This week starts in a warehouse in downtown Los Angeles, where McKenzie and horror creator Oren Peli set up the inspiration for this week’s Spotlight challenge, In the Shadows. The contestants choose a shadow from the wall and must create the supernatural creature that cast that shadow. The teams take time to sketch before returning to the work room.
The work room is relatively drama free this round as the Contestants concentrate on this week’s challenge, that seems to have truly inspired the crew. It’s hard to tell which Contestant will be the top this week, though Corinne’s sculpt seems elementary compared to the rest, with a very basic goblin design. The mold for her cowl locks so she abandons it for a wig, which should clearly place her in the bottom looks. The others work hard on fabrication, and help each other to finish their ambitious designs.
On application day Cat opens her mold to find the seams are much too large to repair in time, so she casts them aside to work on the application and paint. Without the arms her silhouette doesn’t match the shadow she chose, and the only prosthetic piece being the head, may put her in bottom looks. Tanner’s paint not finished and prosthetics not adhering, make it clear that he has much to worry about.
On the stage, the judges (including Oren Peli) are confused by many of the Contestant’s choices. George, Niko and Tyler stand out above the rest for creativity.
Safe: George, Tyler, Chloe, Rashaad & Matt
Strongest: Graham, Niko & Corrine
Weakest: Daran, Cat, & Tanner
This Week’s Winner: Niko Voted Out: Tanner
Frustrated again by the Judge’s choices, I felt Corinne’s piece was more cute than creepy. It lacked imagination and looked like something you could easily buy at a Halloween Superstore. George and Tyler seemed far more deserving to be in the top, while Corinne at best should only have been safe. I did agree that Niko was the strongest of the top picks, his piece was well done and graceful for its size. Tanner was the obvious choice for bottom looks with all the construction flaws in his work. I do think he could be excellent at practical effects, given more time to learn the fabrication basics.