Making Apes documentary

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Making Apes is a feature documentary (1 h 26 min, 2020) that tells how a close-knit group of make-up artists, led by John Chambers and Tom Burman, reinvented cinematic creatures when they built the ape appliances for Planet of the Apes in 1968.

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A turning point in cinema

Fifty-plus years ago the look of modern movie creatures changed forever on the Fox backlot. Making Apes pulls viewers behind the foam-latex masks to show how Chambers, Burman, and their team developed new techniques, fought tight schedules, and ultimately won the first Academy recognition ever given to make-up effects. Through restored footage, candid set photos, and present-day interviews, the film traces that breakthrough to the wider craft it inspired.

for anyone who loves make-up effects

A front-row seat to history: Trace the rise of special make-up effects from early experiments to today’s industry standards.
Planet of the Apes like you’ve never seen: Explore rare archival footage and behind-the-scenes moments that show how foam-latex pieces turned actors into believable apes.
Legends at the table: Hear candid round-table conversations with celebrated directors who explain why Planet of the Apes transformed cinema.
The craft’s present and future: Meet a who’s-who of today’s leading make-up effects artists as they demonstrate how the techniques forged by Chambers and the Burmans continue to evolve on modern sets.