Continuity! What Continuity? Keys to Replicating a Wound Accurately Shot After Shot

In the world of film and television, illusion is fragile. A perfect bullet wound in shot 1 can ruin an entire scene if in shot 2 the blood has disappeared or the edge of the prosthetic has shifted.

For a makeup artist, continuity is not just a challenge, it's an obligation. Our mission is to ensure that a character's injury is identical, millimeter by millimeter, for days, weeks, or even months of filming.

Here are the professional keys to achieving a perfect replica of your wounds, using your Flat Moulds as an unchanging base.

1. The Pillar: The Photographic Mapping (The Historical Archive)

Before the actor leaves the set after the first successful application (the "master take"), you must document the wound as if it were a museum piece. What you absolutely MUST include:

• Reference Photos (The 3 Keys):

  • Angle 1: General view. The wound in the context of the body area. (Ex: The stab wound on the forearm, with the wrist and elbow visible).

  • Angle 2: The Close-up of the Prosthesis. Close-up photo, straight and well lit, showing the texture, the fusion of the edges and the exact point of the prosthesis ( for example, where the tip of the "Jason" Mold ends ).

  • Angle 3: Color/Blood Mapping. A photo with the blood and makeup wet to document the flow pattern, tone, and intensity of the gore .

• The Measuring Rule: Place a measuring tape or a piece of graph paper next to (or partially over) the wound before taking the photo. This gives you an unmistakable scale reference.

• Body Mapping (Template): Use a surgical marker or very fine eyeliner to make three small reference points outside the makeup area. These points should be fixed (e.g., moles, freckles, or bony landmarks) and will allow you to reposition the Flat Mould in the exact same place next time.

2. The Mold as a Basis for Continuity

The main benefit of working with Flat Moulds (like our Kim or Our Father molds) is that 80% of the continuity is guaranteed from the start: the shape of the injury is always identical .

Placement Strategies (Adhesive Application):

• Telesis/Pros-Aide Controlled: Apply the adhesive directly to the mold (not the skin). This allows for precision.

• Axis Alignment: Once the mold is applied, use your reference points (from step 1) to ensure that the prosthesis is neither rotated nor displaced.

3. The Makeup Challenge (The Color Memory)

Color is the most volatile factor in continuity. A bruise can look reddish one day and purplish the next if we don't control the color palette.

Keys to Replicating Color (Take and Retake):

1. Closed Palette: Do not use more than 3 or 4 base colors. Note the reference number of each shade in your palette (for example, Dark Blood Red #2, Vein Purple #4 ).

2. The "Blood Recipe": If you used a blood mixture (e.g., 3 parts Arterial Blood + 1 part Gelatin), write it down . Never rely on memory!

3. Layering Technique: Always apply the color in the same layers and order. If the wound was sealed with glitter or a wet look effect, be sure to apply that finishing coat last.

4. Lighting Control: Set lighting can be deceiving. Always, always check the wound with the camera and under the same key lighting as the previous shot before giving the director the "OK".

4. The "Blood and Gore" Factor (The Liquid Element)

Fresh blood dries, sticky blood moves, and its sheen changes with the light. Blood is the easiest element to ruin in continuity.

• Flow Measurement: Use a pipette or dropper to apply the blood. This allows you to measure the exact amount of blood that should flow or fill the wound.

• Drip Control: If there is a vertical drip (e.g., on the chin), mark the length of the drip with a piece of masking tape on the clothing or a piece of paper on the floor.

• The Final Layer of Shine: If the wound needs to look wet, use a glycerin spray or shine gel as a final layer, applied immediately before the shot to prevent it from drying out.

In Summary: The Continuity Kit

To be a continuity professional, create a physical or digital folder that contains:

1. The tool (FX Mold) used.

2. The photos of the 3 Keys .

3. The map of landmarks on the body.

4. The color and blood card (Recipes and References).

Conclusion: Your Flat Moulds are the solid foundation of the wound, but it's the meticulous documentation that ensures the illusion stays alive, shot after shot, on the big screen.