How to build a Star Trek Borg (pictures)

Oscar-winning makeup artist Michael Westmore, a mentor on the competition show "Face Off," also has the heft of a massive Star Trek resume behind him. He has worked on every Star Trek series except for the original '60s show. Westmore hosted a live-on-stage Borg-making demonstration at the 50th anniversary Star Trek convention in Las Vegas.

Borg modeling is a rare opportunity, the sort of thing that can pretty much only happen at a Star Trek convention. This model is also an accomplished costume maker. It usually took three to five hours to apply Borg makeup and gear during production on the various Star Trek TV series that featured the relentless villain. The convention demo took less than an hour, thanks to pre-applied makeup and costuming.

Michael Westmore, a Borg makeup expert, points out some details in the pre-painted makeup design for the Borg model.

The Borg model was already decked out in a full body suit with molded cyborg electronics on it. Makeup artists on stage for the Borg-making demo applied the final pieces to turn the model into a full-fledged member of the collective.

Makeup artists work on a Borg model, applying headpieces with working lights. A battery pack sits hidden on the back of the costume to power the lights.

The Borg model at the build-a-Borg demo worked on this elaborate costume. Here's a good look at the legs and the molded electronics shapes built into the material.

The Borg from Star Trek may be one of the scariest sci-fi villains ever shown on television. Makeup artists spent less than an hour putting this Borg together on stage during the 50th anniversary convention in Las Vegas, though it required quite a bit of makeup work before the live demo.

The Borg showed up in multiple Star Trek series, as well as in Trek movies.
One of the trademark features of a Borg is tubing running into the flesh. Here, a makeup artist attaches a tube to the side of this Borg's face, using adhesive to keep it in place.

A makeup artist applies some color to finish up the Borg makeup. Shading helps to bring the look together after all the eye and head pieces are applied. Notice the "Teen Wolf" designation on the makeup kit.

A hidden battery pack powers Borg lights. On the set of Star Trek, it was up to each individual makeup artist to make sure their Borg clients had proper power before filming.

Michael Westmore's team of makeup artists helped to bring a Borg to life in front of a live audience at the 50th anniversary Star Trek convention in Las Vegas. The fully decked-out alien features working lights and a hologram eyepiece.

Borg makeup is one of the most challenging Star Trek looks. It took a team of professional makeup artists and costume-makers to build this Borg during a live makeup demonstration. The Borg decided her name would be "Three of Nine."