An Exciting Reality Show for Sci-Fi and Horror Enthusiasts

Highlights

Face Off is a unique reality competition show that showcases the intricate world of special effects makeup, appealing to both genre fans and a broader audience.

Talented artists participate in a competition where they create incredible special effects (SFX) appearances inspired by specific themes. Esteemed industry experts evaluate and select the winners. The show illuminates the remarkable imagination and skill of the participants.

Face Off offers a captivating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes journey of crafting SFX makeups. It grants viewers the opportunity to fully grasp the expertise and artistry required to give life to characters.

Reality TV, specifically reality competition shows, are widely popular. However, there are few that cater to fans of genre media like fantasy, sci-fi, or horror. It is a challenge to develop these genres into captivating concepts for a reality show. Additionally, due to their niche appeal, many networks hesitate to fund such ventures lacking mass appeal. Thankfully, the Syfy channel successfully tapped into the interests of its core audience and created a reality show that appealed to both genre enthusiasts and a wider viewer base.

This groundbreaking show is known as Face Off (not to be confused with the movie featuring Nicholas Cage and John Travolta). Face Off stood out by shining a spotlight on the world of special effects makeup, a subject typically only intriguing to a specific group of individuals. It showcased the intricate process and expertise required to craft exceptional SFX makeup, offering viewers an alluring glimpse behind the scenes of their beloved media. Moreover, the show highlighted the astounding creativity and skills possessed by the competing artists.

What Is Face Off About?

Face Off is a reality competition where highly skilled makeup and special effects artists strive to create SFX looks based on specific themes, often with challenging restrictions. Esteemed SFX artists, including Ve Neill who received Oscars for her work on films like Beetlejuice and Mrs. Doubtfire, serve as judges. Each week, the artist with the weakest look is eliminated, culminating in a $100,000 cash prize for the ultimate winner, along with $25,000 worth of makeup.

The themes assigned to the artists cover a wide spectrum, ranging from mashups like creating horror versions of fairytales to gender-swapping and body painting. Within a span of three days, the artists must craft each look from scratch, sculpting and molding their own prosthetics and applying the necessary paint job. The show's allure lies in witnessing the incredible creations conceived by these artists. Despite the time constraints, some produce truly remarkable characters that could easily belong in a genuine movie.

Another major attraction of the show is the opportunity to witness the entire process of crafting these mesmerizing SFX makeups. Countless enthusiasts of genre movies have gazed at their screens, marveling at the enigma behind these makeup effects. For those who possess an undying curiosity about the inner workings of filmmaking, especially in the realms of science fiction and horror, where prosthetic makeups are frequently employed, observing the intricate steps involved in achieving these transformations is an absolute delight. This serves as a testament to the remarkable skills possessed by professional makeup artists, as they skillfully bring to life incredibly lifelike characters using only silicone, foam, and paint.

In recent years, the special effects industry appears to be diminishing in Hollywood due to the excessive and, arguably, excessive utilization of CGI. Nonetheless, Face Off serves as a powerful testament to the indispensable role played by SFX makeup in the creation of timeless memories within the realms of classic science fiction and horror films.

How Many Seasons of Face Off Are There?

Spanning from 2011 to 2018, there were a total of 13 seasons of the television show Face Off. As a spin-off to this popular series, Syfy introduced Face Off: Game Face in August 2017. This exciting new program featured the return of four talented artists from previous Face Off seasons, who then went head-to-head in a competition for a grand prize of $10,000.

The judging panel for all 13 seasons included TV and film makeup artist Glenn Hetrick and Academy Award-winning artist Ve Neill. Seasons 1-3 also had creature designer and director Patrick Tatopoulos on the panel. From seasons 3-13, the panel was joined by creature and concept designer Neville Page. Guest judges, including industry professionals such as actors, directors, and renowned makeup artists, also made occasional appearances.

Where Can You Watch Face Off?

You can stream all 13 seasons of Face Off on fuboTV, as well as on the Syfy, NBC, and USA Network channels. If you have Peacock Premium, you can stream 5 seasons. Additionally, you can purchase all seasons of the show on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. If you don't have a subscription to any of these streaming services, you can still watch the show for free by using a free trial of Apple TV Plus.