Face Off (TV series)

Face Off

Logo
Genre Reality
Presented by McKenzie Westmore
Judges Ve Neill (2011-present)
Glenn Hetrick (2011-present)
Neville Page (2012-present)
Patrick Tatopoulos (2011-2012)
Lois Burwell (2014)
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 8
No. of episodes 97 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Michael Agbabian
Dwight D. Smith[1]
Derek Atherton[2]
Location(s) Los Angeles, California
Production company(s) Mission Control Media
Broadcast
Original channel Syfy
Original run January 26, 2011 – present
External links
Face Off official site

Face Off is an American reality television game show on the Syfy cable network in which a group of prosthetic makeup artists compete against each other to create prostheses such as those found in science fiction and horror films. Actress McKenzie Westmore, a member of the Westmore family of makeup artists, serves as the show's host, with judges being Academy Award-winning makeup artist Ve Neill (Ed Wood, Beetlejuice, Mrs. Doubtfire), and television and film makeup artist Glenn Hetrick (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Babylon 5). Creature designer and director Patrick Tatopoulos (I Am Legend, Resident Evil: Extinction, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) served as judge for the first two seasons, but he was replaced by creature designer and concept artist Neville Page (Watchmen, Cloverfield, Avatar) from Season 3.[3] Industry figures and artists including Brian Grazer, Kevin Smith, Paul W. S. Anderson, Greg Nicotero, Doug Drexler, and Gale Anne Hurd have served as guest judges.[1]

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.

The Face Off winner receives US$100,000 and a year's supply of makeup from Alcone (changed to US$25,000 of makeup in season 2),[4] a "grand prize that will launch a career".[5] 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.

Face Off premiered January 26, 2011 on Syfy. Syfy announced March 16, 2011 that Face Off had been renewed for a second season. Casting was slated to begin later the same month.[6] Season 2 began airing January 11, 2012.[7] On February 7, 2012, Syfy announced that Face Off had been renewed for a third season.[8] Season three of Face Off premiered on August 21, 2012. On October 8, 2012, Syfy announced that Face Off would return for a fourth season which premiered on January 15, 2013.[9] In the fourth season, the show started an online show Face Off Redemption in which eliminated contestants from Season 4 would have a chance to gain a spot on the fifth season, which premiered in August 2013.[10] The show was then renewed, again, on October 21, 2013, for its 6th season which began in January 2014 premiere.[11] On April 22, 2014 it was confirmed that Face Off had been renewed for a 7th season starting in July, 2014.

Production and development

Syfy began the development of Face Off in March 2010 in association with production company Mission Control Media.[12] Syfy confirmed that it had ordered the series in May,[5] and announced the host and judges in November.[3] Producers held open casting calls in Los Angeles and Orlando and accepted audition videos through September 15.[13]

Seasons

Season Premiere Finale Winner Runner(s)-Up Number of contestants Number of episodes
1 January 26, 2011 March 16, 2011 Conor McCullagh Gage Hubbard
Tate Steinsiek		 12 8
2 January 11, 2012 March 14, 2012 Rayce Bird Ian Cromer
Robert "RJ" Haddy		 14 10
3 August 21, 2012 October 31, 2012 Nicole Chilelli Laura Tyler
Derek Garcia		 12 12
4 January 15, 2013 March 26, 2013 Anthony Kosar Kristian "Kris" Kobzina
Wayne Anderson		 14 11
5 August 13, 2013 November 5, 2013 Laura Tyler Tate Steinsiek
Roy Wooley		 16 13
6 January 14, 2014 April 22, 2014 Rashaad Santiago George Schminky
Tyler Green		 15 15
7 July 22, 2014 October 28, 2014 Dina Cimarusti Cig Neutron
Drew Talbot		 16 14
8 January 13, 2015 April 14, 2015 Darla Edin Emily Serpico
Logan Long		 15 14
9 July 28, 2015 ' 16 14

Season 1 (2011)

Main article: Face Off (season 1)

The first season of Face Off was won by Conor McCullagh of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Face Off Season 1 drew an average audience of 1.4 million viewers per episode during season 1.[6]

Season 2 (2012)

Main article: Face Off (season 2)

The second season of Face Off was won by Rayce Bird of Shelley, Idaho. Season 2 premiere episode posted the best ratings performance for any Syfy original series since November ‘09,[14] even increasing from those ratings in subsequent episodes.[15] The finale drew over 2.4 million viewers,[16] and was SyFy's most watched unscripted telecast ever.[17]

Season 3 (2012)

Main article: Face Off (season 3)

