Master Makeup Artist Robin Mathews
To the delight of millions of younger fans, a closeup of the beautiful Kristen Stewart fills the screen in Eclipse, the latest entry in the Twilight series. To realize that image, behind-the-scenes on set in Canada, her makeup artist, the proficient Robin Mathews, had to carefully adjust Stewart’s natural complexion to play her... »
30th Anniversary of Raging Bull – The Makeup
In addition to his lengthy career in TV and film, starting as John Chambers’ apprentice in the early 1960s, Michael Westmore served as makeup department head of Star Trek for the franchise’s films and TV shows from 1987 to 2005. He was nominated for a Best Makeup Academy Award for Star Trek: First Contact... »
Below-The-Line Trends: Hybrid Visual Effects Techniques – The Wolfman
As evidenced in films including The Wolfman which many viewers will first see on DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def in its release on Tuesday June 1, the new modus operandi in visual effects production for feature films includes a hybrid of techniques and the use of several vendors to service all of the needs of... »
Makeup Takes Its 29th Turn at the Academy Awards
In the recent round of talk show appearances by actors from the new version of Alice in Wonderland, many of the performers discussed their lengthy stints “getting into costume.” This is both a travesty and at the same time not surprising. While costumes have been heralded by cinema onlookers for decades, makeup... »
Rick Baker’s New Wolf
Throughout his nearly 40-year career, Rick Baker has created some of cinema’s most memorable monsters. The six-time Oscar winner for Best Makeup notably realized one of the greatest horror monsters in movie history with An American Werewolf in London. Now, thirty years later, he is bringing another lycanthropic creature to the screen... »
Contender – Makeup, Mike Elizalde, Hellboy II
It was his work on Hellboy in 2004 that really put Mexico-born makeup artist Mike Elizalde and his company, Spectral Motion, on the map. The film required myriad creatures and action props, and for last year’s sequel Hellboy II: The Golden Army, a whole range of new designs were called for. “We found the... »
Aging Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett for Benjamin Button
In 1976, aspiring makeup artist Greg Cannom made contact with Rick Baker and began working alongside the legendary special makeup effects artist throughout the late ’70s and ’80s. By 1992, Cannom was winning awards of his own for his work on films such as Hook, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Mrs. Doubtfire. During the 1990s,... »
Contender – Makeup, Daniel Phillips, The Duchess
Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, was an 18th century society hostess, trendsetter and political activist who is the subject of a recent film, The Duchess. It stars Keira Knightley in the title role and Ralph Fiennes as the unfaithful Duke, and “was one of the most enjoyable productions I’ve ever worked on,” says Daniel... »
Desperate Housewives Loom Large on the Lot
On the lot at Universal Pictures is a new attraction of truly Jurassic proportions: the world’s largest mobile makeup and hair trailer. It’s the brain trust of Desperate Housewives makeup head John M. Elliott Jr. and hair department head Gabor Heiligenberg, as well as Pegasus Trailer’s Larry Williams and makeup artist Jeff Dawn. The... »
Emmy Makeup Symposium
Cosmeceutical and haircare titans Olay and Pantene, along with the Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists branch of the International Alliance of Theatrical... »
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Director Series
Get Low Director’s First Feature Attracts All-star Cast and CrewAugust 2010 | By Jack Egan
Get Low, a small-budget gem now in theaters, is directed by long-time cinematographer Aaron Schneider, his first time at the helm of a feature... »
Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois show How to Train Your Dragon
April 2010 | By Mary Ann Skweres
Helmed by Oscar-nominated writer/director Chris Sanders and writer/director Dean Deblois (Lilo & Stitch, Mulan), the DreamWorks Animation SKG production of »
Exclusive Film Reviews
Up in the AirDecember 2009 | By Len Klady
Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) has an amiable disposition that belies the fact that it’s best to stay out of his path. You see he’s... »
The Young Victoria
December 2009 | By Len Klady
The enduring image of Queen Victoria, whose reign dominated the bulk of the 19th century, is of a benevolent, elderly grandmother. Though she was... »