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Makeup and special effects artist Carina Ojoko, known as Carina SFX, says her work on Five Figurines was built to blend into the story.
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She describes the look as subtle and bold at once, with the special effects makeup tying the story together.
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Her biggest challenge was keeping a contact lens consistent on the lead actress across scenes without irritating her eyes.
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The Akay Mason film opens in Nigerian cinemas on Friday, November 13.
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Carina has multiple nominations and awards to her name.
November 12, (THEWILL) – Makeup and special effects artist Carina Ojoko, known as Carina SFX, says her work on Five Figurines, which premiered last Sunday, was built to blend into the story. The result is a look that supports the film’s visuals without pulling focus.
She describes the look as subtle and bold at once, with the special effects makeup tying the story together.
She told this writer, a day before the film reaches cinemas nationwide, that the makeup is not about novelty.
The goal was balance; to achieve a look that is subtle and bold at once, and blends into the story so well that it never distracts from it.
The special effects makeup follows the same rule. Carina says it ties the story together very nicely without pulling focus.
Asked about the most challenging part of the job, she says it had little to do with prosthetics.
It was the contact lens. The lead actress wears one in some of the film’s standout scenes and not in others, which meant the team had to keep it consistent from shot to shot.
They also had to make sure her eyes didn’t get irritated and that she didn’t get worn out by it, since discomfort could have affected the shoot.
On whether she or the rest of the cast and crew approached the film differently, Carina says her own approach did not change, because she gives every project her full effort.
She would not speak for anyone else, noting that everyone has a different way of working.
What she did notice was a fresh script, plenty of preparation, and a director who answered every question she had about the story.
In her words, everyone seemed to see the director’s vision “as clear as day.”
She says the production made sure the 100 percent she gives to every project did not go to waste. “I worked according to what the script needed and I did it in the highest quality,” she said.
As for what audiences should expect, she points first to the opening scene, which she says will keep viewers hooked. “The dialogue, the direction and the story are fresh,” she adds, “and each scene leaves you wanting more.” “A few VFX shots are also very captivating,” she says.
Five Figurines opens in cinemas nationwide on Friday, November 13.
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Five Figurines in Cinemas
Five Figurines is a psychological thriller and murder mystery.
The story follows the fallout of a deep romance between Grace Bassey (Uche Montana) and a young man named Innocent (Chimezie Imo). When Innocent dies under mysterious circumstances, it shakes his close-knit circle of friends.
Innocent’s grieving mother (Bimbo Akintola)—who sacrificed everything to educate him—demands answers and seeks traditional vengeance against whoever is responsible.
A dark whodunnit unfolds as five mysterious, ancient-looking wooden carvings become linked to the hidden secrets, betrayals, guilt, and ultimate fates of five individuals within the friend group.
The cast includes Uche Montana, Ini Edo, Mike Ezuruonye, Odunlade Adekola, Bimbo Akintola, Chimezie Imo, Ireti Doyle, Chuks Joseph, etc.
The film held its Lagos premiere on Sunday at The Rock Drive in Lekki. It is the first release from Element 24 Media, Mason’s new production company, and Cinemax is distributing it.
Mason did not respond to questions to confirm the official budget and projected box office, by press time.
Special Effects Makeup Design in Nollywood
Special effects makeup in Nollywood rarely gets the attention that acting, directing or cinematography does, even though a film like this leans heavily on it. Carina is one of the artists changing that.
She is nominated for and has won multiple awards. Her credits include Blood Sisters, To Kill a Monkey, Guinness World Record-breaking film Black Market, and The Secret Lives of Baba Segi Wives coming soon, amongst others, and her work has drawn attention beyond Nigeria.
Dread Central named her among the most influential Black women in special effects makeup.
She has also worked on Mason’s earlier films, including Day of Destiny and Elevator Baby, so Five Figurines is a reunion.
Gertrude Oby is a writer and journalist passionate about the creative industries. Works span fashion, film, media, art, and culture.