Syfy held open call auditions for the third season on November 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, California and Orlando, Florida. Filming began during the spring of 2012 to be ready for a summer release. The third season of Face Off premiered on August 21, 2012. The selected contestants were revealed to the public on June 29, 2012. This is the first season of the show where two relatives have been selected as contestants: fraternal twin brothers Eric and Derek Garcia were among those chosen to participate. While Neill and Hetrick remain as judges, concept designer Neville Page became a replacement judge with Tatopoulos appearing in the season premiere, a subsequent episode, and the finale.[18] The season finale was broadcast live on Halloween, October 31, 2012 and viewers voted for the winner. The third season of Face Off was won by Nicole Chilelli of Sacramento, California.[19]

Season 4 (2013)

Main article: Face Off (season 4)

Syfy picked up Face Off for a fourth season on October 9, 2012 which premiered January 15, 2013.[20] A sneak peek of the upcoming season premiered during the live season 3 finale. Season 4 was won by Anthony Kosar. Now, he coaches his own team in Season 8, Team Anthony.

Season 5 (2013)

Main article: Face Off (season 5)

Syfy picked up Face Off for a fifth season.[10] During season 4's Face-Off redemption, Eric Zapata won a place as one of the eight returning contestants who are to compete against eight new contestants. This was the second season that a contestant voluntarily left the competition, when Laney Parkhurst departed in episode 11. The season was won by Laura Tyler, who was a finalist on season 3.

Season 6 (2014)

Main article: Face Off (season 6)

Season 6 started January 14, 2014. This season was won by Rashaad Santiago.

Season 7 (2014)

Main article: Face Off (season 7)

Season 7 was announced on April 18, 2014.[21] It premiered on July 22, 2014. This season features a fourth judge, Lois Burwell. Season 7 was won by Dina Cimarusti.

Season 8 (2015)

Main article: Face Off (season 8)

Season 8 was announced on October 22, 2014. It was premiered on January 13, 2015. This season was won by Darla Edin. She was part of Team Laura, finalist of season 3 and winner of season 5, making Laura the first person to win face off twice.

Season 9 (2015)

Season 9 was announced on April 8, 2015. It will premiere in July, 2015.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Syfy's New Reality Competition Series, "Face Off," Premieres Wednesday, January 26 at 10 PM ET/PT". Thefutoncritic.com. 2011-01-05. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  2. ↑ Sara Bibel. "'Face Off' Renewed for Season Seven by Syfy for July 2014 Premiere". TV By the Numbers. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Rice, Lynette (2011-01-28). "Syfy special effects show 'Face Off' gears up for January premiere". Insidetv.ew.com. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  4. ↑ Thill, Scott (2011-01-26). "Review: ''Face Off'' Is ''Iron Chef'' for Makeup and VFX Artists". Wired.com. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Syfy orders new 'Paranormal Witness' and 'Face Off' reality series". Realitytvworld.com. 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Goldberg, Lesley (2011-03-16). "Syfy Renews 'Face Off'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  7. ↑ "Syfy 2012 Winter Programming Includes Return Of Hit Series 'Being Human,' 'Face Off,' 'Ghost Hunters,' 'Ghost Hunters International' And 'Merlin' Plus Premieres Of New Series 'Monster Man' And 'Lost Girl'". Zap2it. 2011-10-11.
  8. ↑ "Syfy Renews Hit Competition Series "Face Off" for a Third Season.". Futon Critic. February 7, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  9. ↑ "‘Face Off’ Renewed By Syfy for Fourth Season - Ratings | TVbytheNumbers". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Seat42f. "Syfy Renews Face Off". Retrieved 2013-03-18.
  11. ↑ Seat42f. "Syfy Renews Face Off". Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  12. ↑ "Marcel Vigneron show among eight new reality shows Syfy developing". Realitytvworld.com. 2010-03-17. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  13. ↑ "''Face Off'' profile, MySpace". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  14. ↑ "Face Off Sets Ratings High". TVbytheNumbers. January 12, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Face Off Series High 2nd Week Straight". TVbytheNumbers. February 9, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  16. ↑ "March 15th, 2012 Cable Ratings". TVbytheNumbers. March 15, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Record Breaking Unscripted". TVbytheNumbers. April 2, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  18. ↑ Jon Lachonis (June 27, 2012). "Face Off Season 3 Premiere Date and New Judge Announced". TVOvermind.
  19. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (August 15, 2012). "Season 3 Finale of Syfy's 'Face Off' to be Broadcast Live From Los Angeles, CA on Halloween Night". TV by the Numbers. SyFy press release. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Syfy Renews Face Off For Season 4". Cinema Blend. October 9, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  21. ↑ "'Face Off' Renewed for Season Seven by Syfy for July 2014 Premiere". TV by the Numbers. April 18, 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-12.

External links