Behind the Make-Up: The Scope of Elordi’s Frankenstein Transformation
Jacob Elordi’s take on Frankenstein isn’t just a performance—it’s a meticulous, day-long transformation. In a world where makeup can make or break a creature’s believability, Elordi’s 10-hour routine stands as a testament to the power of prosthetics, practical effects, and dedicated artistry. The process involves a dedicated team and a repertoire of skin-thin silicone pieces designed to bring the monster’s weathered, stitched-together appearance to life.
The Anatomy of the Look: 42 Prosthetic Moulds
Central to the look are 42 prosthetic moulds tailored for different parts of the body and face. Each piece is designed to create depth, texture, and the subtle lies of decades of monster lore—scars, pores, and the netting of damaged flesh. These pieces are not mere shells; they interact with light, shadow, and Elordi’s natural facial expressions to maintain continuity across hours of filming. The result is a Frankenstein that feels tactile and alive, not merely painted on.
Skin-Thin Silicone: The Real-World Material
The moulds are made from skin-thin silicone, chosen for its ability to bend with the actor’s movements while maintaining a convincing skin tone. Silicone’s translucence allows makeup artists to layer color—greens, browns, and pale tones that suggest decay—without the pieces looking flat. The challenge, of course, is keeping the silicone pliable and secure for hours, ensuring the seams stay invisible and the texture remains consistent from scene to scene.
The Team: A Small, Dedicated Crew
Elordi’s extraordinary look isn’t the work of a single artist. Hill, the lead makeup artist, oversees a compact team that includes Hill’s partner, Megan Many, who plays a crucial role in sculpting and applying the creature’s features. It’s a close-knit operation where precision and patience matter as much as talent. The rhythm of the day hinges on a careful choreography: sculpting, fitting, blending, and touching up all before the camera rolls.
Daily Ritual: Fitting, Blending, and Blurring Edges
Each day follows a rhythm designed to maximize realism. The prosthetics are fitted, followed by meticulous blending to erase visible edges where the pieces meet his skin. Subtle color work adds the illusion that the monster is a living organism, not a static statue. The team also contends with practical concerns—expansion and contraction with body heat, sweating, and the need to maintain a consistent look under lights that can skew tones. The goal is a seamless Frankenstein that can hold up to the demands of long days on set.
<h2 Why It Matters: The Power of Practical Effects
In an era where CGI often dominates fantasy storytelling, Elordi’s 10-hour routine highlights the enduring value of practical effects. The tactile presence of real silicone, combined with human performance, can produce a more convincing aura of menace and vulnerability than digital approximations alone. For fans, the artistry adds a layer of authenticity that complements the storytelling rather than complicating it.
Conclusion: A Masterclass in Craft
Jacob Elordi’s Frankenstein look is a masterclass in the craft of makeup artistry. It’s not just about applying prosthetics; it’s about creating a living, breathing creature who carries the burden of lore, emotion, and texture across a full day of shooting. The 10-hour routine, supported by 42 prosthetics and a dedicated team, showcases how practical effects continue to shape modern cinema, giving audiences a tangible connection to a frankensteinian fantasy world.
