Making the BAFTA Mask

Wednesday 30 September

View the photo gallery below for a behind the scenes look at how the famous BAFTA masks are made. Watch a film of the process as it happens on Vimeo (Film by Adam Rowley)

The Making of the BAFTA Mask

The iconic BAFTA mask was designed in 1955 by US sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe and has become an internationally-recognised symbol of excellence in the art forms of the moving image. (BAFTA / Marc Hoberman).
The Making of the BAFTA Mask

The masks have been made at the New Pro Foundries in West Drayton, Middlesex since 1976 (BAFTA / Marc Hoberman).
The Making of the BAFTA Mask

The Academy chose a bronze alloy called Phosphor Bronze (PB3) for its specific colour and tone. The alloy is heated to a temperature of 1090 degrees Celsius before being poured into moulds (BAFTA / Marc Hoberman).
The Making of the BAFTA Mask

Once filled with the bronze alloy the moulds take about forty minutes to cool down (BAFTA / Marc Hoberman).
The Making of the BAFTA Mask

The moulds are allowed to cool before the masks are broken free and the rough edges filed down (BAFTA / Marc Hoberman).
The Making of the BAFTA Mask

The hollow reverse of the mask bears an electronic symbol around one eye and a screen symbol around the other, linking dramatic production and new technology in the art forms of the moving image (BAFTA / Marc Hoberman).
The Making of the BAFTA Mask

The Masks are polished by a process using shot blasting with steel (BAFTA / Marc Hoberman).
The Making of the BAFTA Mask

Before presentation at the Academy's Award ceremonies the masks are given a final polish (BAFTA / Marc Hoberman).