Bill Skarsgård’s ‘Nosferatu’ Transformation: Six Hours of Makeup, a 62-Piece Prosthetic, a Bushy Mustache and More Count Orlok Secrets Revealed

As a veteran makeup artist with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must admit that working on “NOSFERATU” was one of the most challenging and rewarding projects of my career. The opportunity to bring such an iconic character as Count Orlok to life, while staying true to the original film’s aesthetic and atmosphere, was a dream come true for me.

The process of creating Orlok’s look was both meticulous and intricate, requiring countless hours of research, testing, and collaboration with director Robert Eggers and the rest of the production team. I found myself drawing inspiration from various sources, including historical portraits, traditional Transylvanian culture, and the original 1922 Nosferatu film.

One of the most significant challenges was finding a balance between maintaining Orlok’s charisma and charm while also making him terrifying and monstrous. I believe we achieved this by focusing on subtle details such as his elongated fingers, arthritic hands, and milky-white scleral contact lenses that transformed his eyes into a dead stare.

The final shot of Orlok lying dead on Ellen was particularly memorable for me. Working closely with Robert Eggers, we sought to capture the feeling of Orlok’s lifeless husk, having all life sucked from him, every last drop of blood. Our inspiration came from a 5,300-year-old iceman found in the Alps, and I must say it was an unforgettable experience to see our creation come to life on screen.

All in all, working on “NOSFERATU” was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that allowed me to push the boundaries of my craft and create something truly unique and memorable. And as for the joke, here it goes: I guess you could say that Orlok’s transformation was a real nail-biter! (Pun intended.)

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains mild spoilers about “Nosferatu,” now playing in theaters.

Robert Eggers’ horror movie “Nosferatu” is garnering a lot of positive attention for its attention to detail, from the intricate costumes to the stunning city and sea views, right down to the boats and carriages. However, it’s Bill Skarsgård’s chilling portrayal as the terrifying Count Orlok that has everyone talking.

David White, the mastermind behind the prosthetic makeup effects in “Nosferatu,” shares insights into Skarsgård’s captivating appearance, the creative influences that haunted him, and an analysis of the film’s iconic final scene. Despite Focus Features keeping the full images of Count Orlok under wraps, White, currently overseas for his next project, provided exclusive answers to EbMaster regarding our most pressing questions.

How long did it take to develop the look for Count Orlok?

Prior to our conversation, I’d been chatting with Robert for almost a year. At home, I had a plaster mold of Bill, which served as a foundation for my preliminary sculptural sketch. This sketch helped determine the scope of the prosthetics and the layers of material needed for the final appearance. Moreover, during this process, I delved into crucial aspects such as his age, his dominance and charm, his nobility, and the level of decay and decomposition he would exhibit in the end.

After securing my team, I joined forces with my lead sculptor, Colin Jackman, to refine the appearance we aimed for. This phase evolved into a workshop setting that lasted approximately three to four months. During this time, we started to harmonize all components and transitioned towards applying the makeup on Bill for testing. Upon receiving approval, we manufactured numerous prosthetic replicas for the filming. I can’t help but feel grateful for having an exceptional workshop team and a remarkable on-set squad, many of whom had been with me for years, making them well aware of what they were getting themselves into, as our commitment and zeal would be crucial.

What looks inspired you?

Growing up, I was always drawn to the macabre, with a particular fascination for horror novels and creatures that dwell in the shadows. One memory from my childhood stands out vividly: rummaging through the dusty shelves of the local library’s horror section, I stumbled upon a book that would leave an indelible mark on me. Upon opening it, my eyes landed on a full-page, stark black-and-white image of Max Schreck as Nosferatu. That haunting visage is etched into my memory to this very day.

My fascination with the mysterious and unknown extends beyond mere horror stories; I am captivated by natural history and the creatures that live their entire lives in darkness. Most of these beings are eerily silent, shrouded in a ghostly pallor, driven only by the primal need to sustain themselves. Their elusive nature adds an air of mystery that continues to intrigue me even now.

