Media makeup students at Bath College took part in some scary work experience with Fear at Avon Valley for Halloween, an attraction set up for a third year to terrify hundreds of visitors.
There were three different scare mazes, as well as a street theatre with stilt walkers and a fire show led by Frank the masked clown.
Level 3 media makeup students at Bath College used their skills to get actors at the attraction looking as scary as possible.
Taking part gave them the chance to unleash their creativity and experience what it’s like to work as a team under pressure on a live event.
Bath College media makeup trainer and assessor Helen Eyre said: “There are three different mazes within Fear – anarchy, purgatory and phobia.
“They all have different makeup and there’s also a street team. Our big priority is making sure the street team looks amazing and to help with makeup changes.
“The first hour and a half is intense. You have ten to 15 minutes to do each design, but it’s really good fun and the girls have stepped up to the task.
“It’s a really great experience for them. Often within the college, we’re very generous with time. At the event they have to work under pressure and that in itself is a really valuable lesson for them. “
Students studying for Level 3 media makeup at Bath College are asked to complete 15 hours of volunteering and 30 hours of work experience.
On the course, they learn about cosmetic, photographic and camouflage makeup, as well as face and body art and how to cast small prosthetic pieces.
Last term, media makeup students worked with performing arts students at Bath College on makeup for their production of Sweeney Todd.
At Fear, they taught actors some basic makeup techniques, including bruises and cuts, and how to make yourself look ill or gaunt.
Helen said: “The idea is that it’s a scare attraction and the designs are there to challenge people. The challenge is to make it as scary as possible within the time frames we have been given.
“Most of it is in darkness, so a lot of designs are strong and bold so that people can see them. As the actors go out of the gates, we flick fake blood at them as they walk past. There’s definitely a lot of screaming every night.”
Bath College is looking for more work experience opportunities for media makeup students. If you can help, e-mail [email protected].