How can I make a decently realistic-looking severed head?

Question:

How can I make a decently realistic-looking severed head?

I'm in charge of props for a student film we'll be shooting in two weeks, and I have to make 16 severed heads. At least a few of them have to be realistic looking. I don't know how to make them, though. Any ideas of how to make these with hardly any money?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Umm.. I would not use Styrofoam. Some paint can literally eat away at the foam. I used to have those foam heads that you would see wigs on them. I painted the top with nail polish which ate away at the foam. Then I sealed it and did the bloody stuff. Turned out pretty well.

It really depends on your budget. MAKING 16 on a student film isn't very realistic whatsoever. You can buy fake dummy heads that have skin tons and eyes and everything and then do the blood and gore from there.

Another idea is to sculpt it from a balloon and paper mache, depending on what you will be doing with them. If they are not going to be touched, but just used in the background, it would work since this stuff can be fairly fragile. Just mold the eye area and everything. Super easy. Then paint it.. and then cover in gooey blood.

Good luck.