Nearly a century after chemist Max Factor created a light, semi-liquid greasepaint that ushered in the first makeup specifically used for movies, no extra-terrestrial, monster or mutant would make it to the big screen without sophisticated prosthetics, masks, and even full-body costumes – often made from silicone rubber.
“Silicone rubber is easy to work with, is durable and waterproof, can work in a wide range of temperatures, and most importantly, it can be formed to create intricate, lifelike detail,” said Ivan Mini, global market manager for Xiameter brand from Dow Corning.
Today, silicone rubber is part of movie lore. “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” featured numerous characters enhanced by silicone prosthetics and earned the 2005 Academy Award for Achievement in Makeup. For “X-Men” in 2000, a full silicone cast of Hugh Jackman's arm was taken in order to appropriately design Wolverine's claws.
Movies also have spawned a thriving memorabilia industry. One example demonstrates the durability of silicones – a distinctive pointed ear worn by Leonard Nimoy in the original 1979 “Star Trek” film in his portrayal of Spock, the half-human, half-Vulcan first officer of the USS Enterprise, recently sold for approximately $1,000 at auction.
The Xiameter brand has a range of standard, moldmaking silicone rubber products available at www.xiameter.com. Also, please view our Americas and Europe/Asia moldmaking product selector guides.
More info: www.xiameter.com