Makeup Designers Unveil Secrets to Transforming Actors with Prosthetics

In November 2025, three award-winning prosthetic makeup designers - Kazu Hiro, Mike Hill, and Dave Elsey - discussed the intricate craft of transforming actors' faces using prosthetics. They explained that the process often starts with a 3D scan of the actor's face, but the key is determining which facial features to alter to achieve the desired look.

Hiro, who worked on "The Smashing Machine," focused on changing Dwayne Johnson's brow and eye area to make him resemble the real-life Mark Carr. He created a hollow core prosthetic piece that allowed Johnson to blink naturally. Hill, the designer for "Frankenstein," strategically altered Jacob Elordi's nose, cheeks, forehead, and teeth to create the monstrous New Prometheus character, while still playing to Elordi's strengths.

Elsey, known for his work on the "Star Wars" prequels and "The Substance," noted that the classic approach of changing the nose can dramatically alter someone's identity. However, the designers agreed that the goal is to find the right balance - transforming the actor while still allowing their performance to shine through.

As one designer put it, "When the actor disappears into the character but their performance still shines through, that's when you know the makeup's doing its job."