THE REEF: STALKED
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NETFLIX
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THE REEF: STALKED • NETFLIX •
MAKEUP & SPFX
DESIGN APPLICATION
The Reef Stalked promised an exciting challenge – creating realistic shark bites and other special effects makeup for the film. With a small team of three and a director who prioritised speed and emotion over detail, it quickly became an exercise in resourcefulness.
Despite the chaos, my priority remained clear – to make the actors look real, even when portraying characters facing horrific injuries. This meant scrupulous attention to detail.
The prosthetics we created for the shark bites weren't just grotesque shapes; they were meticulously sculpted and blended with makeup to appear raw, fresh and believable. Even subtle touches, like the way the light would catch the wound, were crucial in creating a sense of realism
The transformation process was fascinating. The talent would walk in, a normal person, and through the magic of makeup and prosthetics, they’d emerge transformed. A carefully sculpted prosthetic would become a gruesome bite mark. Bruising and cuts, expertly applied, would add a layer of vulnerability. It wasn't just about the physical – subtle changes in hairstyle and the use of makeup to create exhaustion or fear in the eyes helped bridge the gap between the actresses and the characters they were portraying.
Filming in far north Queensland presented unexpected hurdles. Stingrays in the shallows meant a bizarre ‘stingray’ shuffle every morning by the crew before talent could enter the water. Then there was the harsh sun, wreaking havoc on continuity. One scene required an actress to be dry on the beach, then jump into the water moments later. With no electricity for drying equipment, it meant constant reshoots and exhausted actors.
“For one particularly gruesome scene involving a prosthetic leg, I found myself hanging over the boat, squirting blood into the water as the leg dangled over the side. In a way, that became my own small ‘happy place’ – a creative solution amidst the production mayhem.”
Despite the challenges, the makeup process played a crucial role for the characters in the film. It wasn't just about creating wounds – it was about bridging the gap between an adventure into the terrifying world of being stalked by a shark. By taking the time to achieve a realistic look, we helped the actors embody their characters and ultimately delivered the director's vision for the film.
