Life's A Blur

Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds: Behind the Scenes

Life's a Blur chatted up our friends at Kanebo's SENSAI line who introduced us to Heba Thor, the department head of makeup for the upcoming film. Below is our first excerpt directly from the SENSAI brand Advisor.

The SENSAI Adivsor from Kanebo had a chance to catch up to the busy Heba Thorisdottir, the Department Head for Quentin Tarantino’s much anticipated  Inglourious Basterds as she was catching up after working on the film’s LA premiere this week. Heba has worked with innumerable film actors, directors, musicians and stars during her career. Most recently her work has included, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, He’s Just Not That Into You, The Spirit, The Other Boylen Girl and The Nannie Diaries. She is often Scarlett Johansson’s personal makeup artist on her films as well.

A little about the film,   From Sky Movies: Inspired by the Dirty Dozen movies, Quentin Tarantino's latest features a Jewish girl whose family has perished in the Holocaust. She finds sanctuary in a Parisian cinema run by a kindly Frenchwoman. At the same time a group of Jewish-American soldiers - "The Basterds" - are terrorising the Nazis behind enemy lines. When a German war hero seeks to screen a propaganda film at the cinema it offers the perfect chance for vengeance....

SENSAI Advisor: Tell us about your experience on Inglourious Basterds—it looks like it is going to be another unique Quentin Tarantino film!

Heba Thorisdottir: I’ve worked with Quentin previously on Kill Bill (Volume 1 and 2), with Quentin I don’t prep a lot—I just know to be prepared for anything! We shot for four months mostly in Babelsberg Studios just outside of  Berlin—then we were a week in the countryside which was beautiful! There were some locations in Berlin as well and we shot a couple days in Paris.  Quentin creates a family like atmosphere and on the last shooting day of the week he picks a bar we all go to to wind down. That way, we get to know each other on a social level as well as professional. Quentin knows everyone who works on his sets. And I mean everyone and what they do! If he needs anything, he'll go to the right person and ask for it and doesn't have to be asking someone else to go and get something.

I got the script over the Fourth of July weekend last year. I went to Germany a month before shooting began to do makeup tests. I met all the actors and had to decide if the actors were wearing any facial hair and they got haircuts and got fitted for their costumes. Inglourious Basterds is a WWII film and we have to follow that period as closely as possible. Quentin uses KNB Creations on special effects makeup on all the true life figures such as Hitler, Goebbles and Churchill. Anything gory that involved more than throwing blood and dirt on---they took care of that.

SENSAI Advisor: There are two strong female characters in the film, tell us about their looks.

 

Heba Thorisdottir: Yes, there is no one lead, except for Brad and there are so many actors who have really important roles in the film, I loved working with all of them! The two main female characters are played by Melanie Laurent who plays Shoshanna Dreyfus and Diane Kruger’s character Bridget von Hammersmark two women who are very different characters.

The character Shoshanna Dreyfus—played by Melanie Laurent—is a theater owner—her character is in hiding from the Nazis, she doesn’t want to be noticed, we down played her beauty, she kinda wears men’s makeup, she doesn’t want anyone to pay attention to her.

 

 

 

We have a scene at the end where she’s applying her own makeup—she would apply on camera and we would fix it—it was layers upon layers of lipstick. I wanted to be clear that her character did it!

 

http://melanielaurent.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=243&pos=0

 

PART II on Thursday: Diane Kruger is Bridget von Hammersmark

Director John Hughes Gone Too Soon..."Don't Mess With The Bull, You'll Get the Horn's Mr. Bender"

The voice of a generation passed too early. The director John Hughes has passed on, a man who gave us so many classic cinematic moments--a sad day for those of us who appreciate the unique film canon this man brought us--especially those of us who grew up with Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the Breakfast Club and Pretty In Pink. "It's easy to see why The Breakfast Club appeals to teens – it understands their problems, sympathizes, and tells them that, no, it's not always their fault." critic Shay Casey and the voice continues on for a new generation too: Director John Hughes dies at The Insider Shared via AddThis

Grace Jones ROCKS New York City!!

After an 18 year absence, last night saw the glorious return of a true living legend! Proving once and for all that this woman is a force to be reckoned with, Grace Jones took the stage at the Hammerstein Ballroom to the roar of her adoring fans. A mix of old skool cool and metro-mix of personalities filled the Hammerstein to capacity as Bette Midler was rumored to be somewhere watching too...how deliciously juxtaposed.

