masks-msg - 9/26/04
Theatrical masks. Period and modern.
NOTE: See also the files: theater-msg, theater-bib, jesters-msg, puppets-msg, leather-msg, masque-msg, masks-mumming-lnks, Mask-Making-art, P-Polit-Songs-art.
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This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.
This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org
I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter.
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Thank you,
Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous
Stefan at florilegium.org
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From: dolge at lib.wfunet.wfu.EDU (brian dolge)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: SCA Digest V6 #234
Date: 2 Apr 1993 10:57:18 -0500
Unto the folk of the Rialto doth Aaron Exile send wishes for all health and
happiness.
Geoffrey Scrymger asked about masks, masques, and the construction of both. Being amoung the theatrically impaired I can only help with the first, and
that by way of reference. Try *The Propbuilders Mask Making Handbook* by James
Thurston (Betterway Pub., 1990, ISBN 1-55870-167). It includes some general
mask making guidelines, information on a working with a variety of period and
modern materials (including paper mache, clay, metal, plaster and something
called "friendly plastic" the details of which I did not inquire about).
Of particular interest is a section on the comedia, it's charecters and
conventions, including illustrations of actual period masks. The author also
attended a workshop at an Italian mask makers shop and gives an excellent
discription of the methods used there to make leather masks. The book is well written and heavily illustrated.
Aaron Exile Brian Dolge
Shire of Hindscroft Winston-Salem N.C.
Atlantia dolge at lib.wfunet.wfu.edu
From: katieroz at aol.com (KatieRoz)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: masks
Date: 26 Jun 1994 10:27:02 -0400
001482e at axe.acadiau.ca (WANDA ERNST) writes:
In the "Book of Costume" by Millia Davenport, there are a few
references to their use and one Dutch c1610 picture entitled "Fleshly
Disguises" on pg 443 which shows women wearing masks and gives a
paragraph on their use during the time.
Check his bibliography also since it contains books on accessories.
Lady Katherine Symmonds
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
From: ejuv64 at castle.ed.ac.uk (B Webb)
Subject: Re: masks
Organization: University of Edinburgh
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 1994 08:21:39 GMT
001482e at axe.acadiau.ca (WANDA ERNST) writes:
> I have been attempting to locate information on the use of masks in
>medieval/renaissance culture, and have had little luck. The only references
There are some articles by Sarah Carpenter and Meg Twycross (sp?) on
this very subject, though I'm afraid I don't have the exact reference
here (I'm in a different country from my copy!). Sarah Carpenter is at
the University of Edinburgh, she gave us a talk last year that was very
good, with references to records of how masks were made and maintained
in royal households (e.g. how much they paid the gilder, whether new
hair was needed, stuff like that). She said they were writing a book on
the subject but I don't know if that is available yet.
Hope that helps,
Caitlin de Courcy
From: gheston at nyx10.cs.du.edu (Gary Heston)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: life masks
Date: 18 May 1995 21:18:27 -0600
In article <01HQMQC3ZIQU9I9MLJ at delphi.com>, <ALBAN at delphi.COM> wrote:
>i'm working on a small project for decorating my house, for which i
>need information on the making of life masks. most of my sources
>seem to use plaster of paris over the face, buyt most every box
>of plaster of paris says it produces heat and is therefore very, very
>not good for putting on skin long enough for it to solidify. so, i wonder,
>is there anyone out there in the vast wasterland, er, wonderland of
>the rialto that has any experience in doing real live masks of
>people?
First, you have to put a "release compound" on the faces prior to
applying the mould material. Trying to peel plaster of paris off
of your face without having the release compound tends to take
skin with it.
Second, apply a few thin layers over the release so you don't
dissipate too much heat on the persons' face, then build up the
back of the mask with layers of gauze and more plaster.
