Missing Limbs Research

When creating a missing limb there is a variety of different materials used, this would include

•  Latex
• Tissue Paper
•  Wax
• Grease paint
• Fake Blood
  
• and Silicone.

The use of each of these materials varies between each different type of missing limb. For example only wax, grease paint and fake blood is used when creating a missing finger. Whereas, latex and tissue paper could also be used when creating a missing arm or leg.

This makeup can be done on varies places on the body depending on what the director decides.

These places include,

•  The fingers
•  Hands/ Wrist
•  Arm/ Shoulder
• Forearm/ Elbow
•  Anywhere on the leg
• Foot/ Ankle
• Toes

There are a variety of tv shows and films where missing limbs are apparent. Some TV shows include

• Game of Thrones
• Walking Dead
• Z-Nation
• Agents of Shield (season 3/4)

Some films containing missing limbs are

• Resident Evil
• Zombieland
• World War Z
• Saving Private Ryan

The scenarios that are most likely to have missing limbs in them include, zombies, other horror films or shows, war or battles and some of the sy-fy genre. There some other areas where missing limbs may be seen.

Using latex and tissue you would need to create a sort of  'wall' along the direction of where the limb is attached to the talents body. This could be seen as like a cap, making a secure join between the appendiage and the wall of tissure. This is a good opportunity to add a bone, flesh or other additions to the special effects

In modern TV shows and films, CGI may be used. CGI stands for computer generated image. To do this a green piece of clothing or makeup may be used over a certain area to make the area look like the appendage isnt there after the CGI is added. The clothing or makeup would act as a green screen making it easier for the editing and CGI specialist to add the missing limb without the addition of SFX makeup.

References

https://www.quora.com/How-do-they-make-it-appear-like-someones-missing-a-limb-in-movies

​https://special-effects.wonderhowto.com/how-to/make-gory-cut-off-leg-special-effect-287015/

Edit 13/01/2021

I would use latex or silicone on softer areas of skin for example the cheek or leg as placing wax, which can be used on harder areas of the body for example the fingers or knees, could be painful and impractical to do so.

CGI can be used in combinatin with makeup as a green cap could be placed over the end of the appendage and the makeup could be used to at the seam where the cap stops. The green cap as previously mentioned acts as a green screen.

Before CGI, amputees would be cast for scenes where a missing limb was necessary. This would make it easier for the MUA to apply makeup to the end of the limb.

References 2.0

https://special-effects.wonderhowto.com/how-to/make-gory-cut-off-leg-special-effect-287015/

http://www.thegeektwins.com/2014/11/6-amazing-movies-that-used-amputees-for.html

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/494059021596218127/