Comments on: Faceless People

Faceless People

Hollow — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:03:26 -0800

Mysterious faceless people have been attending prominent London events. Everyone seems to agree that this must be some viral marketing scheme, the most likely culprit being Group Lotus cars who have the facelesspeople.com url. The 'Faceless Ones' were also on Doctor Who forty years ago.

By: Debaser626

Debaser626 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:05:55 -0800

I'd trade my face for a Lotus. Well... better make that two.

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:10:56 -0800

From photo #2: "Faceless People Plaque London Town." Shouldn't that be 'plague?'

By: TheOnlyCoolTim

TheOnlyCoolTim — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:12:13 -0800

If guerrilla marketers don't have a face can I still get in trouble for punching them in it?

By: Dizzy

Dizzy — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:13:34 -0800

All I get is a picture of Madonna with some robot armage. ???

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:15:00 -0800

Here we go again ("True Character Will Emerge in 19 days | 13 Hours | 46 Minutes | xx Seconds")! I bet it's just a viral campaign for a ski area in Taos, New Mexico. ; )

By: rooftop secrets

rooftop secrets — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:16:38 -0800

Splash news link broken?

By: ThePinkSuperhero

ThePinkSuperhero — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:16:52 -0800

The main link is not working for me, it goes to the main page for the site.

By: A189Nut

A189Nut — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:17:17 -0800

Why do people link to headline pages and imagine the same headline will be there even an hour later?

By: beagle

beagle — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:17:55 -0800

Better link here.

By: Astro Zombie

Astro Zombie — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:18:18 -0800

What shall we use To fill the empty faces Where we used to talk? How shall I fill The final places? How should I complete the wall...

By: Mister_A

Mister_A — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:18:27 -0800

I dinna see no faceless ones in the first link.

By: Rhaomi

Rhaomi — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:18:48 -0800

Here's the correct link Creepy.

By: Hollow

Hollow — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:18:53 -0800

Splashnewsonline took down that post for some reason. Here is another one with the same pictures.

By: tjenks

tjenks — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:18:58 -0800

I really hope it's about this guy.

By: Mister_A

Mister_A — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:20:15 -0800

Oh I see now. Yawn. Things devoid of faces is so June of this year.

By: TheOnlyCoolTim

TheOnlyCoolTim — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:20:28 -0800

Story unpublished at first URL, apparently rewonderfuled here.

By: Citizen Premier

Citizen Premier — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:22:18 -0800

Maybe Splash News decided it wasn't newsworthy. Which would be bad tidings for this post. So how exactly are they "faceless?" A latex mask making it look like they have no eyes, nose or mouth? While that would be pretty cool, I can't imagine that they would be very good at walking around by themselves.

By: shakespeherian

shakespeherian — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:25:16 -0800

Yeah you can see in some of the pictures that they're wearing a little badge with the Lotus logo on it (the same one on facelesspeople.com). I don't particularly care, but there you go.

By: Citizen Premier

Citizen Premier — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:27:08 -0800

Ah, I see.

By: Cool Papa Bell

Cool Papa Bell — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:29:06 -0800

Well, I guess there's hope the Rorschach mask will look cool in the upcoming Watchmen film...

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:29:41 -0800

"True Character Will Emerge in 19 days | 13 Hours | 46 Minutes | xx Seconds" The projected date: July 22, 2008 coincides the day before the London Motor Show. I suspect that it's a promotion for the official debut of the Lotus Eagle at the 2008 London Motor Show -- Spy Shots | Teaser Shot. Check out the "face" of the new Lotus Eagle. In related news -- Lotus teases us with more of its mysterious Eagle project.

"Lotus' vague Eagle car project was given a bit more light today with the release of a teaser image on the company's website announcing the brand's 60th anniversary party."

By: Hollow

Hollow — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:29:46 -0800

Actually Shakespeherian, those badges are their passes to Wimbledon. See?

By: ardgedee

ardgedee — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:29:58 -0800

Dude. Mutilation week was last week.

By: The Man from Lardfork

The Man from Lardfork — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:30:14 -0800

No, see it's a pseudoderm attached to the face using a bonding gas released from the wearer's belt buckle.

By: jack_mo

jack_mo — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:33:18 -0800

If it's an advertisement for Lotus and there's 19 days until the reveal, they've started a bit early, no? And I'm not entirely sure associating a sports car with terrifying no-face people who can't see very well is terribly clever from a marketing standpoint - vague notions of being creeped out then run over by partially sighted mutants is not something I'd want associated with my new supercar, really.

