Scanning the stars

Matthew McMillion discovers why artist Kazu Hiro turns to 3D scanners when creating special effects makeup for Hollywood's A-listers

- Matthew McMillion

Renowned for his remarkable skill and artistry, special effects makeup artist Kazu Hiro has been sculpting the faces of Hollywood's elite for decades, transforming them into unforgettable characters in some of the biggest films on the silver screen. 

From the recent run of Oscar-nominated films, Hiro has worked with A-listers such as Robert Downey Jr. and Bradley Cooper for 2023 hit Maestro. His previous work includes blockbusters like Bombshell, Darkest Hour, Salt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Men in Black II, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and a swathe of other top movies.

Hiro's carefully cultivated talent has already been recognised numerous times, including with multiple Academy Awards for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, BAFTAS, and various other accolades. Chasing his seemingly tireless goal of perfection, Hiro constantly strives to advance his mastery of special effects makeup to new heights, which means always being on the lookout for new ways to enhance his design and creation workflow.

THE ARTISTRY OF KAZU HIRO

Lifecasting, a cornerstone of Hiro's makeup work for years, is a detailed process of creating a 3D copy of a living human body, regularly called upon in the movie industry to achieve high levels of realism in character makeup. This meticulous method starts with preparing the subject and gathering materials, including silicone rubber.

Despite its advantages, such as being relatively affordable, capturing fine skin details, and creating a durable and reusable cast, traditional lifecasting also has several downsides. The process is often time-consuming and messy, uncomfortable at best, and can even bring on claustrophobia.