Heads up: Lifecasting safety tips
Want to lifecast your head? Don't try it at home.
Christina LaFortune- When Christina LaFortune did her lifecast, she was covered in alginate for 30 minutes
- The special effects artists poked nose holes in the alginate so she could breathe
- You may have seen kits for parents to cast their babies' hands or feet. That's lifecasting
What's a lifecast?
It's a permanent, durable, 3-D copy of an actor's body part — such as their head — that can be used for sculpting customized makeup. Think of a witch's bumpy nose, or an alien's sleek brow. When it's created on a lifecast of the actor's face, the finished prosthetic makeup will precisely fit the person's features, allowing movement and expression.
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As a stage actor, I'm used to changing my appearance with wigs and costumes, but recently I took it to the next level. On my quest for character makeup for Halloween and cosplay, I turned to Alan Ostrander, president and creative director of AEO Studios.
As a special effects artist, Ostrander creates larger-than-life characters for film, television, theater and cosplay. He helped me with the lifecast.
For safety reasons, do not try lifecasting your head on your own. This process takes a team of experienced artists who will make your safety their first priority. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
- When your face is covered, it is important to have a responsible person monitoring your breathing, and ready to assist if necessary.
- Never apply plaster bandages directly to skin because it can cause burns.
- Never place straws or other objects in your nostrils.
- Some people may have allergic sensitivities, so a skin patch test should be done prior to a full lifecasting.
For lifecasting classes and services at AEO Studios, visit aeostudios.com.
LaFortune hosts "The FLORIDA TODAY Show" on WEFS.
Contact LaFortune at 321-242-3886
or clafortune@floridatoday.com.
Twitter: @lafortunec
