The Top SPFX Makeup, Creating Zombies with Cassie Lloyd

There’s no doubt that post-apocalyptic culture has boomed in recent years – with television shows like “The Walking Dead” to thank.

In 2011, the CDC capitalized on zombie fever with a blog post dedicated to preparing for a zombie uprising, driving so much traffic to the page that their servers crashed.

The reason for this popularity may trace back to a surprising source. According to a new analysis research believe that, in fact, zombies may be helping us cope with the aftermath of World War II.

“We use fictional narratives not only to emotionally cope with the possibility of impending doom, but even more importantly perhaps to work through the ethical and philosophical frameworks that were in many ways left shattered in the wake of WWII,” says Angela Becerra Vidergar, Stanford literary scholar.

Although many don’t know the science behind the obsession, the culture continues to prevail: books, television shows, merchandise, and even an obsession with special effects makeup.

Looking dead has never been so cool. Getting the bloodthirsty, flesh-eating look is all the rage – all year round.

People seek out SPFX makeup artists to gore them up for a variety of events and film and television appearances.

Cassie Lloyd is a recent beauty school graduate who specializes in the undead artistry. Here is our exclusive interview with the talented Toronto-based makeup artist:

What sparked your interest in spfx makeup?

I actually really got interested in spfx when I went to the zombie walk with my friend about 6 years ago.  I went out to walmart, bought some cheap prosthetics and did myself up like a zombie and went to the walk.  Had an amazing time too.  I was so amazing at how some people looked, it really sparked my interest for spfx makeup.  Plus I am a huge horror movie fanatic, and always have been so infatuated by the makeup in horror movies every since I was really little, which could also be another reason why I am in the career choice I am in today.  I’m super artistic and I love to paint, so why not paint on peoples faces and create a different style of art.  From that point on I just started practicing and teaching myself more and more.

What path did you take to learn your craft?

I always took art classes all throughout high school and was really involved with the cosmo (hair and makeup) class. So every since day one I have been an extremely artistic person, so I knew when I was older that my career choice would be something along the lines of the arts.

Describe how you perfected your craft? Was it difficult?

When I got first into makeup, some things I taught myself and others I have no clue what to do or use it for.  Being self taught at the beginning was a little difficult but after I went to school for it back in 2012.  Complections was a great school and definitely a large impact on my career, and I am definitely thankful for everything I learnt from that school.  The teachers are all amazing, and I really loved learning from some big names in the industry.  Being hands on every single day for the duration of my time at Complections made me really pick up makeup fx quite fast as well as really helped me become the artist I am today.  After I graduated and started working on a few movies, I really got the hang of this industry at full, working with different people, actors and having budgets.  I picked up on everything so fast that I find schooling really helped me get over that little bump in the road.

What are the key elements to zombie makeup? How long does it take?

A pratical zombie makeup would take about an hour or two, but when it comes to larger makeups with full face and body prostethics it can take up to 4-5 hours to achieve the look.

Some of the key aspects of a zombie makeup would be:

– discolouration of the skin and distinct veins

– pronounced cheek, nose, and eye bones (making the face look sunken in)

– zombie bite or wounded showing how that person died

– blood or blood in mouth (from eating)

– prop body parts (not necessary)

In your industry, what kind of demand is there for zombie/other spfx specialists?

Spfx can be a seasonal job or a regular job.  Certain times of the year can be the busiest and some times can be really slow.  Like for instance.. Around halloween a lot of people are on high demand looking for spfx artist for either halloween makeup looks, or even looking for prop work for haunted houses.  It’s an on and off again job, but you can usual find a lot of work.  Even when it comes to movies, you can have jobs for months and months and then can go a few weeks without anything.  It’s always a hit and miss with finding work in this industry.  Now a days a lot of people are looking for more spfx artists for work because this type of makeup has become extremley popular in the film industry.

Why do you think zombies have become so prevalent today?

Zombies have been around for years ever since George A Romero’s first movie Night of the Living Dead back in 1968.  But over the past 10 years they have become more of an impact to our generation.  I find that the main reason why they’re so prevalent today is the fact that you can really hold a wide imagination to their characteristics and how they are the way they are.  How did it die, who was it before it became a zombie, the imagination runs wild when it comes to these characters.  Everyone young to old knows about zombies, they’re honestly everywhere.  From books, to TV shows, video games, to even annual town events.  Zombies have become a large fictional character to our world.

Where do you hope to take your talent in the future?

One day I hope I will be either living in Vancouver or LA working on sets or in a prop shop sculpting.  I would love to be working along side some amazing directors, and creating outstanding makeups for movies.  I have a big imagination for creatures and making things just based off of nothing.  But I hope one day all my hard work, and love for this job will make my name known in this industry.

How difficult or simple is it to break into spfx for the entertainment industry?

It’s always been difficult for any female getting into special effects because the entire industry is basically run by all men.  It’s funny to say that men are a big impact in the makeup industry but they definitely are.  A good portion of my role models are males (Dick Smith, Rick Baker, Greg Nicotero) and are some of the most amazing makeup artist’s out there.  Getting into the industry is hard at times, but if you work hard and have a good portfolio to back you, you’ll be fine.  You just have to really prove yourself to become something big one day, and freelancing at the beginning is hard.  You have to market yourself in a way that people will tell other people about your work, and then your cliental list will build.  Is it hard being a female in the spfx industry, yes, but at the end of the day I love my job and I’m doing something that makes me happy.  Even if it’s extremely hard to get to my goal.  I will push for it every day.