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Canberra Today 14°/16° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Rise and rise of the walking zombies

THE Zombie Walk 2014 is being held for the Brain Foundation, a national charity that funds world-class research into neurological disorders, brain disease and brain injuries.

Depending on the myth you choose, a zombie is a human that comes back from the dead. They don’t have a beating heart but can still perform human functions.

Zombie Walk organiser, Jae Burns, says last year’s inaugural event exceeded expectations.

“We hoped for 150 zombies and ended up with around 600,” says Jae. “This year we’re expecting at least 800 and want to raise well over the $6000 we donated to the Brain Foundation in 2013. All donations go direct to research conducted by neurologists and neurosurgeons.”

If it all sounds too scary, do not fear. The Saturday, November 1, Zombie Walk is a free, family-friendly event, designed around having a lot of fun, so ankle-biter zombies are welcome. All organisers ask for is a gold coin donation.

The Zombie Walk started in Toronto, Canada, with the infection quickly spreading to other countries. It operates in every major city in Australia, with funds raised going to different causes. Jae says Canberra chose the Brain Foundation for its important work in a range of disorders affecting more than 2.5 million Australians, including those with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, head injuries and brain tumours.

Several Haus Models will participate in the Zombie Walk for the first time, including 180-cm tall Illana Davies who has appeared in ItalianVogue” online and at Fashfest.

The models will be transformed from gorgeous creatures into gruesome creatures by a team of make-up artists from CMA (Canberra Make-up Academy).

Two senior make-up artists, Jacquie Scott and Dove Hamilton, will lead the way, having recently returned from a workshop in Sydney at the Australian College of Make-up and Special Effects. The “blood and guts workshop” was held by award-winning special effects and prosthetic make-up artist Brian Sipe, who has worked on “Star Trek” and “Terminator”.

Illana was dead keen to “get into character” during a practice session at CMA’s Mitchell studio and sat for close to three hours watching two make-up artists apply lacerations, bite marks, growths and decaying flesh prosthetics to her face, chest and arms.

Dove managed the make-up trial – combining zombie with high fashion – supported by Taylor Perrin, who recently graduated with a diploma of specialist make-up services.

The prosthetics were made by filling a “wound mould” with a thin coating of silicon. Once applied, the make-up artists painstakingly blended the prosthetics on to Illana’s skin. The wounds were filled with yellow tattoo colouring (the colour of flesh) and eventually with fake blood.

Two colours of veins were airbrushed on to Illana’s neck and arms and special make-up applied under one eye for a bruising effect. Her chestnut hair was then teased and conditioner and silicon applied to make it look limp. On the total effect? Even Illana said she felt a bit queasy looking at her face in the mirror.

The Zombie Walk will shuffle off at 3.30pm from Regatta Point, along Allara Street and City Walk and resting at Garema Place where there will be live music.

Aside from gold coin donations, organisers raise funds through “Zombie Invasion 2014”, the official after party, which will be held at the Magpies City Club from 5pm. Prizes for best-dressed zombies will be donated by Dee’s Books and Comics. Register at canberrazombiewalk.com

CREDITS

Photos by Gary Schafer

Make-up artists Dove Hamilton and Taylor Perrin

Hair by Deb Pobjie

Venue, CMA studio, Mitchell

 

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Wendy Johnson

Wendy Johnson

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