Create masks and prosthetics (artificial body parts) to make actors look like Hobbits (with hairy feet), Elves (with pointed ears), and ugly, scary Orcs - all individual and different.

Find out:

• how masks and prosthetics were/are used in theatre (in your own country and/or in others)
• how masks were/are used in rituals
• what materials are used to make masks and prosthetics
• what things need to be considered when making masks or prosthetics for actors.

Considerations could include:

• the use of non-toxic materials
• the wearer's comfort and ability to see, breathe, speak, and move
• keeping the mask or prosthetic in place
• getting the mask or prosthetic on and off
• reusability.

See the masks and prosthetics used in the movie (zone 27).

Focus questions:

• How long does it take for an actor to be made up as an Orc?
• The Orcs don't look exactly the same as each other. How do you think lots of different masks could have been made cheaply?

Mass-produced moulds were used for the Orc masks. To make each Orc different and achieve a wide variety of characters, a number of prosthetics were applied to each mould.

Create a mask for a certain purpose - e.g. to make the wearer look like an ugly, scary monster.

The design brief could set a limited budget for materials or require that students use only materials found in the school. Other requirements could be that the mask must:

• withstand being immersed in water
• cover the actor’s head and shoulders
• move around the mouth and/or jaw area as the actor speaks
• be easy and quick to put on and take off.

Possible materials: papier mâché, vinyl, clay, latex, foam, cardboard, plaster of Paris.

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