Ever wondered how your favorite movie characters end up with such intricate tattoos? It’s not as simple as you’d think. Here’s a sneak peek into the fascinating world of fake tattoos in film, where art, legalities, and makeup artistry come together in a meticulous process.
The Legalities of Tattoo Art in Film
Before any ink touches the actor’s skin, a lot of groundwork happens behind the scenes. The tattoos you see on screen must clear several legal hurdles.
“That’s just simply not allowed in TV and film,” says David Williams, the makeup artist for “Pam & Tommy.”
Showing an actor’s real tattoos requires consent from the original artist. Jason Collins, the prosthetics and special effects makeup designer for “Pam & Tommy,” adds, “You never want to come back and have a tattoo artist upset that you’re stealing their work because they didn’t approve for it to be in the show.”
Sometimes, actors’ real tattoos are visible. However, they’re often covered or altered.
Katie Middleton, the makeup artist for “How I Met Your Father,” explains, “There are times where we’ll cover somebody’s tattoos and then add fake tattoos over their real ones because we don’t have the rights to their real tattoos.”
If approval isn’t granted, artists redesign the tattoos.
“When we start designing, we have to run the whole process through legal,” says Collins. This process ensures that the tattoos are unique enough to avoid copyright issues but still look authentic.
The Creative Process: From Concept to Skin
Once the legal aspects are sorted, the creative team swings into action. The design phase is crucial, involving both artistry and precision. Temporary tattoos for movies aren’t just slapped on like the ones you had as a kid.
“We have a specialized technique that we do in-house here, sort of a company secret that encapsulates those tattoos,” reveals Collins.
First, designs are sketched directly onto the actor’s skin to ensure proper sizing and placement.
“Once everything looks right, you then need to scan the template in the correct size,” says Heike Merker, the makeup artist for “The Girl in the Spider’s Web.”
This step is crucial to ensure the tattoos fit the actor’s body perfectly. After scanning, the designs are printed onto special paper. This paper allows for the temporary tattoos to be applied seamlessly.
Application and Maintenance on Set
The application of these tattoos is where the real magic happens. It’s a meticulous process that requires skill and patience. First, the printed designs are applied to the skin, similar to temporary tattoos but with techniques that make them last longer.
“When we put them on, they can actually wear them for a couple of days if they wanted to and not have any problems with anything washing off,” Collins says.
In some productions, special sealants are used to ensure the tattoos last through intense filming schedules. Merker used a sealant called the Bluebird FX Matte Sealer for “The Girl in the Spider’s Web.” This ensures the tattoos remain intact for up to two days of shooting. This kind of durability is essential for maintaining continuity in scenes, especially when reshoots are required.
Next time you see an actor covered in tattoos on screen, remember the intricate process behind those designs. Each tattoo is a combination of legal clearance, artistic talent, and precise application.