Face Off is an American reality television game show program on the Syfy cable network channel in which a group of prosthetic makeup artists compete against each other to create prostheses such as those found in science fiction, fantasy, and horror films. One or more challenges are featured in each episode, with the work reviewed by a panel of judges who eliminate one or more artists each week until a final winner is chosen.
Actress McKenzie Westmore, known for her role as Sheridan Crane on the former NBC/DirecTV soap opera Passions and a member of the Westmore family of makeup artists, serves as the show's host. For each assignment, the contestants' work is individually evaluated by a panel of professional special effects makeup artists who serve as judges. These judges have included television and film makeup artist Glenn Hetrick, Academy- and Emmy Award–winning makeup artist Ve Neill, creature designer and director Patrick Tatopoulos (seasons 1–3), and creature and concept designer Neville Page (seasons 3 – 13). Industry figures and artists including Brian Grazer, Kevin Smith, Paul W. S. Anderson, Greg Nicotero, Rick Baker, Doug Jones, Len Wiseman, Gale Anne Hurd and Marcus Nispel have served as guest judges.
Face Off premiered January 26, 2011 on Syfy. In August 2017, Syfy aired the first season of spin-off series Face Off: Game Face, which brings back four all-stars from previous Face Off seasons for each episode and pits them head-to-head in three rounds for a chance to win .
Format
Face Off is presented as a progressive elimination competition between 12 and 16 make-up artists. Each week, the artists face a "Spotlight Challenge" that tests their artistry and techniques to create a full makeup character to match a theme over the course of 3 days. The first day allows for concept design and sculpting for five hours, a second day of 9½ to 10 hours for work in finishing the molding, and a final day of 4 hours in applying the makeup before a one-hour "Last Look" for touch ups. The judges then have the opportunity to look at the makeups from afar and up close, and decide a series of top and bottom looks for the week. One artist will be deemed the winner, sometimes receiving a special bonus prize such as immunity from elimination or a cash reward, and one artist will be eliminated from the running for the grand prize. Some episodes also feature a "Foundation Challenge", a smaller challenge that introduces a new technique on a smaller scale, and the winner is awarded an advantage for that week's Spotlight Challenge, ranging from immunity from elimination to receiving a first choice of theme. More recent seasons have included a "Gauntlet" challenge, where the artists must complete in three rounds of challenges over two days, with either rounds scored on a point system to determine the winner and loser, or the winners of individual rounds considered safe and do not need to participate in the future rounds.
The elimination format proceeds until three or four contestants are left. At this point, they get a larger assignment typically involving makeup for two or more actors for a short film or similar setpiece to feature their work. The judges review the make-up within the context of this final setpiece to determine the winner. The Face Off winner receives 100,000 and a year's supply of makeup from Alcone (changed to 25,000 of makeup in season 2), a "grand prize that will launch a career". The second season added the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid to its prize package. The Season 3 grand prize winner will receive the same US$25,000 of Alcone makeup and US$100,000 cash prize, in addition to the opportunity to become a guest lecturer at the "Make up for Ever Academy" in New York and Paris, and the Toyota Prius v. The prize package for season 4 remains the same with the exception of the 2013 Fiat 500 replacing the Prius V as the prize vehicle.
Production and development
Syfy began the development of Face Off in March 2010 in association with the production company Mission Control Media. Syfy confirmed that it had ordered the series in May, and announced the host and judges in November. Producers held open casting calls in Los Angeles and Orlando, Florida and accepted audition videos through 15 September 2010.
Seasons
Season 1 (2011)
The first season of Face Off was won by Conor McCullagh of Orlando, Florida. Face Off Season 1 drew an average audience of 1.4 million viewers per episode during season 1. Contestants on season 1 were: Megan Areford, Tom Devlin, Kayla "Jo" Holland, Sergio Guerra, Frank Ippolito, Jessica Kramer, Marcel Banks, Samantha "Sam" Cobb, Tate Steinsiek, Gage Hubbard, Anthony Pepe, and Conor McCullagh (Winner).
Season 2 (2012)