But if your student is having problems, may be in rehearsals, what would help him, is to get one of those cheap latex gorilla mask, which will help him to act out the role & get over his reservations. See if he can handle the part without his specks safely, which will solve the other froblem.

 

NOW THEN as for the mask - this is a tough one.  To be sure the BEST way would be to go with a flexible, comfortable and reasonably priced either GENERIC or SPECIFICALLY contstructed ape/monkey makeup for the student.  The trouble is many fold in this instance.  What is inexpensive enough to not break the bank?  What WILL FIT properly such that it not only looks good but is comfortable to wear and allow the student to do what he's supposed to while in it?  What literally LOOKS good enough to pull off that it's supposed to be a humanistic looking ape-like character and where do you get it?  LOTS of things to consider.  THE closest thing MIGHT be to check with ANY online retailer you can find who does foam latex masks - there is ONE I can think of (THE SCREAM TEAM) who do many varied foam latex masks and they MAY have one reasonably priced that you can use that MIGHT be articulated so the mouth can move, it MIGHT even come in two pieces which will help A LOT for comfort and articulation.  The trouble with foam latex is that you cannot use it too many times before it would deteriorate.  In all actuality ONE TIME is usually the norm - though I do know of some that are used more than once but they tend to break down rather quickly.

 

Ideally a LIFE CAST of the student should be done so that the FIT is PRECISE AND EXACT to the student's face.  Generic fit presents many problems in application.  But you can get close with some simple measurements and finding a makeup artist who can then take someone about the same size and run a close enough life casting so they can build the monkey/ape makeup on that.  IT CAN be constructed of regular latex, foam latex, gelatin, foam gelatin or silicone gel-filled appliance makeup.  Finding someone to do that at a reasonable cost that's qualified is the tough part.  Local college theater departments might net you a student who is well versed in mask making or theatrical makeup but whose interests lie with special makeup effects.  I'm assuming you want perhaps for the makeup to look like maybe Planet Of The Apes stuff?  You don't really specify.  BUT qualified makeup artist is the way to go - IF you have a decent budget for it.  Otherwise you're going to be relegated to a cheap Halloween mask of some sort that will fit the kid who will be wearing it.  That way if you can find one, it should have cheap fur on it and so forth to sell the illusion although it usually will come in some static pose and not be articulated.  Making it look real enough is easy with makeup (rubber mask grease paint) but getting it to fit properly, getting it articulated so he can move his face or mouth in it, is something entirely different.

 

I know it's possible - anything IS possible.  It's just a matter of how you want to approach it - simple mask or more advanced, custom made and fitted appliances (could be several pieces and so forth) or somewhere in between?  Tough call on this one.   BUT again try THE SCREAM TEAM and they might even have a youth sized monkey/gorilla (they DO look different - different facial structure, different nose, eyebrow ridge, etc) and see what they have.  They've usually been pretty reasonably priced (in the $45 dollar range type pricing unless they've gone up) and might net you something usable.

 

If I CAN be of any further help please don't hesitate to post again, PM me or E-Mail me direct at mailto:fxman@sapsema.org - fxman@sapsema.org   Don't know what I COULD do but I'd be more than happy to help in some regard.

 

TonyDi