As the hot summer air turns to a cool fall breeze, Zoombezi Bay begins its transition into ZOMBIEzi Bay, Central Ohio’s horror theme park!
From park theming to staffing changes, there are many elements that go into transforming a water park into a horror theme park. For this post, we’re taking you behind the scenes for an exclusive look at how the monsters are made at ZOMBIEzi Bay!
Meet Cianna Gaston, one of the two lead makeup artists for ZOMBIEzi Bay, who joined the team in 2021. We talked to Cianna and learned all about her journey as a special effects makeup artist and what it takes to do makeup for the talented staff at ZOMBIEzi Bay.
Q: Where did you learn how to do special effects makeup? How long have you been doing it?
A: I started getting into special effects makeup when I was around 16 years old by watching YouTube videos about creating a “Halloween look.” I then decided to get my associates degree in special effects makeup at the Douglas Education Center.
Q: How did you get involved with ZOMBIEzi Bay?
A: In the summer of 2016, I worked in the rides department at the Columbus Zoo. A few years later, I was attending a friend’s wedding who also worked in the rides department, and a few people who also worked at the Zoo were there. I was initially asked about the job during the reception, and I was very excited about it. I was emailed about a week later with more information and officially jumped onboard in February 2021.
Q: What kinds of products do you use to create a look?
A: We primarily use airbrush and alcohol-based makeup. For more detailed looks, we will use prosthetic pieces called Tinsley Transfers, which are applied by just using water. For icon characters, I sculpt detailed latex-based prosthetics for them to wear.
Q: How long does it take to create a look for an actor at ZOMBIEzi Bay? How many people need their makeup done each night?
A: We usually have 10 to 12 makeup artists working on an average of 90 actors per night, so we have to work fast! We try to only allow 5 to 10 minutes per face. The makeup for icon characters, such as Zombie Sara, is more detailed and may take up to 30 minutes to complete the look.
Q: Do you start a makeup with a specific look in mind, or do you just create as you go?
A: Each night, I try to have a few looks in mind for each house. We also keep a stack of inspiration pictures for our artist to look through inside the makeup room if they need more ideas. However, a lot of the time, I will create as I go.
Q: What’s your favorite part of the makeup process?
A: My favorite part has to be painting veins on the zombie characters. It’s surprisingly relaxing!
Q: What’s some advice that you’d give to someone looking to try their hand at special effects makeup?
A: Be sure to research about the products you intend to use before putting them on a face. No one likes liquid latex in their eyebrows! Also, in the haunt world, when it comes to errors made during the makeup process, you can always cover up a bad edge with fake blood!
Q: What’s your favorite memory that you’ve made so far while being part of the ZOMBIEzi Bay team?
A: I have made too many fun memories while working at ZOMBIEzi Bay to pick just one! But one that sticks out took place last year when we did a photoshoot inside the Sound Surfer slide at Zoombezi Bay at night. Poor Zombie Sara couldn’t see too well due to a prosthetic piece she was wearing, and we were trying our hardest not to literally slide down the slide!
Cianna is one of the many talented team members who make up the ZOMBIEzi Bay horde. When you come across one of Cianna’s (or any of the other artists’!) creations at ZOMBIEzi Bay, we wish you good luck! These monsters have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of new playmates for months…
ZOMBIEzi Bay, Central Ohio’s horror theme park opens Friday, September 16! ZOMBIEzi Bay is not recommended for children under the age of 13 because at ZOMBIEzi Bay, the nightmares are real.
Click to watch Cianna transform Columbus Zoo's President and CEO into "Zombie Tom"