The line slinked down to 9th Avenue on 34th as the street came alive with fans decked out in their finest fair of dress that would only pale in comparison when the diva took to the stage. With a generous pour at the bar, fans enjoyed the conversation and the fun DJ set while waiting...not too long at all in Grace time, for the lights to dim and the stage to tremble in anticipation of what was to come.

The black scrim rose to a figure writhing in a metallic sheath under a keen spotlight...the crowd screamed as the figure twitched and twisted and her voice rose singing This Is Life and the thundering beat trembled across the capacity crowd at the Hammerstein, and Grace had arrived. Unleashing herself her first outfit best described as the love child of a zebra and Alien with a Gieger-esque Phillip Tracy hat she dedicated William's Blood to Michael Jackson and the night was set.

Belting out flawless songs with engaging stories in between, Grace owned the stage the way only a self-proclaimed Diva should, saying as much in one of her prolonged tales told off-stage as she kept us enrapt waiting to see what would happen next. Her Love is a Drug number set an eery sheen to her besparkled ballon pants and bowler cap as she seemed to be beamed in from above, the light of the lasers alighting on her like icy rays of sheer synchronicity.

opening:

Set after set, song after song Grace came out with a voice as strong as fire and a wardrobe to match. Her voice has been lost in all the online postings about her garb, but don't forget that this woman is still in her prime and lay down the gauntlet for the next generation. Working through her set from an album she "never thought I'd make," her performance of Hurricane was downright jawdropping as her outfit morphed and unfurled across the stage as if her energy could no longer be contained.

As she left the stage in a flurry of confetti, this awestruck writer only hopes Grace doesn't wait another 18 years to return to rule the Big Apple if only for another night. 

Gay Penguins Harry, Pepper Split Up

What is the world Coming to....

Gay Penguins Harry, Pepper Split Up

Shared via AddThis

Miami Vice(s)

It's summer time and the beach is hotter in Miami, Bravo has brought us Miami Social the dramatic tales of the not-so-young-bloods that "rule" Miami...really?

"In Miami Social, Bravo will follow a successful group of friends who are some of the most connected and interesting young professionals in South Beach, as they go from the city's night life, to the board room, to magazine offices where they lead their intertwined lives."

"Bravo explores the lives of a group of hot, young professionals – corporate types by day and party animals by night – as they navigate the sometimes murky waters of Miami's hottest locales." The show is a fluffy slice of the glitz and yes, the drama that happens when you live and breath the cotton candy lifestyle of the natives.  I personally find an expiration date attached to any trip to the American Riviera and with all the sun and all the fun, a hangover on the beach the next day is never pretty, no matter how fabulous last nights party was.

It's Melrose meets real housewives on the beach with a bunch of the beautiful people lolling about Miami hot-spots, beaches and lounging about in their hot little homes. It's all bitchy catty fun until someone gets hurt...well, no one gets hurt in Miami unless you're the fat chick who's in nasty Ariel's cabana who's "got to get out." One has to wonder if reality TV could have existed before cellphones. Watching makes you wonder what we did before speakerphones...I mean who does that?

Two thumbs up for patient and handsome Hardy, lovelorn George and delirious gad-about Michael,

~who truthfully I know personally in a past life in Fashion, he's keepin' it real.

I'll tune again to see what happens next, although for now-only because it's following the gossip-girl realness of the train wreck exploits of NYC Prep .

...it's Hardy...or is it Hardee?

Le Book rocks Le Chelsea Art Gallery

Le Book's Connections blew into west chelsea with a bevy of talent with an unparalleled collection of photographers, illustrators, stylists, makeup artists and the agents who hawked their creativity with charm and seemingly unending enthusiasm. With a door list that would have rivaled marquee and studio 54 all rolled up into one, entering the space was a like joining a cacophony of light, color and astounding imagery.

Making my way thru the tri-level space, this talent mash up was a times overwhelming and enlightening. Highlights include running into makeup artist extraordinaire Andie Markoe Byrne and the women of Byran Bantry with whom we chatted about skincare and their affection for Kanebo's SENSAI line, Louis Sarmiento publisher of the Fashion Week's The Daily and fashion photographer Bell Soto who let me in on som e of his latest work with high def Video

Grabbing an Ashi, a few stops included No. 11 inc , Michele Karpe, the aforementioned Bryan Bantry crew including the fantastic Palma Driscoll, Nat Geo Assignment, Eli from Dear Dave Magazine and the delicious offerings from the Cake Factory!