By: The Man from Lardfork

The Man from Lardfork — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:35:24 -0800

Damnit, how'd I miss tjenks post?

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:35:37 -0800

Boing Boing strikes again!

By: shakespeherian

shakespeherian — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:35:40 -0800

I'm willing to buy that, Hollow, but I don't see anyone else wearing the same badge in those photos (the man next to them might have one, but it's either glared out or white). If it is the Wimbledon pass, it certainly closely resembles the Lotus logo.

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:39:32 -0800

If it's an advertisement for Lotus and there's 19 days until the reveal, they've started a bit early, no? It's likely a promotion for the first public showing of the Lotus Eagle -- with expected availability in 2010 (which has been previously reported). It's probable meant as a "trade" promotion aimed at the industry reps and automobile aficionados who will be attending this year's London Motor Show.

By: mr_crash_davis

mr_crash_davis — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:40:02 -0800

Billy Idol missed it by this much.

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:41:39 -0800

*probably*

By: Hollow

Hollow — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:44:29 -0800

Ugh. None of my links are going where I want them today. Here in the corner you can see the Wimbledon logo, which is clearly closer to the logo on the badges that they are wearing than the Lotus logo.

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:47:30 -0800

Instead of "booth babes" they'll have Faceless Folks wander the convention floor. Having already had these faceless folks show up at Elton John's White Tie & Tiara Ball, Harrod's Summer Sale and Wimbeldon, over the next two weeks I'd expect them to appear at other fancy, "classy events" -- right in line with Lotus own marketing. Cost effective teaser events.

By: dersins

dersins — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:50:24 -0800

I just can't face another viral marketing post.

By: basicchannel

basicchannel — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:50:35 -0800

Looks like they were unfaced.

By: jimmythefish

jimmythefish — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:51:30 -0800

Uh, the Lotus logo on the tags they're wearing might contain a clue as to who's responsible.

By: regicide is good for you

regicide is good for you — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:51:39 -0800

I truly despise how large corporations are slowly bleeding the mysterious and whimsical of all life. In creating a context where it's assumed anything extraordinary like this is simply another advert, artistic intervention becomes a tool for cultural circumvention, the loop of consumption comes that much closer to being closed, and everyone gets that little bit more cynical. Stunts like this are a crime against imagination, and I deeply resent them.

By: 235w103

235w103 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:04:28 -0800

On the PLUS side, I need one of those masks. Alright, Lotus, time to mail me a no-face and a passel of tickets to New York's finest cultural events.

By: weston

weston — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:05:42 -0800

I just can't face another viral marketing post. Yeah, and it bugs a bit that someone's very first metafilter post is a viral marketing post.

By: Hollow

Hollow — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:12:59 -0800

Actually, I posted one a couple years ago about George Lucas, but it got deleted. We all got to start somewhere.

By: srboisvert

srboisvert — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:13:06 -0800

If you had an iPhone you could see their faces.

By: ...possums

...possums — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:16:55 -0800

I hope they're re-filming the two missing episodes of The Faceless Ones. Damn those lazy BBC archivists!

By: davemee

davemee — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:19:30 -0800

Phew! I was worried for a minute that there wasn't enough advertising on the internet passing itself of as genuine discourse. Thank god we always have reality to fall back on for our advertising needs. Can I pay $10 dollars to reality and get rid of the ads, matthowie? please

By: davejay

davejay — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:19:37 -0800

I'm a car nut, and even I don't think this is a good post for MetaFilter. Unless, of course, it comes with a free Lotus, preferrably in blue. Pepsi blue, specifically. Yeah, and it bugs a bit that someone's very first metafilter post is a viral marketing post. It is a somewhat eponysterical FPP you've made there, Hollow, now that I look at it.

By: The Straightener

The Straightener — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:23:40 -0800

Lotus should pay them to ride the tube and shake their faces at passing trains ala Jacob's Ladder just to fuck with people.

By: damn dirty ape

damn dirty ape — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:34:02 -0800

I truly despise how large corporations are slowly bleeding the mysterious and whimsical of all life. You hire creative people and then you'll get creative output. I dont see how this is hurting anyone and in fact looks pretty neat. If your sense of wonder is so easy hurt then perhaps you should stay off the internet.

By: crapmatic

crapmatic — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:42:18 -0800

It's one thing for a couple of people with Photoshop to trot out some bullshit on the Internet for fun, but it's another for it to have the backing of a multimillion dollar company. This world does not need institutionization and monetization of bullshit. Fuck viral marketing.

