Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2010 - 26

3D transfers have several benefits over more traditional
appliances: they can be applied easily and quickly; the appliance material is translucent; the prosthetic is self-adhesive; the
edges blend beautifully and they stay down all day; the appliance
moves naturally with the skin; coloring and painting is easy; the
transfers accept almost all forms of makeup; they require very
little touch-up during a shoot day or performance; and they are
ideal for use in and around water.

3D transfer appliances are easy to make in
quantities that will last for an entire shoot, or
to just have in your kit for quick special effects.
While	 3D	 transfers	 are	 often	 made	 using	 silicone,	 this	
article will deal with a material affectionately called "bondo"
in homage to 3M's ubiquitous auto body filler product of the
same	 name.	 The	 makeup	 world's	 bondo	 is	 made	 from	 the	
water-based	acrylic	prosthetic	adhesive,	Pros-Aide.
Prosthetic	 transfer	 applications	 do	 have	 some	 limitations: they should not be used to cover highly contoured or
curved areas such as full nose or ear; they are rather difficult to reposition-once the appliance is "touched down"
onto	the	skin	during	application,	it	is	stuck;	and	3D	transfers work best as thin appliances-a quarter-inch or less
in thickness.

Making the transfer appliance
These	3D	transfer	appliances	are	nothing	more	than	Pros-Aide	
adhesive	 that	 has	 been	 thickened,	 frozen,	 thawed	 and	 dried.	
That's	the	really	simple	explanation.	They	are	easy	to	make	in	
quantities	that	will	last	for	an	entire	shoot,	or	to	just	have	in	
your kit for quick special effects.

You'll need a few things to create your own 3D transfer
appliance:
*	 Pros-Aide;
*	 a	stand	mixer	to	thicken	the	Pros-Aide;
*	 a	flat	silicone	plate	mold	of	your	sculpted	appliance;
*	 a	light	spray	mold	release;
*	 silicone	treated	acetate;
*	 a	freezer;
*	 temporary	tattoo	transfer	paper;
*	 paint	to	color	the	appliance.	
Before	you	begin	mixing	the	bondo,	you	will	need	a	flat	
silicone plate mold of your sculpted appliance. You can try
your	hand	at	this,	but	pre-made	molds	are	readily	available.	I	
even	offer	them	on	my	own	website	(www.backporchfx.com).	
First,	 the	 Pros-Aide	 needs	 to	 be	 thickened.	 This	 can	 be	
accomplished	 in	 several	 ways.	 I	 was	 taught	 to	 mix	 Cab-O-Sil	
(fumed	silica)	into	the	adhesive	until	it	reaches	a	usable	consistency-not	runny,	but	not	overly	thick.	However,	I	now	think	
the	best	method	is	to	forego	additives	like	Cab-O-Sil	and	just	
thicken	the	Pros-Aide	by	reducing	its	moisture	content.	If	you	
decide	to	use	Cab-O-Sil,	please	note	that	breathing	fumed	silica	
can	cause	Silicosis,	so	wear	a	respirator.
Thickening	the	Pros-Aide	by	constantly	stirring	it	allows	the	
water	to	evaporate	without	solidifying	the	adhesive.	This	creates	
a	softer	appliance	than	if	you	add	thickeners.	If	you	need	a	really	
soft	appliance,	you	can	add	dibutyl	phthalate	plasticizer	(DBP)	
to	the	Pros-Aide.	DBP	also	needs	to	be	used	with	care	as	some	
authorities	classify	it	as	a	human	immune	system	toxicant.	
Set	the	stand	mixer	on	its	lowest	speed	and	stir	the	ProsAide	for	eight	or	nine	hours	or	until	it	reaches	the	desired	consistency.	If	you	whip	it	you'll	create	air	bubbles.	You	can	color	the	
Pros-Aide	with	flocking,	or	with	a	bit	of	pigment-food	coloring,	
powder,	etc.	Do	some	experimenting	on	your	own;	this	industry	
thrives	 on	 innovation	 and	 experimentation.	 I	 use	 Createx	 pure	
pigment	colors,	and	Liquitex	Artist	Acrylics	to	tint	my	bondo.

The silicone-coated side
of the acetate can be
determined by making
a small mark on it with
a marker.

In	addition	to	a	silicone	mold	of	your	transfer	appliance,	
you'll also need temporary tattoo transfer paper-available
from	 several	 sources,	 including	 Alcone,	 Motion	 Picture	 F/X	
Company,	and	Nigel's	Beauty	Emporium.	You	can	buy	the	transfer	 paper	 together	 with	 silicone	 treated	 acetate.	 The	 acetate	
is	treated	on	only	one	side.	To	determine	which	side,	make	a	
small mark with a permanent marker in an area that won't be
in	contact	with	the	bondo.	The	silicone	treated	side	will	cause	
the marker ink to bead up.

A Sunbeam stand mixer.

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http://www.backporchfx.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2010
