Things to remember when lifecasting

We've just finished four lifecasts with three actors for a tv pilot that we are working on. We learned a lot from doing these four lifecasts, one of a face, two full heads and a set of ears. Three of these lifecasts went off without a hitch and we got great stone positives out of the molds. One lifecast we pulled off early because we were concerned for the actor as they were starting to freak out. We managed to save the lifecast but it was a rescue operation and significant cleanup. It might have been good to redo it, but I was not keen because of time, cost and hassle. Here are some of the things we learned from doing these:

1. One important aspect to think about when doing lifecasts that involve covering the face and head area is to prepare the actor or model as much as possible. I'm not talking about applying release agents either! It can be a psychological challenge because the actor or model is fully enclosed in alginate and plaster (barring their nostrils). In this regard it is important that the actor or model feels comfortable with the process. Sitting with them and explaining the process fully and reassuring them that although they may feel enclosed their nostrils will never be covered may help. Ultimately though if the actor or model is feeling anxious or scared this is not a good frame of mind to be in before being covered with goop. This is probably also why some actors like Doug Jones (Hellboy - Abe Sapien and Pan's Labyrinth - Fauno) have managed to carve out a niche doing creatures because they are great to work with both in the lifecasting process and when applying prosthetics later on. (Actors and directors reading this take note! Not all actors go through this process well!) I now think being lifecast is a bit like Luke Skywalker going into the evil tree - Strong in the dark side that place is! - when training with Yoda in the Degoba system. People take into the cave only what they bring with them.

2. Beards, moustaches and goatees really need to be shaved or trimmed off. We found a goatee and moustache posed multiple issues to the process. For starters it is a lot slower to apply alginate to the face when the actor or model has a beard and/or mo. You have to really try to work it into the hair. The other issue is the grab in the mold when pulling the thing off, although this was not too much of an issue as we had applied enough release. It also obscures detail above the upper lip and chin area. And it creates areas where air pockets can easily form when making the stone cast of the person's face. After three days of clean up work with dremel and patching with Ultracal a goatee and moustache caused so much more work that could have been easily prevented.

3. It is probably best to use an 8 minute set alginate on the face, because this gives you enough work time. You could get away with 6 minutes, but you'll be racing against the clock and may have to reapply another layer of alginate to get a coat that you can stick cotton or gauze into. This is doable, but you may freak your actor or model out by doing this second coat.

4. Time how long the plaster on the back half of the mold takes to set. This will give you an accurate estimate that you can tell your actor or model, which may be reassuring. Plaster bandages take variable amounts of time depending on temperature and humidity. You can also get bad batches of bandages. Cheap craft bandages are to be avoided at all costs. We used bandages for one lifecast that had set up fine before in warm weather with low humidity, but took far too long with different conditions. Use Gypsona, they have much more plaster and gypsum in them and will set faster. They might cost twice as much, but you'll use less because of the quality. And reduce chances of having a messy lifecasting experience.

5. Measure and actor or model's head before the casting process so you can tell how much shrinkage has occurred, if any.

6. Create a good lip over the edge of the back half of plaster with alginate and plaster.

7. Mark lines that connect the back half and the front half so when it comes to joining the mold halves back up you know where they fit together.

8. Two people at a minimum is advisable when doing any lifecasting. Alana and I were joined by Mady and this was a good team size for a full head lifecast. It speeds up the process considerably with three people.

9. Think over the processes before and after. It really is a technical feat to do a full head in many ways. We had done a number of practices with alginate and plaster before this, so consider doing a face first. It's possible we're now some of the few people who are not highly paid professionals already working in film or tv in Melbourne that can do a full head lifecast.

10. If things go wrong, you'll learn from your mistakes. We sure did! We also found a way of saving a very green mold after pulling it off an actor early. The lifecast positive however was still not good and in an ideal world would have redone the whole process.