Face Off gets mutated: A face off recap

This week on face off we trip into the exciting world of mutants!  Each artist was given a super power to convey through a mutant creature that could walk right out films like the X-Men.  To aide them in the creation of their super powered mutations are fellow artists who are studying CGI at the Gnomon School of Visual effects, of which judge Neville is an alumni and a board member.  Using the program, Z brush, the sculptors are given the chance to see their creations in as a 3D sketch.  This, in my opinion, is a huge advantage because not only can you see what your creation will look like from every angle but the Z brush program also includes the ability to design textures.  Now you can not only plan a look but also get an idea how an application may turn out.  How incredible is that?  I was blown away by the accuracy these CGI artists were able to produce to the finished product.

In the lab itself, there are mixed emotions coming from every station about these mutants.  Graham who was given tunneling actually seems to almost resent his choice and is taking it out on a somewhat uninspired mole/mole rat creature.  He does take it in stride though as he includes a “droopy dog” voice during the preliminary application phase.  While funny to watch, there isn’t the same amount of love oozing from this bitterly inspired creation, nothing at all akin to last week’s Dahl inspired creature.

Speaking of last week, Niko is still reeling from being in the bottom looks category last week and is determined to rocket himself up from this with his “coiled” mutant.  His creation must demonstrate magnetic powers, in response Niko has designed a character built out of copper coiled skin.  Thankfully, unlike last week, Niko has decided to tone down his massive ideas and focus on what he can pull of this time.  The best part of the design was clearly the paint job of black and brushed copper that gave it an antique look that sold the creation.

Daren however, may have over shot himself this week.  With panoramic vision as a super power, Daren decides to implement strings of lights into his design.  The problem really occurs when sadly, the model accidently pulls them out as they become entangled on a chair.  This leaves Daren with opaque gelatin molds to apply to her face and a wing and a prayer that the judges see the intended look.  The muddled appearance and rudimentary paint job seemed forced and unclear.  There is nothing that really screams panoramic vision; my suggestion would have been some kind of visor or attention on the eyes instead of a dark resounding skin color.

George needed way more than a wing and a prayer this week, he need a muscle relaxer and a nap, maybe a heating pad… either way he needed medical attention.  It would appear that the strain of this completion had put a toll on his back and shoulder.  Still I must say I admire him for his push forward to create his “impenetrable skin” mutant.  The creation had a nice stone color and shape but sadly lacked texture to become top looks.

Rashaad went to the bottom of the ocean this week, calling upon the idea of an octopus to demonstrate elasticity.  I can see why you would pick an octopus but like Graham’s mole, it might seem a little uninspired.  What sets it apart is some well-done shaping and an intricate paint job that gives it just enough punch to rest in the middle of the road.  I have high hopes for him in the coming challenges simply because of the amount of work he can produce in a short amount of time is outstanding.

Finally we come to my favorite this season, everyone’s little energizer, Tyler!  Tyler received “wall crawling” as a mutant power.  What he created was a kind of fly man in transition.  The paint job was a great use of pallid pinks, purples and grey that was brought to life by hundreds of fabricated hairs.  He took the time not only to do a beautiful sculpt in the face but also to mold tiny “noodles” using a torch to give the illusion of tiny hairs speckled throughout the face and hands.  It was a brilliantly devised look that clearly conveyed a mutation in transition.      

In the end it is Graham’s lack of originality that sends him home.  I’m going to have to say that I strongly disagree and argue that they only kept Daren because of his past works and that to me seems to violate the idea the if you have to bring your best every week, either way, I’m not in charge, so instead I must say good bye to Graham this week and take comfort in knowing that he has a brilliant future ahead of him.  Meanwhile, Tyler takes another deserved top look, beating out Niko’s copper paint job by means of well executed fabrication.  Go team Tyler!


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