--
Gary Heston gheston at nyx.cs.du.edu gary at cdthq.uucp uunet!sci34hub!cdthq!gary
From: corun at access4.digex.net (Corun MacAnndra)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: life masks
Date: 19 May 1995 06:49:30 -0400
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA
In article <3ph2m3$qk2 at nyx10.cs.du.edu>,
Gary Heston <gheston at nyx10.cs.du.edu> wrote:
>
>First, you have to put a "release compound" on the faces prior to
>applying the mould material. Trying to peel plaster of paris off
>of your face without having the release compound tends to take
>skin with it.
>
>Second, apply a few thin layers over the release so you don't
>dissipate too much heat on the persons' face, then build up the
>back of the mask with layers of gauze and more plaster.
Please! Do NOT put plaster of paris on the face to make a lief mask. Not
even over a release agent. This is not how the process is done, and can
be very harmful. Use Alginate, get a stage makeup book, and/or talk to
someone who has had personal experience in this process.
Please read my previous post on this subject.
In service,
Corun
===============================================================================
Corun MacAnndra | This is a little souvenir I picked up on Mangus III.
Dark Horde by birth | That was setting one. Anyone want to see setting two?
Moritu by choice | Guinan
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: life masks
From: amethysta at eric.stonemarche.org (Amethysta of Kensingto)
Date: Tue, 16 May 95 02:51:48 EDT
Alban writes:
> i'm working on a small project for decorating my house, for which i
> need information on the making of life masks. most of my sources
> seem to use plaster of paris over the face, buyt most every box
> of plaster of paris says it produces heat and is therefore very, very
> not good for putting on skin long enough for it to solidify. so, i wonder,
> is there anyone out there in the vast wasterland, er, wonderland of
> the rialto that has any experience in doing real live masks of
> people?
There's something you can get in almost any craft store, at least
in craft stores around here, and it's made for doing masks. It's a
material that has a plaster-of-paris-like substance inbedded in it. It's
supposed to be a lot like what they make casts (as in for broken bones)
out of. I've seen it sold in strips and sheets.
You take this material and dip it in water. Then you can put it
on a face, or shape it any way you want. I think it dries in about ten
minutes. I don't think we put anything over the face before putting this
stuff on it. The only problem we had with it is that the outer surface
tended to be a bit bumpy.
Let me know if you can't find any in craft stores in your area,
and if you want, I could pick you up some.
Amethysta
From: msilver at eita8net.COM
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Life Masks
Date: 20 May 1995 14:37:08 -0400
This may be a little more involved than you want to get
into, but this is how we made masks when I worked
professionally in technical theatre. Here goes:
First, instead of using plaster of paris, venture forth
and find ye a medical supply house and buy some cast
gauze. It already has plaster in it, and is not bad to
work with. Also locate some big drinking straws and
vaseline. Prepare the cast material by cutting it into
strips about 4 to 6 inches long. (Usually, the shorter the
better, but it makes more work...) Get a pan of lukewarm
water, and a helper.
In a general vein, the person being cast needs to hold as
still and natural as possible. There is heat buildup, but
it is not dangerous. The person may be uncomfortable, but
will not have any burns as a result. More importantly, do
_NOT_ try to do this with someone who is claustrophobic.
They will more than likely have a panic attack, and you
still won't have a mask! This procedure makes the person
expend a fair amount of effort and concentration on
breathing, and that, combined with the facial covering,
can drive even a mildly claustrophobic person to the
edge.
Then find your first victi... er, volunteer. Cover their
face in vaseline, paying special attention to any hair.
(Speaking of hair, beards, etc, don't cast well with this
method.) Vaseline may be hard to wash out, but plaster is
worse if you want a mask out at the end. Have the
sacrifice arrange themself in as comfortable a position as
possible with their face up and parallel with the floor.
Get the helper to dip the strips and hand them to you as
you apply them to the face. Overlap the pieces, work
quickly, and smooth the strips to the skin as you go.
When you get close to the nose and mouth, decide which you
want to finesse later, and stick a straw in the
appropriate hole(s). Cover the entire area you want a mask
for (plus an inch or two for damage)to a depth of about
3/16 to 1/4 inch. Allow to set.
