About this season
In this competition/elimination series, special effects make-up artists participate in elaborate challenges for a grand prize and the honor of being Hollywood's next great effects artist.
Episodes (14)
1. Intergalactic Zoo
7.0Aired 28 July 2015 • 40 min
Season 9 begins with the 16 artists working in pairs to construct original alien animals that incorporate two models into one massive creation. Later, a surprise announcement from the judges keeps everyone on edge.
2. Siren Song
Aired 4 August 2015 • 40 min
The artists arrive at the Port of Long Beach and board the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter U.S.S. George Cobb, which is where they learn they'll be making beautiful but deadly sirens based on unique sea creatures. Working in teams of two, one group feels compelled to start from scratch on Day 2. At the same time, another duo struggles with streamlining different visions into one makeup.
3. Surprise of the Century
Aired 11 August 2015 • 40 min
The reality competition celebrates its 100th episode in style when the artists turn real-life couples into whimsically undead duos. Following the challenge, host McKenzie Westmore, who recently became an ordained minster, will perform a marriage ceremony attended by friends and family.
4. Frightful Fiction
Aired 18 August 2015 • 40 min
The artists must create a mashup character from famous works of genre literature.
5. The Gatekeepers
Aired 25 August 2015 • 40 min
The artists paired up to create the gatekeeper to an alternate dimension ... and the creature he or she guards.
6. Extraterrestrial Enterprise
Aired 1 September 2015 • 40 min
Retro-style alien characters created for a Foundation Challenge come into play when the artists receive their Spotlight Challenge.
7. All That Glitters
Aired 8 September 2015 • 40 min
The artists face the challenge of taking a male model and turning him into a female character from a classic Shakespearean play.
8. The Gauntlet
Aired 15 September 2015 • 40 min
9. Judgment Day
Aired 22 September 2015 • 40 min
The remaining artists add their own twist to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
10. Freak Show
Aired 29 September 2015 • 40 min
A "barbaric" Foundation Challenge is judged by Oscar-winning makeup artist Robin Matthews. That's followed by a trip to the circus as the seven remaining artists compete to dazzle the judges with their freak show-inspired makeups.
11. Beyond The Expanse
Aired 6 October 2015 • 40 min
Inspired by Syfy's The Expanse, the artists must create a character that represents the next stage in human evolution.
12. Death Becomes Them
Aired 13 October 2015 • 40 min
13. Movie Magic, Part 1
Aired 20 October 2015 • 40 min
Part 1 of 2. The finalists learn their last challenge is to work with a real-life Hollywood director and full production crew to create three stunning short films on location.
14. Movie Magic, Part 2
Aired 27 October 2015 • 40 min
A winner is crowned in the conclusion of the two-part Season 9 finale. But first, the finalists finish work on their characters for the short films they're making with director and creature designer Patrick Tatopoulos.