Facing finale of ‘Face Off’

Our love of Syfy’s “Face Off” is well-documented. In 13 seasons, talented special makeup effects artists from all over the country (including a few each season from Pittsburgh or the Art Institute of Pittsburgh or, more likely the Tom Savini program at the Douglas Education Center in Monessen) create astonishing looks in three days or less.

And they are, with rare exception, nice to each other. It’s been the biggest magic of all, these ultra-competitive people so happy to help each other.

With one episode left in the franchise (insert sad-face emoji here), there’s a Pittsburgh designer still fighting for the $100,000 prize. Jordan Patton, a Mount Washington resident, is up against Matt Valentine and Walter Welsh. The first of the twopart finale aired last week with the winner to be announced Tuesday.

“Face Off” finales are generally the same: Each of the finalists can choose a couple of eliminated artists to help them create a couple of themed characters. Alas, this season’s theme is “Alice Through the Looking Glass” and hasn’t been as pizzazzworthy as some past ideas (such as demon possession or a dark riff on “Swan Lake”).

You’ve got your “Porcelain Prince,” “Tin Jester,” etc. Mr. Patton is assigned to make a fox and a grasshopper: granted, a nice opportunity for whimsy but not a knock-your-socks-off concept. All of the designers scramble even more than usual to get ready for a camera test because their creatures will be filmed.