Jack Pierce

Jack Pierce was a Hollywood make-up artist who created the iconic make-up in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1931), Pierce also continued to work in Universal Studios creating makeup for classic monster movies such as Dracula (1931) and White Zombie. When creating characters Jack Pierce preferred using 'Out of the box techniques' which allowed him to build facial structure and features with products such as cotton wool and collodian instead of Latex appliances. It is said that Pierce spent up to 4 hours each day applying and creating make-up looks on actors, it's crazy to think that these special effects techniques are now being overtaken  and replaced by CGI instead of being hand made.

Frankenstein (1931)

The Wolf Man (1941)

In 1946 it was said that Jack Pierce was fired from Universal studios due to him refusing to use the 'Foam Latex' technique. This new technique became very popular in special effects make-up and was very beneficial for film production companies as it was cheaper and quicker to create make-up looks with. As Jack Pierce wanted to honour the traditional techniques, Universal studios were taken under new management who wanted to upgrade their movie to productions to a more prestige quality. Jack Pierce was one of the first special effects make-up artists to create credible and unique works that inspired and continue to inspire other successful make-up artists today.