Putting realistic blood, bruises and wounds on actors and models is a niche job, but someone’s gotta do it. That someone is Bria Hughes, and gore is her specialty.
The 23-year-old KC native began playing around with makeup as a creative outlet, but it soon turned into a full-time career. Whether she’s being flown to movie sets or doing the makeup for Worlds of Fun’s Halloween Haunt, Hughes knows how to make it spooky.
Hughes began experimenting with makeup when she was just 13. She became inspired while watching The Walking Dead and seeing the “hyper-realistic zombies.”
“I wanted to create the art on these TV shows and movies I was watching,” Hughes says. “I started working with toilet paper, tomato paste, Elmer’s glue, anything I could get my hands on.”
Now, Hughes works with more professional products. She went to New York City to take an SFX (special effects) makeup class from some of the industry’s top SFX makeup artists. She now creates her own silicone prosthetics and can make squirting blood worthy of any movie set (she says the blood squirting effect is her biggest showstopper).
Last year, Triumphant Pictures flew Hughes out to New Jersey to work on the yet-to-be-released film Speed Demon featuring Chet Hanks, Tom Hanks’ son. The local company Method Media, which is in contract with Lionsgate, also contracted her to work on the set of a thriller film called Break the Cycle, featuring D.C. Young Fly and Cuba Gooding Jr. The film was shot in July right here in KC.
For those looking to get into the special effects craft this month, Hughes has some advice: Skip Spirit Halloween and invest in the good products.
If you’re looking for fake blood, Hughes says there’s a huge difference between the quality from your average seasonal Halloween store and more high-end special effects brands like Ben Nye. If you’re looking to create a wound of any kind, liquid latex is key. To achieve realistic bruises and scrapes, Hughes suggests Ben Nye’s bruise palette or an oil-based palette with reds, purples and blacks from Amazon. Fake contacts can also be a game changer.
Bria Hughes’ Perfect Day in KC
Coffee: When working on the film The Live-In, I survived off Blip Roasters’ iced macchiatos. I love their shop’s wholesome environment, and they have a great staff.
Makeup shopping: A to Z Theatrical Supply and Service always has what I need. Even if they don’t have something like a costume, prosthetic or makeup, the staff always goes above and beyond to help me get it or find alternatives.
Favorite spot to unwind: I really enjoy going to Westport Cafe to get an espresso martini and some of the best mussels I’ve ever had. The vibes there are always relaxing.
Favorite spooky activities: Halloween holds a special place in my heart. I love Worlds of Fun’s Halloween Haunt, The Beast haunted house and the zombie bar crawl.