Excellent connections indeed! Kudos to the crew at Le Book for an interesting evening, well done.

Interesting Short Film from our friends at Leica about the winner of the World Press Photo Award

Filmed only a week before leaving for Amsterdam to receive the 2008 World Photo Press Award, we joined photojournalist Anthony Suau as he used his camera on assignment in Spanish Harlem to document the Feed the Children Drive in his ongoing coverage and interest of the economic crisis. As he traveled to Wall Street to discuss this major achievement in photojournalism, we had the opportunity to hear about his recent travels, how he captured the award winning photo and the other images in the series on the economic and foreclosure crisis in the U.S. Director: Bell Soto Producer: Glenn Johnson (editor, Life's A Blur)

Anthony Suau - Visual Nomad. from leica camera on Vimeo.

Wolverine Eats Up The Box Office Competition

Wolverine roared into theaters this weekend to great anticipation, hype and hiccups along the way. Built upon several chapters of the story of where this man of “more than” steel named Logan came from, unravels at just under two hours of testosterone-filled back story.

A lengthy introduction of the characters history as the titles roll brings you in immediately to a story that dates back to the civil war. Diving right in the film introduces a young Logan killing someone he’s quite familiar with…and for whom he quickly regrets and begins his own unique quest. Much is not clear of what exactly all the details are but suffice it to say that he and his brother Victor Screed create an untenable bond that is played out as one brother takes a path to the dark side and the other must reconcile how to deal with it.

Liev Shriber turns in a villainous performance as Hugh Jackman’s brother and is almost chilling if it weren’t a comic book tale. It’s good to see him get screen time although his character is in need of a major manicure. The almost biblical nature of the tale of these two brothers plays out as each makes a choice of what to do with their special powers.

A plus for the film is that you don’t need to know much of the larger story of who these men really are or what they will become without enjoying the action here. Sure, Wolverine’s character falls in love, is betrayed and ultimately reconciles his feelings, but that’s as close to a chick flick this adrenaline-fueled performance grants the viewer. Jackman is truly jacked in this movie and director Gavin Hood isn’t afraid to show you his star in all his glory without the over the top display that Watchmen chose. Ryan Reynolds lends his wry tongue and killer physique to the game play, while Will.I.Am adds to his resume with great flair.

Welcome to the summer blockbuster season, Wolverine earns its place at number one this past weekend, with JJ Abrams juggernaut Star Trek on the horizon it will be interesting to see how the battle of the box office play’s out, this well done production deserves the top spot…for now.

 

image from canmag.com courtesy of 20th Century Fox

God Of Carnage lays claim to Broadway!

James Gandolfini and Marcia Gay Harden play Michael and Veronica who are graciously hosting Jeff Daniels business-charged Alan and Hope Davis’ sweet and sour Annette. What evolves in their biting repartee are super-charged performances that build to several remarkable crescendos.

The staging is minimal and effective, the setting by Mark Thompson is the living room of Michael and Veronica who have taken to hosting Alan and Annette one afternoon to meet and work out a plan to resolve their familial crisis. The vivid red set brought to life by Hugh Vanstone's lighting draws you in and the stark white proscenium frames the stage like a crisp window into the lives of these seemingly buttoned-up souls. The action begins as the couples discuss their lives and what brought them together to discuss how “Children consume our lives and then destroy them…” Cell phones, pepto bismol and a runaway hamster are all fodder that this stellar cast chews up and spits out to great comic effect.

“Fuck the hamster, “ Gandolfini bellows at one point as the couples wrestle for rum to ease the increasing discomfort their get-together has wrought. Pacing and pouncing about the stage effectively, the actors performances in Yasmina Reza's play delightfully ebb and flow in this tour de force of seasoned players. Engaging and erupting, the actors lay claim to their roles and go beyond reality to create a delightfully suspenseful and hilarious production. It’s a pleasure to see such high caliber actors in their prime! ~g

http://godofcarnage.com/home.php

Below:

Daniels take a bow at curtain call during the Broadway opening of "God Of Carnage" at Bernard Jacobs Theatre on March 22, 2009 in New York City.

(Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images North America)

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/eFRf5i4kW5h/God+Carnage+Broadway+Opening+Arrivals+Curtain/apNqbiWvUgW/Jeff+Daniels

Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange were remarkable in the HBO film Grey Gardens!