By: joannemerriam

joannemerriam — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:43:10 -0800

You know, real aliens could successfully invade simply by making their invasion look like viral marketing.

By: Skeptic

Skeptic — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:43:24 -0800

Pepsi British Racing Green?

By: oonh

oonh — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:47:42 -0800

It's probably just a calcium spill: it's the Helvetica scenario!

By: Pallas Athena

Pallas Athena — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:52:24 -0800

Valar morghulis.

By: gottabefunky

gottabefunky — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:12:37 -0800

More importantly, where/how can I get/make one of these masks for Halloween?

By: everichon

everichon — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:17:17 -0800

Not a fun job, by the look of it. Also: I know they must breathe, but I'd love to know how that works through the apparently impermeable masks.

By: afx237vi

afx237vi — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:27:18 -0800

So that's what the Stig looks like under his helmet.

By: grabbingsand

grabbingsand — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:36:34 -0800

By: zeoslap

zeoslap — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:47:08 -0800

Creepy

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:51:49 -0800

Not a fun job, by the look of it. Also: I know they must breathe, but I'd love to know how that works through the apparently impermeable masks. From some of the photos it appears to me that the masks are made of a sheer fabric stretched across the face -- and likely held in place with adhesive at the edges and covered with make-up to obscure the "seal."

By: darkripper

darkripper — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:34:16 -0800

Yeah. Calling this out for an ad campaign is all well and good, but let's get to the bottom of how the masks are made. That's The Question in need of answers , right there. 'Cause I'd reverse my relatively solid stance against superhero cosplay in a split-second with that kind of knowledge. I remember seing awhile ago someone doing an anon cosplay with some sort of material I don't remember the name of. I'll remember the name eventually. I'm pretty sure that's the same one used there.

By: Webbster

Webbster — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:34:46 -0800

Sapphire and Steel ! Never forgot that episode. Still freaks me to this day.

By: troybob

troybob — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:57:48 -0800

I totally want one of these masks.

By: quin

quin — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:06:44 -0800

235w103 : Alright, Lotus, time to mail me a no-face and a passel of tickets to New York's finest cultural events. I'll handle the Midwest, I am going to require a no-face mask and an Exige.

By: darkripper

darkripper — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:26:42 -0800

Cheesecloth! that was cheesecloth.

By: troybob

troybob — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:45:18 -0800

Of course, this rekindles my eternal fascination with and desire for the Rejuvenique mask...I wonder where these guys got theirs...

By: uandt

uandt — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:24:22 -0800

I remember seing awhile ago someone doing an anon cosplay That was me! I dressed up as anonymous askme once but it sucked! I failed to communicate and to say say what I really wanted so no-one liked me. Then I developed a drug problem. All In one night!

By: Flunkie

Flunkie — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:20:57 -0800

I bet this is what Buckethead looks like under the mask.

By: Greener

Greener — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:33:49 -0800

They're also at Henley

By: lupus_yonderboy

lupus_yonderboy — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:40:39 -0800

Unfortunately, there is no "advertising" flag on MeFi - yet - so I can't flag this as such.

By: Balisong

Balisong — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:00:19 -0800

The song remains the same.

By: slater

slater — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:40:34 -0800

With a name like "Eagle", I would've expected it to be Lotus' entry into the increasingly lucrative SUV market. Alas, it seems it's an unholy marriage of a Lotus Esprit and an Exige

By: w0mbat

w0mbat — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:42:44 -0800

Doctor Who did the faceless thing again only a couple of years ago in the story The Idiot's Lantern.

By: Mastercheddaar

Mastercheddaar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:48:49 -0800

Got a joke: A faceless man walks into a bar, gets drunk (or pissed how multi-cultural of me), and then the bartender kicks him out and says never show your face around here again! The next day the man walks into the bar.... Wow tough crowd!

By: nobeagle

nobeagle — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:19:02 -0800

See, it probably doesn't matter how the masks are made, because if a normal citizen tried wearing them to these events they'd be booted at the door, or shortly escorted out by security if they donned them after entering. We're 2nd class compared to the semi-person corporations.

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:44:27 -0800

What strikes me as interesting is that it seems to be a change from the ususal suspects that show up to these events: pretty faces that stand for nothing but are paid millions to use their talents (read: pretty face) to shill products. In this case we get faceless people that stand in for products for which the corporations have paid for permission for these people to shill.