Zombie Costuming
It’s that time of year again. The time when the dead rise up from their graves to dine on brains. Halloween. Need a quick and easy costume? How about a zombie? This year Mobile had its very own Zombie walk lurching thru the streets of downtown. Zombies are becoming big business in pop culture with shows like The Walking Dead racking in the ratings. So, how do you get your zombie on?
Make up: Many Halloween stores sell a variety of Zombie makeup and sponges. Ideally, you will need to find a makeup set that contains red, purple, green and yellow in the color wheel. Cream based makeups are a personal favorite, but there are powders and paint like forms out there if that is your preference. White, gray and green bases are great for setting the stage for your freshly dead look. For a freakishly realistic bruising and blotching use a liberal coating of red make up followed by purple for some darker areas. Yellow and green can be sponged on to make the wounds look more aged. Rule of thumb, for newer injuries use reds and purples primarily. The older the wound, the more yellow and green you will need to add. Be sure to use a talc based power to set any cream based makeup so that is does not rub off easily.
Liquid latex is your friend: A simple application of liquid latex over a piece of tissue can create a gnarly looking burn or bite would. Mixing tissue with the latex allows you to achieve a layered look without having to use as much latex. To use this method take a regular facial tissue. Separate it into a single ply layer. Tear the piece to approximately the size you want the wound to be. Tear, don’t use scissors so that the injury looks more natural. For an even more gruesome look you can use a pair of tweezers to tear the tissue under the latex after it has dried to make a vicious looking bite would. You can use theater wax or scar putty to help build up areas such as scars or brow ridges. Note: If you are applying latex directly to the skin first either shave the area or, for areas like eyebrows, coat in petroleum jelly to prevent an unintended wax job. Latex can also be used on a plastic plate to create a prosthetic that can be used again and a again. For added support, medical gauze or poly fill can be added form structural integrity. Sawdust mixed with latex and green and gray paints can be used to create a disgusting mold.
Fabric aging: Remember that a zombie freshly risen from the grave is not going to be wearing pristine new clothes. One easy way to make most fabrics look worn and dingy is to boil them on the stove with several tea bags. I usually use about four tea bags per gallon of water. Cook the item for about 20 minutes. Note: If you are applying paint or fake blood this should be done after boiling the item so that the paint does not fade and make your item look pink. Sandpaper can be rubbed on clothes to help achieve that threadbare look. If you want worn holes try beating the fabric between with a hammer and a brick. Be creative, don’t be afraid to take your clothes out front and run over them with the car a few times. Nothing looks more authentic than real dirt.
Use props: Places like the Dollar Tree in Mobile are great spots to pick up inexpensive organs and appendages to add to your zombie attire. Use an assortment of brains, fingers and other gruesome props to really flesh out your zombie. Halloween store blood is great. Use it to accent your costume, but don’t go overboard, this is a zombie, not Stephen King’s Carrie. For large blood splatter use a large paintbrush to fling droplets. For tiny blood splatter use a toothbrush. Put paint on the bristles and then drag your finger across the bristles so that the paint sprays onto the object you are painting. Use large sized bubble wrap or even pantyhose and tissues wound tightly into a tube painted and accented with fake blood to make a set of really gruesome intestines.
Practice your zombie stagger and strike a few undead poses in the mirror at home to make sure that you are ready to lurch with the masses! The trick to a truly epic zombie experience is to be creative. A little time and imagination is all it takes to create a truly gruesome zombie that will send small children running in terror. Remember, have fun and eat lot of brains!