Syfy’s special-effects makeup competition returns for a seventh season as the contestants explore the darkly delicious theme “Life and Death.” Each week, the contestants will face creative challenges designed to inspire and push their exploration of life, death, rebirth and mortality. In each episode, the contestants design, sculpt, cast, apply and paint elaborate character-defining makeups, and fabricate props, costumes and accessories. Some of the creatures the talented artists will create this season include an angry, twisted tree character; a new animal species; and a reptilian super solider that would fit into the world of G.I. Joe.
The Face Off contestants compete in weekly elimination challenges that whittle them down until only three remain for a finale showdown. The winning artist will receive $100,000, a 2014 Fiat 500 and a VIP package courtesy of Kryolan Professional Make-Up.
I love Face Off because it appeals to my love of all things cinema, science-fiction, horror, adnit also has to do with makeup. The level of talent in each season is astounding and several prior contestants have gone on to great things in the effects makeup industry.
Face Off has an illustrious judging panel that includes multiple Academy Award winner Ve Neill (Beetlejuice, The Hunger Games), industry veteran Glenn Hetrick (Heroes, Legion) and creature designer Neville Page (Avatar, Noah). While Neill takes a partial-season break to work on the latest installment of The Hunger Games franchise, Academy Award-winning makeup artist Lois Burwell (Braveheart) will step in and serve as judge. “Having enjoyed being a viewer of Face Off, I was both excited and thrilled to be invited to join the panel. My delight has surpassed all expectations,” says Burwell.
Actress McKenzie Westmore hosts the competition and her father, legendary makeup artist Michael Westmore (Mask, Star Trek), serves as mentor.
Below are the season 7 “Face Off” contestants:
Barry Mahoney
Age: 33
Hometown & Residence: Southborough, MA
Cig Neutron
Age: 25
Hometown: New Castle, IN
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Damien Zimmerman
Age: 25
Hometown & Residence: Junction City, KS
David O’Connell
Age: 26
Hometown: Coconut Creek, FL
Residence: Orlando, FL
Dina Cimarusti
Age: 28
Hometown: Lake Zurich, IL
Residence: Chicago, IL
Drew Talbot
Age: 29<
Hometown: Wood River, IL
Residence: Pittsburgh, PA
Gabby Leithsceal
Age: 42
Hometown: Perrysburg, OH
Residence: Loveland, OH
George Troester III
Age: 27
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Residence: Panorama City, CA
Gwen Crew
Age: 25
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Residence: Swissvale, PA
Jason Hodges
Age: 27
Hometown: Evans, GA
Residence: Atlanta, GA
Keaghlan Ashley
Age: 24
Hometown & Residence: Oxnard, CA
Rachael Wagner
Age: 24
Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC
Sasha Glasser
Age: 22
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Scott Mitchell
Age: 48
Hometown & Residence: Chicago, IL
Stella Sensel
Age: 34
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Residence: Brooklyn, NY
Vince Niebla
Age: 42
Hometown & Residence: San Diego, CA
Face Off > Syfy > Tuesdays beginning July 22
