Athena Zhe

In the second season premiere of Syfy's hit reality competition series, Face Off, fourteen special effects make-up artists meet at the Universal Studios backlot and are presented with their first Foundation Challenge -- to create an original character from head-to-toe using items they find in make-up, wardrobe and prop trailers. The contestants meet at the legendary Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood and learn their Spotlight Challenge is to completely recreate four classic charactersm -- the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, Cowardly Lion and Wicked Witch of the West -- from L. Frank Baum's classic novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Next, the contestants are informed that they'll be competing in two teams -- the men versus the women. It all leads to a spectacular finish on the Face Off Reveal Stage where completely re-imagined versions of these iconic characters are unveiled, and the first contestant is eliminated.

Contestants arrive at the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific and learn their Spotlight Challenge is to select a fish that serves as inspiration for an original sea creature makeup. But there's a twist: the creatures will be unveiled in a massive water tank on stage in front of the judges. The teams immediately get to work trying to create make-ups that are not only beautiful but also waterproof. While most teams quickly find a common ground, one bickering team struggles. It all leads to the most dramatic makeup reveals yet with the contestants watching nervously as their sea creatures are completely submerged in water. Several of the creatures are stunning triumphs but one is a disaster the moment it hits the water.

The contestants are awakened in the middle of the night and told to depart for a mystery location. They arrive at Linda Vista Community Hospital, an abandoned hospital in Los Angeles that is believed to be haunted. For their Spotlight Challenge, each contestant selects a phobia (razors, electricity, parasites, etc.) and must then create a horror villain that personifies that fear. For inspiration, the contestants are then sent to eerie hospital rooms to work on their individual designs in the dark. At the lab, the contestants are ecstatic to meet guest judge and horror icon, Tom Savini (Day of the Dead). Later, when the characters are revealed on the Face Off stage, one insecure contestant achieves a stunning triumph, while two cocky contestants completely crash and burn. GUEST JUDGE: Tom Savini.

Contestants are asked to create art worthy of hip-hop star Asher Roth's album cover, but are surprised to find out they'll be body-painting nude models. GUEST JUDGE: Asher Roth

Contestants are challenged to create a whimsical character that is worthy of appearing in a Tim Burton film.