Anyone looking forward to Face Off on SyFy?

[BornKilr]

Been seeing a lot of ads for this new show about Special FX makeup artists competing starting Jan 26 on SyFy. Being really into prosthetic makeups, I'm (cautiously) looking forward to this show, but am really afraid they are going to ruin it by concentrating more on the fabricated tension and backstage b***hing than actually showing much of the makeup part. I used to watch Monster House to see the Hollywood prop and set artists do their magic, until they too started showing more of the back-biting than the actual builds. Maybe SyFy will take the high road, but I have my doubts.

 

[WarPig]

Take a look at the current crop of "reality shows" and think it over.

Might be fun to watch, though.

 

[the_batdemon]

I am. I was wondering the other day what Patrick Tatopoulos was doing(instead of getting his design book out).

 

[darthgordon]

This is the first I've heard of it... it could be interesting to be sure... perhaps even informative. Although I am loath to think I could actually be interested in a reality TV show.

 

[BornKilr]

Take a look at the current crop of "reality shows" and think it over.

Might be fun to watch, though.

That's why I am hesitant about even trying it. I'm proud to say I've never seen a single episode of Idol, Dancing, Survivor or any of their b**tard step children that permeate TV and every other form of media these days. Unless you count "Fear Factor". Guess I just like watching people eat weird crap and puke on national TV. But who doesn't?

 

[WarPig]

That's why I am hesitant about even trying it. I'm proud to say I've never seen a single episode of Idol, Dancing, Survivor or any of their b**tard step children that permeate TV and every other form of media these days. Unless you count "Fear Factor". Guess I just like watching people eat weird crap and puke on national TV. But who doesn't?

I'm also a proud member of that club! I didn't know what a "Snookie" was until my B-I-L told me :lol

 

[the_batdemon]

I'm also a proud member of that club! I didn't know what a "Snookie" was until my B-I-L told me :lol

They explained it pretty well on South Park.

 

[propsculptor]

Patrick Tatopoulos has closed up his FX Studio and is going to focus on Directing movies instead of doing Creature FX for them (I know because I bought a lot of items from his studio) as far as the Design Book he was doing, I'm waiting to buy a copy myself IF it's ever released, I've contacted the publisher several times and received No response at all...

I am. I was wondering the other day what Patrick Tatopoulos was doing(instead of getting his design book out).

 

[the_batdemon]

Yeah, I figured he got the directing bug after the Underworld movie he did. I'd wager the book never comes out, which would be a shame.

 

[BornKilr]

Well, saw the premiere last night and must say it turned out exactly like I expected, I'm disappointed to say. The part that (to me) would have been interesting – showing the actual creation and application of the makeups, was done in high speed time lapse shots. I assume it was so they would have more time to show everyone complaining about each other. Even the judges had to get in on the act. There's no doubt these people have talent, its just a shame you won't get to see it except in the finished pieces. Maybe next week I'll record it and watch back the makeup builds in slow-mo. With the sound off.

 

[Wolfie]

I'm gonna watch it, we'll see how long I keep watching it though!

 

[BornKilr]

Well, last night I couldn't take it. I had to turn off the sound and put in some music and just watch what little of the makeup technique they actually show. Guess this is how I'll have to continue until that no longer works, then I'll bail and just rewatch the videos of "MegaMovie Magic" that I saw awhile back on the net.

 

[mrbungle]

last night 's show was rough. more technique less drama. i really do not care who wants to blow who.

 

[niennumb1]

I'm just glad that pompous Frank is gone now! He seemed pretty excited about it too. That guy lacks any ability to work effectively with anyone and he is a huge fan of taking shortcuts and wasting time.

 

[weaponx82]

Yeah, I'd have to agree with BornKIlr.

There's so much potential to see some really cool work but they set up this artificial environment where everyone has to work together but have to compete. It's the perfect formula for drama and BS to start.

I've only seen the premiere but from what I'm reading from some people's posts, it sounds like there's a little promise to see some of the actual work that's being done.

 

[weaponx82]

Watching the premiere and the some of the application videos, I thought, some of these people are not representative of the community. Some of them came off as pretty cocky and full of themselves. Which is probably why there were picked.

If they picked all people that worked well together there would be nothing to shoot. Oh wait, I forgot about that actual projects they're be working on.

 

[Wolfie]

I'm just glad that pompous Frank is gone now! He seemed pretty excited about it too. That guy lacks any ability to work effectively with anyone and he is a huge fan of taking shortcuts and wasting time.

I think him being excited was just more of his pompous facade. the end where he was leaving, his eyes were red and upset and he talked about changing his ways. So he was hit a little harder by it then he showed.

I have to agree though I am super glad , and now maybe the show will be better for it.

 

[Vermithrax 4]

There have been some semi-interesting creative aspects about it but basically the whole show is a sad farce, having these people "cooperate" while at the same time competing with each other. WTF? Yeah, the judges can chide them for not "pulling together" and tell them that "cooperation is essential in the SPFX makeup world"...but when you're part of team on a film project there's no competition with each other involved and you're being PAID well to do the project, not to mention you normally have someone who is in charge of the team. No, that whole show is in no way representative of the real world of film makeup, just another excuse to televise a bunch of drama.

 

[Kylash]

especially when they are not rewarded as a team, even as a team only ONE person gets the recognition each time.