In this holiday edition of Look Behind the Look, we unwrap the layers of Terry Gilliam's 1985 film Brazil, a retro futurist fever dream that cleverly disguises its incisive critique of bureaucracy and authoritarianism as a Christmas movie. Join us as we explore the film's rich aesthetics, from its elaborate production design to the campy hair and makeup, revealing how these visuals reflect the emotional machinery of a society struggling under the weight of conformity and denial. Discover how Brazil remains relevant today, echoing our contemporary challenges with digital systems and the normalization of crisis.

0:00 - Intro 1:28 - Gilliam After Python: The Architect of Beautiful Nightmares 3:05 - The Look: A World Styled for Breakdown 4:12 - Camp as Survival & Bureaucratic Beauty 5:25 - Imagination as a Last Resort: Sam Dreams 6:18 - The Restaurant Scene: Elegance at the Edge of Collapse 7:05 - When Help Becomes Theater 7:41 - When Emptiness Becomes Violence 8:27 - The Christmas Setting: Festivity as Emotional Camouflage 9:36 - If Brazil Were Made Today 13:27 - Closing

I finally had the chance to have Frances Hannon on the show and yes, you have heard from her by now, but I know there are some tid-bits you will learn from our talk... perhaps you haven’t learned about John Chu’s bespokeiridescent blue for his horses...? How would you like to get your hands on that creation?

And for those of you who aren’t besieged with Wicked in your feed, this may be the first time you are learning about Frances’ process working with Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, John Chu on this epic adventure of WICKED and WICKED:FOR GOOD.

In this episode of Look Behind the Look, I chat with makeup designer Sharon Tabb, who shares her creative journey behind the scenes of the hit series “The Lowdown” and the important film “Sarah’s Oil.” Sharon shared with me her origin story and while I always love a “how did you get here” exchange, this one is truly remarkable as serendipity and a leap of faith were powerful players in Sharon’s arrival to her career. If you are just getting started in your career, this episode is full of words of wisdom, and if you are far along in your journey, you will love hearing about what keeps Sharon motivated as I am sure you can relate. I was truly recharged after spending time with her and I know you will be too.

We’ve all seen Frankenstein by now and those who have seen it in the theater (hi!) have no doubt shamed those who watched on Netflix, but we can all agree that the film is GORGEOUS and we no doubt found ourselves confusingly (or maybe not so confusingly) attracted to The Creature. In this episode, Prosthetic Designer Mike Hill talks in delightful detail about every detail of the creation and evolution of The Creature and explains how Jacob Elordi, Guillermo del Toro and more all collaborated to bring this work of art to life.

Enjoy! And let me know what you think as always…

0:00 - Intro

2:44 - Building a New Frankenstein

8:15 - The Creature’s Bold First Impression

9:20 - Creativity Through Color

12:29 - The Rush To Get The Job Done

15:50 - Seeing The Creature Come To Life

16:50 - Response to Frankenstein’s Release

18:56 - Mike and Guillermo: From Monsterpalooza to Partners

24:29 - Victor’s Artistry And Influence On The Creature

27:33 - How The Creature’s Eyes Came To Be

29:49 - Jacob Elordi’s 10 Hour Transformation

Go behind the scenes of Weapons as Look Behind The Look with Melizah Wheat, Leo Satkovich and Jason Collins. They reveal how the hair, makeup, and SFX team created the unforgettable Aunt Gladys. From the offset wig to the prosthetics and makeup that shaped her entire character arc, this episode breaks down every creative choice that brought her to life.

0:00 Intro

5:08 Meeting Aunt Gladys

7:12 Wig Creation

11:30 Makeup Design

15:30 Debunking Theories

17:55 Character Arc Through Makeup

19:55 Prosthetics

23:00 Origin of the Offset Wig

27:00 The Lasting Impact of Aunt Gladys

WATCH WEAPONS

But wait! There’s more...

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#MiaNeal #TheSmashingMachine #BehindTheScenes

Get ready for one of my most favorite episodes ever.

Firstly, WHY HAVEN’T YOU SEEN THE SMASHING MACHINE? I saw this film on opening weekend as a #BennySafdi die hard, and was lucky enough to get to pick Oscar Winner, Mia Neal’s beautiful brain about the work she did in the Hair Department for it right after. Let me just tell you, I had NO IDEA what she was about to tell me. Holy Smokes, did Ms. Neal conquer some challenges- in fact, I believe the quote she ended with when I turned off the zoom was “I’m going to be in so much trouble when this airs”... You are going to LOVE this episode, the sound advice Mia shares and examples of sheer bravery she provides in this packed hour.

Watch THE SMASHING MACHINE HERE

0:00 - Intro

2:47 - What It’s Like Working With The Safdie Brothers

6:55 - How Dwayne Became Vulnerable For The Role

13:49 - Transforming Emily Blunt into Dawn

17:04 - The Secret Behind Crafting Biopic Looks

23:00 - How Mia Balanced Both Dwayne and Emily’s Wigs

27:00 - The Drama Behind Mia Being Denied Entrance To The Camera Test

31:20 - Stunt Double Wig Fiasco

38:35 - Disaster of A First Fitting

44:20 - Mia Perseveres And Saves The Day

49:45 - What It Took To Maintain Dwyane’s Wig

59:12 - Hair Is An Underappreciated Art

1:02:44 - Outro

But wait!

There’s more...

https://linktr.ee/lookbehindthelook

Presenting a new fest special. Jayce Bartok guest hosts to speak to the filmmakers of Pretty/Dirty which you can see at DOCNYC this year.

Filmmakers Jennifer Ash Rudick and Amanda M. Benchley speak on their new documentary, Pretty/Dirty, diving deep into Marilyn Minter’s provocative art, exploring themes of beauty, power, and the female gaze. Jayce, Jennifer, and Amanda discuss how Minter’s work challenges societal norms while simultaneously celebrating the intricacies of glamour and rebellion. Listen in as they share insights about the creative process behind the film, the challenges of documentary filmmaking, and the significance of Minter’s unique perspective in the art world. With an emphasis on the importance of chosen family and the impact of ageism, this episode reveals the layers of Minter’s artistry and the cultural conversations it ignites.

See PRETTY/DIRTY at DOC NYC November 20 in NYC.

THE ROSES Starring Olivia Coleman and Benedict Cumberbatch is available on Disney Plus beginning this weekend, and as you settle in to watch, enjoy this interview with PC Williams, the brilliant costume designer behind the film. PC shares her creative journey in designing captivating looks for Colman and Cumberbatch. Hear how the costumes evolve alongside the characters, reflecting their descent into madness within the narrative of their tumultuous marriage.

Beyond The Roses, in our talk, PC also shares valuable insights for aspiring creatives on navigating the industry, the importance of collaboration, and how to handle meetings that may not feel like the right fit. PC is candid and gives amazing advice about how align with the right job for your career creatively and professionally.

00:00 Hello!

02:35 PC discusses the effort behind “effortless” looks.

09:06 How do you collaborate with talent on the job

14:35 Valuable career advice from PC

19:42 When you don’t get something, do you seek feedback or let it go

22:14 PC and her BAFTA win!

Watch THE ROSES