Backstage

Here are step by step illustrated instructions on how I made the noses for a few characters of the Palio of Pomarance.

Since this is a play which did not require the likely make-up make-up film, and being the nose part of the face little flexible and deformable, I thought it was not necessary to use latex foam to achieve this type of prosthesis, but could also work well on liquid latex precured.

The first step in the realization of the prosthesis was then the study design (the whole show was created and developed around a comic) and the creation of the model.

Even with the positive provision of a nose (my! 🙂 ) plaster work on, and that I used as reference for the size, for convenience I made a table of all PVC (my kitchen cutting board).

After the modeling phase of the clay (Here I used the very common Pongo) and recreated a thin orange peel to simulate the effect of the skin, I used the cutout of the base of a bottle to surround the model and create a containment for the casting, as well suited in size, and then I poured the plaster to get the impression.

At this stage it is important to ensure that small air bubbles inevitably present in the water / gypsum leave, thus avoiding that create imperfections to the mold. To do this, fully paid after the plaster into the mold, just beat vigorously on the basis of which it supported the model, creating vibrations.

Obtained the mold and removing the model pose, which will leave the imprint 'clean', you can proceed to the first molding.

To do this you must pay a minimum amount of liquid latex mold inside, and then moving the same to make the latex go to cover only the areas concerned, preventing or oozing from the mold is at the bottom.

The mold should be left to air dry (if you want you can speed up the processs with a hair dryer) and at the end all be exposed to the latex powdered with talcum powder or neutral boron-. This will prevent the latex from sticking to itself during the extraction.
Generally a single layer of latex is very thin and is not sufficient to ensure that the prosthesis has achieved the required consistency, to make it more rigid, you can create other levels following the first, but left margins after 'climbing’ the distance 1/2 mm from the edge of the previously created, to ensure that the edges, remaining thinner, risultimo invisible once pasted.

Once you reach the desired thickness, powder for remembering everything well, you can proceed, by lifting a corner of the latex and shoved under a brush full of talcum powder, to pull the nose of the mold.
What should be done by becoming aware that the objectivity achieved not fold on itself, sticking beyond repair.
Below is presented as a separate noses from the plaster, ready to be applied and colored.

The Palio of Pomarance, less famous than that of Siena, but certainly equally spectacular, Each year sees challenge in theater the city's inhabitants divided into four districts, assessed at the end of the event by a jury of industry professionals.
Also this year (I had already worked with the district of 'The Centre’ in 2008) I took part in the realization of the performance as head of makeup, assisted in the execution of the make-up of actors and extras from Giorgia and two girls of the district.
Makeup and costumes are original inspiration in the comic 'Cavalier of Gommasgonfia', in which Don Quixote, after a period of inactivity, back into the spotlight, But in a society that no longer belong to him anymore, driven by love for his Dulcinea will be to challenge a world dominated by technology.
The show takes place in a choreography and then strictly in black and white, to remind the viewer the idea of ​​comics, bulwark of amusement yesterday that the company wants to challenge what it is today, the wrong side of the multimedia: chat e interent, strictly color.
So,the show was held, the length of just over 20 minutes, that has staged 87 between actors and extras, All make-up on the spot and eventually won the Palio as a better representation.
All the characters have been loaded with water-based paints, the bottom of which is lying on the sponge or airbrush, and to complete the trick has been applied prosthetic noses made of latex (Hence the creation of the backstage) , cap, mustaches and beards.
To fix the makeup on your face I used the hairspray, that has been sorely tested by the hot temperatures of the day.