The Orient Express

Last Friday I received the final male prototype mask from "the new company" - the Asian mask. They will have a launch with three male and two female masks.

When I was discussing this mask with the principals, I said that I wanted to be a bit more versatile with it. I wanted a very smooth, shiny head with no stubble. In this way, I could wear a wig with it, or go for the Asian gangster look. As with the young black guy and the older white guy, the company is going for "average" rather than handsome. Sigh ... so much for Takeshi Kaneshiro ...

As far as the facial hairing went, I wanted to have a little bit of stubble on the upper lip and chin. You often see young Asian guys with a (very) little bit of stubble on their face, so I wanted to emulate that particular look. I also told the folks there that I wanted a bit more of a golden cast to the skin, versus the paler Han-type complexion you see in northern China.

Pulling off a truly realistic Asian face over a Caucasian one is sort of like the Holy Grail of mask-making. The Asian face has some slightly different proportions than your typical white guy, and getting those two to blend (as well as having a proper epicanthic fold on the upper eyelid) is a feat in itself.

I'm happy to say that they did it. Big time.

I couldn't wait to get home and try it on. I barricaded my office door and slipped it over my head. I couldn't believe how well the mask fit, how it moved and how excellently the eyes were done. Well ... after seeing both of their other prototypes, I wasn't too surprised. I did a photoshoot this weekend with all of the bells and whistles - little bit of eye makeup, brown contacts and wig (actually two - I got them on ebay).

I definitely got a sort of Korean or southeast Asian feel to the mask so "Dac Kien Nguyen" or "Darren Nguyen" was born.

This mask - along with my SPFX Player Mask as a prison inmate - effected one of the most amazing total  transformations I have ever done. Staring at myself in the mirror, I really saw a good-looking Asian guy looking back at me.

Here are some samples:

I then decided to do a more stylish portion of the shoot. I had a midnight blue shirt from Express and a pair of black linen Armani pants which I thought would look great together. All the ab workouts are paying off handsomely since I actually surprised myself how trim around the waist I've become...

A pair of lightly tinted sunglasses also provide a great look - just enough to barely obscure the eyes:

And finally, I wanted to see how Darren would look without a wig. I probably should have changed the outfit, but it was getting late and I had errands to run. I'd say he looks just as good bald as he does with a nice thick shock of hair!

I posted these (as well as some additional) pics on Facebook. Overall, the response has been great. So far, I think  my favorite comment has been:

Damn, you look like Bruce Lee LOL. You really look Asian. To be honest I was never convinced that any company could create an Asian mask, but now I am wrong. You just look Asian buddy. Amazing!