In the eerie and mysterious world of the "Guardians of the Lake" campaign, few characters resonate as deeply as 'The Lost Fisherman.' This tragic figure, forever doomed to wander the banks of the lake, embodies the essence of sorrow, secrecy, and haunting beauty. His backstory, infused with elements of mystery and supernatural horror, provided a rich foundation for his visual transformation. Bringing this character to life required not only technical skill in make-up artistry but also a deep understanding of the narrative that drives him—a story of a man fatally wounded by his own fishing hook, unable to reveal the dark secrets he uncovered beneath the surface of the lake.



The story of 'The Lost Fisherman' is central to his visual design. We envisioned him as a man deeply connected to the lake and its surroundings. This connection, however, became his downfall. One fateful evening, while retrieving his catch, the fisherman discovered something in his net that chilled him to the core. As he gazed toward the distant shoreline, he saw a shadowy figure lurking at the forest's edge. Moments later, a fire broke out at the boathouse, and in his desperate attempt to save it, the fisherman was attacked and mortally wounded by his own fishing hook. As he fell into the water, he realized that the secret he had uncovered was something someone was willing to kill to keep hidden.

Translating Narrative into Make-up Design

The make-up design for 'The Lost Fisherman' had to reflect his tragic backstory while conveying a sense of ghostly otherworldliness. We wanted him to appear as an older, wise man whose body bore the marks of his sorrowful journey and untimely demise. His face, aged and weathered, needed to tell the story of his tragic end, with a prominent scar running from his brow down his cheek—a wound likely inflicted by his own fishing hook.



The fisherman’s iconic scar, a reminder of his fatal wound, was brought to life using a custom-made two-part prosthetic, first sculpted and then cast using Platsil Gel-10 1 kg, which was encapsulated with Syncap 500 ml. The piece was pre-colored with a wash of Colorant Silicone Colorizer (alabaster). Colorant Flocking Color Additive à saupoudrer (bright red), Colorant Flocking Color Additive à saupoudrer (yellow) & Colorant Flocking Color Additive à saupoudrer (azure blue) were combined within the silicone to bring to life a resemblance of human flesh.



With Adhésif Pros-Aide - The Original - 50 ml in hand, the scar was carefully applied, running through the brow, which had been partially blocked to protect the hair, down to the cheek in a jagged line that visually narrates his violent end. Once secured in place, the edges of the prosthetic were then melted away using Acetone 100 ml creating a seamless edge from the wound to the natural skin.

The skin was aged and degraded using a combination of Palette FX Design Color 15 Couleurs and Supracolor 8 ml. A mix of grey and green tones was layered to give the skin a sickly, waterlogged look, as though he had been submerged in the lake for an extended period.

Bringing the Character to Life

One of the most striking features of 'The Lost Fisherman' is his long, matted beard, through which reeds and water grasses grow. This element not only enhances the visual narrative but also adds texture and realism to the character. The facial hair was created using three separate pieces—a hand-knotted full human hair Barbe pleine (salt-n-pepper), a complementary Moustache (salt-n-pepper), and additional Crêpé de cheveux 10 cm (mid grey) to add length and weight. These pieces were carefully glued directly to the wig lace using Adhésif HD Pro Gum 30 ml, then dressed out with teasing combs and set with hairspray to achieve the desired look.



The eyes were another crucial aspect of 'The Lost Fisherman's' make-up. We emphasized their weariness and sorrow by creating dark circles using a blend of purple and grey shades, making the eyes appear sunken and tired. Redness was subtly added around the waterline and corners of the eyes to simulate irritation from water exposure and emotional distress. This detail helped convey the character's long suffering and the emotional toll of his tragic end.

The Final Look: A Haunting Presence

The final portrayal of 'The Lost Fisherman' was achieved through a combination of make-up, costume design, and lighting. His ghostly visage was further enhanced by dim, cool lighting, which played off the textures and colors in the make-up. The lighting highlighted the scar and the weathered look of his skin, creating an aura of mystery and melancholy around the character. The costume, with its historical elements and supernatural undertones, added to the overall effect, making 'The Lost Fisherman' a compelling and haunting figure.

Conclusion: A Collaborative Masterpiece

The creation of 'The Lost Fisherman' was a true collaborative effort. Each member of the creative team played a vital role in bringing this complex character to life. From the make-up artists who painstakingly crafted his ghostly appearance to the costume, which added layers of history and supernatural elements, every detail was meticulously planned and executed.



This character is a testament to the power of visual storytelling in make-up artistry. Through careful planning, creative collaboration, and technical expertise, 'The Lost Fisherman' was transformed from a tragic backstory into a living, breathing embodiment of sorrow and mystery. His presence in the "Guardians of the Lake" campaign is not just a visual effect but a fully realized character with a haunting tale to tell.

As he continues to wander the banks of the lake, searching for his lost fishing hook and the peace that eludes him, 'The Lost Fisherman' remains a powerful symbol of the unseen horrors that lie beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered by those who dare to look too closely.

Shoot & Campaign Director & Concept Creator: Nadine Langer
Head of Design & Co-Director: Paulina Deptula
Head of Make-up Department & Shoot Producer: Paul Merchant
SFX Prosthetics: Steffi Berghmans
Make-up Artist: Akoya Tamada
Photographer: Rosie Hardy
Lighting Director: Rachel Sherlock
Image Editing: Rosie Hardy & Adam Bird
Set & Props: Jessica Riley
Key Hair Stylist: Shelly Sumner
Hair Stylist Assistant: Grace Davis
Nails: Karen Louise
Marketing BTS film content: Joao Batista
Model: Martin Wright