First Time Oscar Nominee Adrien Morot Talks Makeup for Barney's Version
(Los Angeles, February 23, 2011) Adrien Morot, head makeup artist on Barney's Version, will definitely be watching the Academy Awards® ceremony this Sunday. He is nominated for his first Oscar® for his makeup work on the film starring Paul Giamatti.
The film is directed by Richard J. Lewis and stars Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee Paul Giamatti (who won a Golden Globe for his performance as Barney), Golden Globe and Academy Award nominee Dustin Hoffman (as Barney’s father), with Rosemund Pike (as Miriam, Barney’s third wife), Jake Hoffman, Minnie Driver, Mark Addy, Rachelle Lafevre and Scott Speedman.
Based on a novel by Mordecai Richler, Barney’s tells the story of an aging TV producer who reflects back on the events of his life. The same actors are used throughout the film. This presented a difficult challenge to the performers as well as their hair and makeup artists.
Filmmaking is a team effort. On every set there are invaluable silent partners who contribute immeasurably to the execution of the story but who are not visible to or thought of by audiences until the last frame utters goodbye and the credits roll. Behind every great actor is a great hair and makeup person helping them to transform into their characters.
Morot, head of makeup and hair on the modest budgeted film, was faced with what many consider to be one of the ultimate challenges in makeup: character aging — not as dramatic as creature work, but some might say, even more difficult.
Creating monster makeup for films such as The Wolfman (his competition) gets a lot of attention. What can be more dramatic than a werewolf or exotic mythical creature, but who is to say what that is supposed to look like? Everyone gets old, and we all know what that looks like.
Many of the images of monsters in those kinds of films are computer-generated, so the lines between special effects makeup and technical special effects are blurred. Not the case with character makeup.
I interviewed French-born Morot about his nomination, the realistic aging techniques that got him there and his synergy with the actors, all of which he says are integral to good work.
A conversation with Morot is like taking a ride on the creative train. His enthusiasm and positive energy are fun to be around and he obviously loves his work, having contributed to over 100 films in his 20-year career.
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