When it is hard enough to stand the handling, remove from
the person's face, being careful not to distort the cast.
Point out to the brave soul the way to the local showers
and towels. Set aside on some sort of supportive blocking
for several hours to allow the plaster to finish setting.
Once the plaster is set, cover in the holes left by the
straw(s). Then liberally coat the inside with a "release
compound" - our friend vaseline works well here, too.
Support the cast so it will hold liquid without spreading
out, then fill with plaster or some other set media. Let
this set for several days, depending on the media. When
set, you can release the cast from the image. You can use
the image as the finished product, or you can go on and
build masks on this "face" using basically the same
techniques used to make the cast. Masks made in this
fashion are very functional, and if made with OOP
materials like <wince> latex and J-cloth will move with
the wearer's face!
One benefit to making more masks is that you can make as
many masks from that one cast as you want, provided you
are careful with the "face". If you are going for
fantastic masks, you can add the additional elements to
the mask without distorting the fit, ie adding goat's
horn, overemphasized eyebrows, etc.
Good luck!
-------------------------------------------------
Michael Silver msilver at hp9000.eita8net.com
Lacombe, Alberta, Canada
-------------------------------------------------
From: corun at access4.digex.net (Corun MacAnndra)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: life masks
Date: 22 May 1995 10:06:53 -0400
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA
In article <29L75c3w165w at eric.stonemarche.org>,
Amethysta of Kensingto <amethysta at eric.stonemarche.org> wrote:
> There's something you can get in almost any craft store, at least
>in craft stores around here, and it's made for doing masks. It's a
>material that has a plaster-of-paris-like substance inbedded in it. It's
>supposed to be a lot like what they make casts (as in for broken bones)
>out of. I've seen it sold in strips and sheets.
These are plaster bandages, and are put over the Alginate, NOT on the face
directly.
Please, please, please!!! Do not put plaster of paris or plaster bandages
directly onto your face. Talk to the theatre department of your local
University, professional makeup artists or your local theatrical supply
outlet.
If you're going to do this, PLEASE do it right! I have used Alginate in a
professional setting for theatrical makeup and I know what I'm talking about.
In service,
Corun
===============================================================================
Corun MacAnndra | This is a little souvenir I picked up on Mangus III.
Dark Horde by birth | That was setting one. Anyone want to see setting two?
Moritu by choice | Guinan
From: NEFERTITI <gina at delphi.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: life masks
Date: Wed, 24 May 95 22:53:40 -0500
Greetings milord Corun,
After having given my advice, and then having read all of your posts, I
wish to agree with you, however, from my personal experience, life mask
casting with Plaster of Paris is not impossible, nor is it VERY BAD. I
grant you it is not nearly as good as Alginate (Thank you...I could not
think of that to save my life!) but it does work. Alginate is most
definitely better! Being somewhat flexible, it is certainly easier to
remove than plaster.
In all things else, we agree totally, and your advice is very sound...but
then, I am a serious risk-taker *big Grin*...not necessarily to recommended
for the uninitiated!
BTW, where did you study and work...and why did you give it up? Theatre I
mean? Just curious. <G>. I gave it up 20 years ago...for marriage. In
retrospect I should have said no to marriage, and kept the theatre!! <G>.
In your service,
Ingeborg
From: NEFERTITI <gina at delphi.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: life masks
Date: Wed, 24 May 95 22:38:01 -0500
<ALBAN at delphi.COM> writes:
>i'm working on a small project for decorating my house, for which i
>need information on the making of life masks. most of my sources
>seem to use plaster of paris over the face, buyt most every box
>of plaster of paris says it produces heat and is therefore very, very
>not good for putting on skin long enough for it to solidify. so, i wonder,
Greetings milord Alban from Ingeborg Synnove av Viken,
Regardless of what the box says, Plaster of Paris *can* be used successfully
for life mask casting. I had it done myself a number of years ago and
I didn't find it uncomfortably hot. Yes, it does get warm, and it is
imperative that you keep your "victim" (?) comfortable and calm because it
does take a while to set. It probably is not VERY good for the skin, but
it is not very, very bad...from my experience.
