"Cordyceps Bloom" Creature Making Contest 2025
This character was created as a tribute to the incredible work of the makeup and prosthetics team behind HBO’s The Last of Us.
Their attention to detail, the richness of the colors, and the way they brought the infection to life through makeup is nothing short of breathtaking. Their artistry has been a major inspiration for me.
I wanted to explore what the infection might look like at a later stage of mutation, when the fungus has fully taken over the host — pushing through the skull, bursting from the brain, and spreading across the face and torso in vivid, grotesque textures.
To bring this idea to life, I sculpted and applied multiple custom-made prosthetic elements and texture pieces, building layers of color and form to give the illusion of fungal growth overtaking the human anatomy. I aimed for a vibrant, saturated look — something organic yet striking.
Interestingly, once the model stepped onto set in full makeup, the team couldn’t help but laugh and say:
“He looks like he just stepped off the Flying Dutchman!”
Apparently, we accidentally sailed into Pirates of the Caribbean territory — part fungus, part crew!
Still, this project is, above all, a love letter to practical creature effects. It’s a celebration of transformation, sculpture, storytelling through texture — and a nod to the masters who continue to push the boundaries of what makeup can be.
Thank you for the opportunity to share this creation.
https://youtube.com/shorts/gNyi5e6igeI?feature=share