The season eight premiere of “Face Off” is only days away! It’s crazy to look back and realize how the show has grown since its inception in 2011 to the record breaking series that it is today. Viewers just love it, and it’s no secret why. As you all know, “Face Off” is a unique reality TV experience in that it places very little interest in the drama department and focuses mainly on the breathtaking creations that come from the competitors. The show is educational and it’s inspirational, too. That’s why it’s so hard when your favorite artist is sent packing. You wanted to learn more from them. You wanted to see them succeed!
That’s why I’m going to be nervous as Hell every time Kelly Harris steps in front of the panel fronted by Glenn Hetrick, Ve Neill, and Neville Page. I have very high hopes from her as a competitor on “Face Off.” She is smart, down to earth, funny, and draws inspiration from almost everything you can think of. This makes her a major threat to the other contestants as she’ll never be out of concept ideas. I was drawn to Ms. Harris while looking at the cast line up this year, so naturally I had to interview her! Please take the time to read our interview below where we discuss her life as an artist, her experience so far on “Face Off,” and everything in between!
And don’t forget to tune in on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 for the season eight premiere of “Face Off” on SyFy!
HS: Can you tell the readers a little about yourself? What’s something interesting about you outside the realm of special effects?
KH: I’m 24-years-old and from the big little city of Columbus, Ohio. We have so many cultures here it’s had a huge influence on me growing up. I’ve never leaned towards one group of people or a single culture, I’m a very odd dame. Effects are my world, but it all comes from my obsession with watching horror, fantasy and sci-fi movies. I’m just a huge dork that likes to watch movies, go to metal shows, play tabletop games and eat pizza. I’m pretty easy going and have a very disturbing sense of humor. I also sing in a super secret goregrind band.
HS: Have you worked on any productions – whether it be print, theater, film or television – in the past that you’re particularly proud of?
KH: Once a video I worked on was banned in Germany. That was a pretty big accomplishment for me. I haven’t worked on any major productions yet, but I’ve been in several adds in Fangoria for my Lost or Forgotten family. I hope someday to have my own Fangoria article about my work. I’m now on the same channel as “The Twilight Zone” and that makes my inner 6-year-old self so happy! Someday I hope to shoot several horror/thriller movies I’ve written over the years.
HS: Who or what inspires you the most as an artist?
KH: I’m always inspired by everything around me! I’m always taking pictures of plants, colors, art, people, decomposition, abandoned places, the list goes on! My biggest artistic influence has always been Leonardo da Vinci because being a Renaissance artist has always inspired me. Art has always been huge in my life, but I could never decide on one form. I then realized I didn’t have to choose! I kept learning every form that struck my interests, and that had a major influence on why I was so attracted to the art of SFX makeup. It’s taking skills from many forms of art as well as carpentry and combining them to create something amazing.
HS: What were your first thoughts when you found out you were on “Face Off” season eight as a competitor?
KH: Poop. Everywhere. It was a grueling audition process, ask anyone who went through it, but it was such a great feeling to know my hard work payed off! I was excited and nervous and I still have those feelings waiting for the premiere! It’s all about to get real, real fast.
HS: What were your thoughts when you heard that you’d be competing singularly and as part of a team?
KH: It was all so surreal I was lost in the moment. The auditioning process was long and grueling, but nothing will ever feel like the moment when we opened the doors, saw all the lights and cameras, and then McKenzie’s face greeting us. Seeing the coaches come out was such a curveball! When they lined us up I felt like little chubby 8-year-old Kelly waiting to be picked for dodgeball.
HS: Speaking of the host, what is McKenzie Westmore like on set?
KH: She is the most genuinely beautiful person inside and out! She’s also even prettier in person! As soon as we met her she made an effort to greet and shake hands with every contestant. I was half expecting a diva and got the complete opposite! Most down to earth person and always giving out positive energy. Her and her father, Michael Westmore, whom I’m beyond gracious to have coach us in the lab, are some of the most wonderful people on the planet. I cannot speak highly enough of them!
HS: Did competing on “Face Off” challenge you in a way you didn’t expect? If so, what was it?
KH: Being cut off from the world and your loved ones was way harder than I could have imagined. I was surrounded by amazing people, but the stress of not being able to call home hit us all in different ways. I couldn’t imagine how it must have felt for others to leave their families and not be able to talk to their kids. It was really hard not being able to have my horror movies or comic books, or friends, but we all created the weirdest stuff to entertain each other.
HS: What advice do you have for special effects artists, myself included, who are just starting to learn the craft?
KH: The best advice I can give to any artist in any field is try, suck, get better, repeat. I was terrible when I first started creating effects as a young teenager. I bought my first bottle of latex at a fetish shop because that was the only place I’ve heard of them selling it year round. Little did I know there was a costume shop near me I ended up later working for. I’m always drawing ideas and researching techniques. The worst thing any artist can do is think they’ve learned enough.
HS: How do you feel going forward into 2015?
KH: 2015 is probably going to be the biggest and busiest year of my life! I cant wait to see where my experience on “Face Off” takes me and all of my fellow contestants! So scary and exciting!
Kelly Harris is so deserving of her current success and I couldn’t be more happy for her. She is definitely HorrorSociety approved! Since “Face Off” returns on January 13th, it’s important that fans of the show and special effects artists in general get the word out about this rising talent. Please follow Kelly on Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date on her happenings and to see some of her work pre-reality TV. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Basically, show some support, yall!
Good luck, Kelly! See you on SyFy!