I do suggest that you 1) obtain a book on theatrical make-up techniques...
a good one. I found one the other day in a used bookstore that was the
very same textbook we used when I was in theatre school. A lot of them do
explain how to do a life mask. 2) Before you apply the Plaster of Paris,
if that is what you will use...be sure to liberally coat the eyebrows,
eyelashes, sideburns, or whatever facial hair to make sure the plaster does
not remove it when it hardens...*very painful*! 3) Check a dental supply
house in your area...they carry several different products which are useful
in making life masks. One is molding material that they use for dental
impressions...sorry, can't remember the name...and the other is dental stone.
It is like Plaster of Paris, but it gets very, very hard, and is durable.
It is used for making the positive after you have your negative cast. 4)
It is very important that your victim be able to breathe for the 15 minutes
or so the plaster is hardening. We used soda straws (large ones) in the
nostrils. Please sure that you stay right with the person that is wearing
the plaster, and calm them and talk to them. Some people get very, very
panicy with something the consistency of thick mud all over their face. Also,
be sure to do the mouth area last to give them a many stress free minutes
as possible...and be sure to caution them not to move their face. Avoid
making them laugh. It will ruin your work. Use a latex bald pate (avail-
able in any theatrical costume shop) to protect the hair, and don't put the
plaster to far back onto the ears....it will be hell to get off!
Hope this helps! If you need more information, I will try to accomodate.
Ingeborg Synnove av Viken
From: kkozmins at mtholyoke.edu (Kim C Kozminski)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: life masks
Date: 26 May 1995 17:48:18 GMT
Organization: Mount Holyoke College
You can use plaster bandages, rather than plaster itself for
making a face-casting, you can also use a material called "Moulage" which
is a soft rubber that can be reused, I've had good sucess with both.
Having been on the "Victim" side of castings with both alginate and
plaster bandages I found the bandages much more comfortable than having
that cold iccky glop poured down my face.
If you worried about plaster bandages (or Alginate) damaging
skin, do a patch test on the inside of the wrist first. When using
bandages put moisturizer on first, then petrolium jelly on eye-brows,
hair-line and facial hair. Make sure there is no beard stubble! this
really stings when the cast comes off. I usually use a cap made from an
old nylon stocking to cover hair. I was taught in grad school to simple
be careful of the nostrils, and not cover them, the subject can blow
excess plaster out of his nose if necessary. You can also use straws,
but they are wicked uncomfortable.
The advantage of using bandages is that they are easy to obtain
(any medical supply place has them) cheap, and they do not heat up much.
They also take only about 10 minutes to dry and they are light wieght.
to make a positive casting fill the nostrils in with modeling clay, make
a "nest of newspaper for the casting in a plastic dish-pan, and pour the
plaster into the cast. Bob Kelly (theatrical make-up) has a decent
video of this process. His company is located in NYC.
I've taught make-up and mask-making at two colleges and used this
process extensively for mask-making, so far I;ve had no complaints of
damaged skin, one woman even said it improve her complextion!
Good luck!
KC
kc/Roen
From: lynx at shakala.com (Lynx ShadoPanther)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: life masks
Date: Tue, 30 May 95 22:57:23 PDT
Organization: Shakala BBS (ClanZen Radio Network) Sunnyvale, CA +1-408-734-2289
NEFERTITI <gina at delphi.com> writes:
> <ALBAN at delphi.COM> writes:
> >i'm working on a small project for decorating my house, for which i
> >need information on the making of life masks. most of my sources
> >seem to use plaster of paris over the face, buyt most every box
> >of plaster of paris says it produces heat and is therefore very, very
> >not good for putting on skin long enough for it to solidify. so,
>
> Greetings milord Alban from Ingeborg Synnove av Viken,