Face Off (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

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, The Hunger Games), 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 for Season 3. Industry figures and artists including Brian Grazer, Kevin Smith, Paul W. S. Anderson, Greg Nicotero and Gale Anne Hurd have served as guest judges.

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 10 hours for work in finishing the molding, and a final day of 4 hours in applying the makeup before a one hour "Last Looks" 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 100,000 and a year's supply of makeup from Alcone (changed to 25,000 of makeup in season 2), a "grand prize that will launch a career". 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.

Face Off premiered January 26, 2011 on Syfy. Syfy announced March 16, 2011 that Face Off has been renewed for a second season. Casting was slated to begin later the same month. Season 2 began airing January 11, 2012. On February 7, 2012, Syfy announced that Face Off has been renewed for a third season. Season three of Face Off premiered on August 21, 2012. On October 8, 2012, Syfy announced that Face Off has been renewed for a fourth season.

Production and development

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

Season 1 (2011)

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.

Season 2 (2012)

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, even increasing from those ratings in subsequent episodes. The finale drew over 2.4 million viewers, and was SyFy's most watched unscripted telecast ever.

Season 3 (2012)

See Face Off (season 3) for more information

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 become a replacement judge with Tatopoulos appearing in the season premiere, a subsequent episode, and the finale. 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.

Season 4 (2013)

See Face Off (season 4) for more information

Syfy picked up Face Off for a fourth season on October 9, 2012 which is set to premiere in January 2013. A sneak peek of the upcoming season premiered during the live season 3 finale.

Critical reception

Drawing comparisons to similar fashion- and cooking-themed competition series, Wired.com reviewer Scott Thill found Face Off "more interesting than watching cooks or clothiers create cold fine dining or hot runway messes". In examining hitherto unexamined aspects of pop culture, Face Off helps a television genre Thill categorizes as nearing "creative exhaustion" stay relevant. Thill sharply criticized the series for "mining its subjects for tortured psychodrama", calling it "an uncomfortable viewing experience but also a pathetic commentary on how desensitized we are to pimping out our fellow humans for humiliation". Mike Moody of TV Squad also noted the format similarities to series like Project Runway and HGTV Design Star, dubbing it "pretty routine". He praised the series for highlighting the creative talents of its contestants and the "sharp and articulate" judges. Writing for FEARnet, Alyse Wax found host McKenzie Westmore "a little underwhelming....She comes across as a generic host: pretty girl with a nice smile, whose connection to the industry is tenuous." However, Wax was effusive in praising the contestants, who "creat a variety of really fascinating creatures, each with their own backstory, displaying an abundance of talent and skill among the competitors". Despite some initial stiltedness, Wax found that the series has good potential. Sharply dissenting was Tom Conroy of Media Life magazine: "The programmers at Syfy should congratulate themselves for finding a competition show that aligns with their brand. That doesn't mean they had to air it."

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