Such a well done production! We went behind the scenes to learn more about the

magic wand of makeup with Kanebo's SENSAI Advisor who tweaked Drew's brow into

an iconic glamour that only heightened the rise and fall and rise again of her

iconic character!

GREY GARDENS Makeup Artist Vivian Baker says its “All about the brow...”

for Drew Barrymore’s “Little Edie” in Saturday's HBO blockbuster--a semi- exclusive interview :)

 (without rights) 

 

The SENSAI Advisor from Kanebo goes behind the scenes of the epic new HBO movie “Grey Gardens” starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange with makeup artist Vivian Baker. The film premiere’s Saturday April 18th, 2009 at 8pm EST. http://www.hbo.com/films/greygardens/

 

 

SENSAI Advisor: You worked exclusively with Drew Barrymore who play’s “Little Edie Beale” in the film, correct?

 

Vivian Baker: Yes, I was her makeup artist, and I also oversaw the use of prosthetics for the movie. You know, most people don’t realize that prosthetics can be used to achieve many different effects - they’re not just for monster movies! We used them delicately to age Drew and Jessica Lange. I wanted to maintain their inner beauty throughout the process, and not make them appear too made up. These are beautiful women!

 

SENSAI Advisor: How did you achieve the aging process?

 

Vivian Baker: We created four distant stages of aging for the actresses from young to old and developed looks that were appropriate for each age. I wanted the makeup to appear natural enough that the look had their own hand; it had to look as if they had applied their makeup throughout the looks. I think one of the most elegant and exciting look was the iconic 1950’s look for Drew, where you really see her radiant beauty.

 

SENSAI Advisor: What made the look iconic?

 

Vivian Baker:  The ‘50’s were all about the eye brow…the arch, the strength and the subtleness…those brows said so much about the women who wore them. They were soft yet defined, sexy yet strong.

 

The 1950's look was also meant to be beautiful, iconic and indicative of where the character came from. It’s interesting what we know about women and their makeup—just like any woman, Little Edie found her place and her look at an early age, and she held onto it. I wanted those brows to be that charcoal grey and I knew it would be a thread for her character through her later years. The arc of the character was important to the look, to what she created---I loved the color. The SENSAI Colors Eyebrow pencil provided just the right depth of color and movement for the brow line—it was a terrific tool to work with!

 

I had to move Drew through the ages of the character, none of which she as a person actually was, and I did it through the brow. I looked at her character through her face, and worked with her brows--which really express so much about a person--at all the different time periods and ages we had to take her through.

 

 SENSAI Advisor: You worked with other key items from SENSAI on the film as well…

 

Vivian Baker: Yes, the Translucent Powder was also evident in the 1950’s look, it provided a nice dewy yet matte look. With the mascara—I chose to use the SENSAI 38 Degree’s Mascara. i had a lot of makeup to get on and off of her everyday. I needed a mascara to stay on and get off easily—38 Degree’s does just that, it doesn’t budget until you want it to.  I worked with many wonderful brands on this film, in the 1950's look you see in the film--it was Kanebo that helped us create that look.

 

SENSAI Advisor: What was the experience like for you as an artist?

 

Vivian Baker: Drew is absolutely amazing and committed! I couldn't have asked or wanted or dreamed of anything better. I felt honored to be a part of this production!

 

The entire team brought their A game, it made each us bring our best to the table--everyone was remarkable. The movie is so powerful, it moved me beyond my own experience on the set, and I was looking at the film last week in a screening—for the first time I was able to watch a film I worked on and be enrapt by the movie and the performances, and not just be drawn in to my own work on it—it is a remarkable film with amazing performances!

 

ABOUT VIVIAN BAKER:

Vivian Baker has been working in film and television for 20 years. She is known for having a wide range of skills in makeup. She is known for her use of prosthetics, a wide range she has worked at over the years and learned from each experience in which she is ever-evolving. That's what makes it exciting for her, it was still in discovery. “I was responsible for using new techniques and technology--prosthetics are a whole different ballgame--they're not all monster oriented. Even though they were meant to age the characters, I wanted to see a level of beauty come from those women, and I think we achieved that---who they were still came through--it doesn't hide their acting it enhances it--that's the cool thing where we're going: Combining beauty with technology.” www.vivianbaker.com

 

For more about the HBO production visit www.hbo.com

For more about SENSAI by Kanebo, visit www.sensai-cosmetics.com