Tips for Zombie costumes?

Soundwave

Soundwave

Sr Member
Me and my friends are thinking of going to this years party dressed as Zombies.

I know zombies are relatively simple and easy to do, but there's a good zombie...and then there's GREAT zombies.
Does anyone have any tips/pics of anything good that you've done before (or heard about) to make it look realistic or something different that's impressed the crowds at all?

Any tips are really appreciated and I think this thread could make a great show off thread.

So, has anyone got anything to share? :)
 
Liquid latex, thixo, karo syrup blood, red paint,theatrical face paint..

zombie1.jpg


zombie2.jpg

zombie3.jpg

zombie4.jpg

zombie5.jpg
 
Wow! That's way more disturbing than any zombie I've ever seen.

Well, personally, I've always liked the sort of albino, white out contacts that give the impression that not only have the eyes dried out and a film like cataracts have formed over them, but it gives the impression of a souless creature. The only problem is that in order to acheive that look, you'd have to use contacts that have no opening to see through. So the only way to get around that is to use the ones that have pupils. Still looks pretty good. Just not as realistic.

I hate red contacts on a zombie. They look cheesy and there's no reason a corpse would have red eyes.

Coloring teeth is also something that works pretty well.

Aside from that, decide at what stage of death you're at. Are you pretty much a fresh corpse, or have you been rotting for a while? How did you die (wounds)? Have you been feeding on anyone (blood around the mouth)? What were you in life?

Dead bodies are typically pale/ slightly gray or even have a yellowish tinge to them. Stay away from blue, it's just too comical. Try to achieve a sort of sunken eye look by darkening the area around them slightly and highlight the cheekbones.

If you really want to get crazy, you can view pictures of real dead bodies to get a better idea of what they look like, but that's if you're really dedicated.
 
The zombie Wolverine at DC this year looked killer. I just saw a picture but I was impressed with his face. I always loved the ripped cheek/lips. White out lens all the way but being blind kinda makes that unpractical.

Thanks!

Greg
 
Birdie said:
Liquid latex, thixo, karo syrup blood, red paint,theatrical face paint..

zombie1.jpg


zombie2.jpg

zombie3.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow those look fantastic! The gaping wound in your arm looks pretty realistic and gory too! So just pretty much layering what you've got works best for flesh wounds?
What's the syrup blood like? I've never used it before, does it dry at all and does it stick well to you or will it be dripping around everywhere for the rest of the night...like if you brush up against something? (We're probably starting at mine and we have white carpets you see ;))

Thank you everyone else who has chimed in too. DarthG I too like the look of white-eyed Zombies too and have started to look around for possible contact lenses, but have found the same problem of seeing through pure white ones. The white with small pupil looks alright too, but as you said not as effective as the pure white ones...hmmm! Thanks for all the good advice too, I appreciate it!
 
It's probably best to avoid using fake blood very much if you are in a situation where expensive decor is involved :)

When we were making our movie, most of the wounds were painted first, then the blood applied to make it look fresh and create different tones. A little blue and black paint or ink also helps to create depth, and is good for things like bullet wounds.

A few layers of liquid latex applied with a brush will give you a 'second skin' that you can tear to create flaps and other effects.

To create wounds you will really need some thixo to add to the latex. Most places that sell liquid latex should sell thixo. You mix it in with the latex to create a thick paste, which you can layer as required. It does have a longer setting time, though.

Trial and error is the best way forward.

Good luck!
 
White out lens all the way but being blind kinda makes that unpractical.
Click to expand...

I've wondered if it isn't possible to make the white out over the pupils dotted like they do for solid colour "natural" lenses. It would at least offer some vision and even if some of the pupil is seen it won't be as glaring as a single large hole, and if graduated from the edge of the pupil in really not that obvious at all. Same with black out lenses. Never understood why there are none where the edges are dotted out (matrixed? Like matrix printers?) . I've seen a few photos were the edge is really visible, this would prevent that.
If not for general sale maybe for the movie industry.

Speaking of which, I get my CL script renewed tomorrow for my own purchase of FX lenses. Pretty boring ones but my first pair! I don't think my optician would let me by schleral ones that I really need though.
 
Thanks for all your help guys, it really is appreciated and all very helpful!! And I like your suggestions on the lenses Mdb, so I'll have to check that out too! Thanks!

And yes JediG60racer those are the best zombies ever!! ;)
 
Here are some zombie make-ups that I did. Some were for a local haunted house and some are for a TV project. They are all done with basic zombie style foam latex prosthetics and contact lenses. Let me know if you have any questions about what you see. I'm happy to give you tips...
ZombieTest149.jpg
ZombieTest315.jpg
ZombieTest327.jpg
Make-ups2254.jpg
ZombieTest516.jpg
 
Euugghhhh!! I agree with Darth Gordon...I aint gonna sleep tonight...

But of course in this case...that's a good thing! :)

Fantastic job you've done here....great lookin' zombies! Thanks for taking the time out to share these wicked photographs of your work!!
 
TheGuyver said:
Euugghhhh!! I agree with Darth Gordon...I aint gonna sleep tonight...

But of course in this case...that's a good thing! :)

Fantastic job you've done here....great lookin' zombies! Thanks for taking the time out to share these wicked photographs of your work!!
Click to expand...

No sleep? My work here is done! lol Thanks guys for the kudos...
 
here is a pic of the zombie i did for my students. it was cool teaching like this...i just got a piece from a costume/makeup place and used prosaid to apply it.

don't believe anyone that tells you that latex pieces can be applied with spirit gum. they will "melt" off. spirit gum is derived from tree sap and becomes thinned with sweat...so it'll stay put for a couple hours (if you're lucky and don't prespire much). and alcohol will speed up the process.

spend the extra money and get prosaid.

chimei
 
Well done with the makeup and prosthetics. Looks awesome! From someone who grew up in the theatre, I wish I had learnt some of these skills, makes my old work look basic, no pics as I was only a teenager when I started.

Kind regards
Boushhfan
 
Thanks Greg, those links are awesome...really useful stuff! I dunno about wearing week old buried clothes though!! :lol

Thanks for the tips also chimei, don't know whether you noticed, but it doesn't look like you posted your pic...would love to see it though!!
 
Here is a pic of the zombie I did for DC. An Umbrella Corp janitor zombie.

quag_zombie_hallway_2.jpg


quag_zombie_mop.jpg


The make up was fairly simple but effective. It was gray, black, and bone creme foundations. The claw marks on the side of the head were done with liquid latex and tissue. The blood in the wound and face were done with blood paste. The blood effects on the clothing is transparent cloth paint used for air brushing. It's a mix of crimson red and chocolate brown.

The reason so many zombies have no eyebrows is because they are often given latex prosthetics to give that mean brow furrow. Similar to the vampires in Buffy.

Ultimately, you have to decide on the type of zombie you are trying to achieve. There are the zombies from the grave with outdated clothing, dirt and decay. There are the Romero style zombies that have gone from freshly killed or infected to zombie. There are the more supernatural zombies that are more mystic or voodoo based zombies. Often these would have the latex brow and eye socket prosthetics. Then there are all sort of variations on this like Silent Hill or Resident Evil where they have mutations or twists that go beyond that listed before.

Often good zombies are about the attitude of the zombie. Do they have the 1000 yard stare? Do they have a good rage look to them? Nothing worse then seeing a zombie posing for a pic and they are smiling or snickering. Second, the costume is important as well. Often it's the little details that make all the difference. Finally, contact lenses make all the difference in the world.
 
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