CAKE MAKE-UP

This was used to decorate every zombie in the movie. As previously described in the SFX section, it is a powder applied with a damp sponge and comes in virtually any colour. It was without doubt the most vital make-up appliance in the film despite the fact that it is hardly used in the business, being far more appropriate for theatre and black & white photography.

MORTICIAN'S WAX

This is what Savini used for several gags, most notably the gun shots to the head. Having prepared the internal wound on the zombie actor, Tom attached fish wire to a button and placed it on top of the wound. He then took morticians wax, a very soft putty, and moulded it around the actors wound. To finish the gag, he coloured the wax with the same colour cake make-up.

Although Tom's gunshot injuries still seem very realistic, the not-so-versatile morticians wax is rarely used nowadays. It has been replaced by Derma Wax which is transparent, easy to knead, and adheres well to the skin.