Initially, upon commencing production, Robert shared an image with me of a painting depicting a character he had created several years prior. Although shrouded in darkness, it possessed a striking silhouette and greyish complexion that effectively conveyed the atmosphere Robert aimed to achieve. This served as a strong catalyst for my creative process, enabling me to delve deeper into a three-dimensional interpretation of his vision.

How did you want to echo other “Nosferatu” looks while developing something new and fresh?

Working with Bill Skarsgård guaranteed a fresh, innovative take on the character, as he possesses an exceptional physique, expressive eyes, and remarkable acting skills. While there are faint reminders of Max Schreck’s original portrayal in his appearance, these similarities are brief and transient. Our Orlok offers a more profound, visually captivating interpretation, establishing himself as a unique entity within the role.

How long was Bill Skarsgård in the makeup chair each day to put on the look? To take it off?

Bill’s duration spent on the chair fluctuated, ranging from about 4.5 hours when only his head and hands were involved, to six hours when he used full-body prosthetics. It typically took around 45 minutes to remove these prosthetics.

What was the most challenging part to develop?

The toughest aspect to work on was designing a prosthetic makeup that needed to function on multiple fronts, yet maintain just one sculptural appearance. I had to come up with creative solutions to fulfill all the requirements.

I intentionally aimed to maintain an air of mystery about his age, making him seem timeless or ageless. To achieve this, I carefully controlled the presence of wrinkles and prominent character lines, instead opting for a less crowded appearance with no hooded eyelids or eye bags. It was crucial that he appeared appealing and charismatic to Ellen while still concealing his underlying decay by remaining in the shadows. His coloration proved challenging as well. I designed two distinct appearances: one for when he resided in his Sarcophagus, where his “trance state” coloring was a shade of puce with reddish blemishes and dark tones; and another for his daytime appearance, which was pale and sickly.

What was the discussion about him having a mustache like?

Robert’s enthusiasm for the era’s traditions significantly shaped the overall appearance of Orlok. Given his noble bearing, Robert felt strongly that Orlok should sport a mustache and forelock. I believe this decision was spot-on and it has never crossed my mind to consider anything else since then. Without these distinctive features, Orlok simply doesn’t resemble himself.

How many prosthetic pieces did you use and what were they?

Orlok’s artificial head and face consist of no less than nine separate parts: a neck, the back of his head, his jawline, both cheeks, upper and lower lips, ears, a forehead, and even a separate piece for his nose and nose bridge.

Additionally, he’s equipped with both upper and lower artificial limbs, featuring eight finger extensions adorned with nails, and two thumbs, each fitted with a blade-like prosthesis to conceal their sharp edges.

62 individual prosthetic components are used to create the full-body prosthesis for Orlok, requiring a team of six professionals to apply them.

How did you transform his eyes?

Bill relies on his unassisted vision during daytime, granting him a broad range of self-expression. For his trance-like state, he dons full scleral contact lenses, making his eyes appear as a stark, milky white, reminiscent of an unblinking gaze.

How did you land on the look for his nails and hands?

Robert wanted Bill’s fingers to be extended to their maximum length without becoming impractical for daily use, such as writing, opening boxes, or manipulating objects. However, there was a limitation since Bill’s nails were long and rough, adding to the finger length. Moreover, Robert requested that the fingers should appear slightly arthritic. This required careful adjustments, as the material used for the extensions needed to be firm enough to transmit vibrations, enhancing Bill’s sensitivity. This process involved extensive testing.

Could you break down the final shot, when Orlok is dead on top of Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp), and how you achieved that look? What conversations did you have with Robert about that?

The scenario unfolds with the sun streaming through the room and illuminating Orlok. Robert aimed to transition from Orlok’s agonizing shrieks to the concluding shot of him lifeless on Ellen, reduced to merely a shell.

I provided Robert with different models of corpses in various stages of decay and desolation. He was particularly drawn to the sensation of Orlok, as if every trace of life had been drained from him, leaving not a drop of blood behind. Our finishing touch came from a photograph we used as a reference, showcasing the discovery of a 5,300-year-old mummy found in the Alps.

Once I finished my task, it was captured on set along with VFX, followed by scanning both the corpse and Bill in a conclusive shot. The VFX team subsequently amplified the distressing deterioration shared between the two glances to round off the scene.

2025-01-02 20:48