The Subtlety That Deceives the Camera (The SFX Is in the Detail!)
The "Mario" Mold is one of our favorites for its subtlety: an elegant cut or scratch measuring just 5.5cm x 3.5cm . For on-set makeup artists, the versatility of a small mold is invaluable. This tutorial teaches you how to take advantage of the "Mario" Mold's fineness for two distinct effects, demonstrating how its subtle design can achieve surprising depth when applied correctly.
I. Quick Technical Data Sheet for the "Mario" Mold
II. Materials Needed
To take full advantage of the versatility of the "Mario" Mold, you will need:
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Mario Silicone Mold (Its size makes it perfect for your kit!).
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Bondo or prosthetic transfer material .
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Prosthetic Adhesive (Pros-Aide or similar).
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Alcohol Palette (Skin Tones, Reds and Purples).
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Bloods (Key to depth).
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Detail brush and isopropyl alcohol.
III. Application 1: Subtle and Recent Scratch
Step 1: Application and Fusion (Mario's Finesse!)
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Fill and remove the prosthesis from the mold. Apply it to the skin with Prosaide or prosthesis glue applied to the surface and melt the edges with alcohol.
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KEY: Due to the thinness of the mold, apply a base color only slightly redder than the surrounding skin. Do not saturate.
Step 2: The Touch of Subtle Depth
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Use a Fast-Flowing Liquid Blood .
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Using a detail brush, simply fill in the center line of the cut created by the mold. The goal is to make it look like a wound that has just stopped bleeding.
IV. Application 2: The Deep Laceration (The Secret of Depth)
Step 3: Depth with Color (The Optical Illusion)
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Apply the prosthesis and melt it. Use your alcohol palette .
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In the center of the wound, apply a thin line of very dark purple or bluish-black (almost an eyeshadow). This tricks the eye, making the wound appear deeper than it is.
Step 4: The Blood Filler (The Volume Deception)
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This is where the "Mario" Mold surprises: it uses BloodGel Blood, Fast Flow Liquid Blood, and Alcohol-Based Liquid Blood. .
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Fill the center line of the cut with a small amount of Blood Gel. and create a dense appearance, or to simulate dried blood . The viscous, opaque gel texture simulates coagulated tissue or the opening of a deep cut.
Step 5: The Final Touch (Inflammation)
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Gently spray diluted liquid blood all over the prosthetic, the outer edges of the prosthetic and the surrounding skin to simulate recent traumatic swelling and finish with alcohol-based liquid blood to mark a fixed blood on the skin, wet to the eye but durable for the film set.
The "Mario" Mold proves you don't need large prosthetics to make a big impact. Its fineness ensures near-instant fusion, and its subtle design allows you to recreate anything from a simple cat scratch to a dramatic laceration simply by changing your blood and color technique.
Buy the "Mario" Mold and discover why it's a favorite for detail and continuity on faces and hands! Visit our Flat Moulds FX section to complete your arsenal.