants in great designs and
intricacies than free hand. If you don’t have
access to electricity (a generator or a car
convertor with enough voltage), and if there’s a
solid chance of rain, don’t bother with airbrush
paints at all. I’ve been part of a flash flood that
soaked and nearly ruined my airbrush
supplies. Don’t chance it. The grease paints
will also hold up better to the extra moisture.
3) Applying Make-up Quickly
Your next best friends will be using your
stipple sponges, Q-tips, dark red and purple
grease paints and small, art brushes for
techniques I’ve previously described such as
quick bite marks, lacerations and so on. You
can still use stencils (airbrush kinds or
otherwise) against skin and brush or sponge
over just as effectively.
99% of the time, unless you have scored a
huge, indoor mall or arena for use, your zombie
walk is going to be outside and completely out
in whatever weather is going on (or, if
storming, not at all, of course). For this very
reasoning, if you have electric outlets, and if
you are assured of no rain, use airbrush paints
and stencils, if you can. You can service a ton
more participants in great designs and
intricacies than free hand. If you don’t have
access to electricity (a generator or a car
convertor with enough voltage), and if there’s a
solid chance of rain, don’t bother with airbrush
paints at all. I’ve been part of a flash flood that
soaked and nearly ruined my airbrush
supplies. Don’t chance it. The grease paints
will also hold up better to the extra moisture.
3) Applying Make-up Quickly
Your next best friends will be using your
stipple sponges, Q-tips, dark red and purple
grease paints and small, art brushes for
techniques I’ve previously described such as
quick bite marks, lacerations and so on. You
can still use stencils (airbrush kinds or
otherwise) against skin and brush or sponge
over just as effectively.
Most of the time when zombie walks occur
during the year (unless you are so lucky to have
an indoor arena with some air conditioning), you
will have yourself many sweaty participants
wanting their make up done. Have towels of
some kind for this exact reason. Sweat will be
your enemy trying to do any airbrush or grease
paint applications. Yes, sweat will eventually
make any make up run after the fact, but sweaty
(or lotion moisturized or lots of beauty make up
on) skin will prevent you from having any kind of
ease creating desired looks in the first place. Oh,
and if you are so bold and stubborn as to still
trying to do heavy latex, foam or silicone
appliances in such conditions, you’ll learn your
lesson because sweaty skin will make you hate
that you ever even thought about it.
No matter what, though, definitely take heed
of this advice: Nothing helps out more creating a
fresh zombie than having a dead, emaciated look
along with a look that they’ve been feeding or
attacking already, too. This is best achieved by
always hitting/doing make up on or around the
three most judged features of humans – Eyes,
Mouth, Finger(tip)s. We don’t always realize it,
but psychologically we really do judge safety,
trust or fear of others by how their eyes, mouth
(teeth, too) and fingers look.
during the year (unless you are so lucky to have
an indoor arena with some air conditioning), you
will have yourself many sweaty participants
wanting their make up done. Have towels of
some kind for this exact reason. Sweat will be
your enemy trying to do any airbrush or grease
paint applications. Yes, sweat will eventually
make any make up run after the fact, but sweaty
(or lotion moisturized or lots of beauty make up
on) skin will prevent you from having any kind of
ease creating desired looks in the first place. Oh,
and if you are so bold and stubborn as to still
trying to do heavy latex, foam or silicone
appliances in such conditions, you’ll learn your
lesson because sweaty skin will make you hate
that you ever even thought about it.
No matter what, though, definitely take heed
of this advice: Nothing helps out more creating a
fresh zombie than having a dead, emaciated look
along with a look that they’ve been feeding or
attacking already, too. This is best achieved by
always hitting/doing make up on or around the
three most judged features of humans – Eyes,
Mouth, Finger(tip)s. We don’t always realize it,
but psychologically we really do judge safety,
trust or fear of others by how their eyes, mouth
(teeth, too) and fingers look.
If grungy or messy in any way in those areas, a person becomes instantly someone you are
apprehensive of. For these exact reasons, you can create fast, effective zombies by using red and/or
purple grease paints to darken and deaden out eye sockets, natural other depths of the face and, of
course, creating grunginess and fake blood applied to their mouths and fingers. I have a gut feeling
that with AMC’s new show, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, we will all see the exact same principals at
work for fx because the show is going to focus on the very beginning of people becoming undead
affected. Other films such as THE HORDE or 28 DAYS LATER use the same simplicity.
Overall, some runny make up with fake blood by the end of the walk (or even the start of it,
honestly) will just look more fitting of the whole event, so don’t worry about it. It’s not being looked at
or judged like a film, so relax and have fun. Such events are about mass participation and just
enjoying yourselves. As a make up artist, you will still learn a lot, I promise. You will absolutely come
away from it with new ideas, techniques and wisdom because nothing is better than learning by doing.
Duane P. Craig is a writer and special FX artist in Memphis, TN and has been working in the
independent film industry since 2003.
apprehensive of. For these exact reasons, you can create fast, effective zombies by using red and/or
purple grease paints to darken and deaden out eye sockets, natural other depths of the face and, of
course, creating grunginess and fake blood applied to their mouths and fingers. I have a gut feeling
that with AMC’s new show, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, we will all see the exact same principals at
work for fx because the show is going to focus on the very beginning of people becoming undead
affected. Other films such as THE HORDE or 28 DAYS LATER use the same simplicity.
Overall, some runny make up with fake blood by the end of the walk (or even the start of it,
honestly) will just look more fitting of the whole event, so don’t worry about it. It’s not being looked at
or judged like a film, so relax and have fun. Such events are about mass participation and just
enjoying yourselves. As a make up artist, you will still learn a lot, I promise. You will absolutely come
away from it with new ideas, techniques and wisdom because nothing is better than learning by doing.
Duane P. Craig is a writer and special FX artist in Memphis, TN and has been working in the
independent film industry since 2003.