Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1475069
THE ARTISAN FALL 2022 • 39 of filming, the wig was styled and applied by Sarah Stamp, Erica Wells and Kerrie Smith. I did all the sculptures, molds and silicone appliance creation and make-up applications for Ben Foster by myself. This is my fourth film with Ben Foster and for this intense experience and performance, it seemed best to rely on our tried-and-trusted relationship to help get Ben through this production. Not to say that I couldn't have used some help especially when it came to the aging make-up applications, because with the addition of a neck, cheeks and nostril silicone appliances, it took me about four to five hours, including the wig and graying sideburns which extended up the sides of his hair. Filming in Budapest and then Savannah, GA, and then Coney Island, New York, made it all extra logistically difficult and thankfully, I had the wife Natasha Kelman working in my home studio, packing each appliance individually on a vacuform in its own little box, then consolidated into eight crates, to travel around the world. No pieces were destroyed in transit! Other make-up aspects involved my recreation of the odious number tattoo that the Nazis permanently etched onto their prisoners arms. I found a photo of Harry Haft's arm in the position that showed his number tattoo, scaled it up until elbow to wrist matched Ben Foster's arm size, and then traced it to create an accurate tattoo transfer. Additional tricks included making a smaller number tattoo for his bloated middle-age stage look to help his arm look fatter by scale. When Ben Foster was super skinny, rather than hollow out his musculature, we did a reverse highlight and shadow Harry Haft: Make-Up Stages & Ages 1940: Youngest look has three silicone prosthetic facial appliances (nose & brows), lace outer eyebrows, upper and lower dentures with plumper gums, rosy complexion and lace front wig. Tattoo cover over actors' real tattoos. 1943-45: Emaciated concentration camp look includes same three silicone prosthetic facial appliances (nose & brows), lace outer eyebrows, upper and lower dentures with plumpers, sickly complexion, shaved head, and frequent full-body make-up to anti-contour & cover actors' dozen real tattoos, plus applied Nazi prisoner arm number tattoo. Various prosthetic swellings resultant from fight/ death matches, plus post-fight swollen trauma looks. 1949: Prime healthy & professional boxer look includes same three silicone prosthetic facial appliances (nose & brows), lace outer eyebrows, upper and lower dentures with plumpers, golden tan complexion, lace front wig, and frequent full-body make-up to enhance musclature & to cover actors' dozen real tattoos, plus Nazi prisoner arm number tattoo. Various prosthetic swellings resultant from boxing matches, plus post-fight swollen trauma looks. 1965: Middle-age look after extreme life: eight silicone prosthetics (full neck wrap, cheeks, nostril wings, brows & nose), lace outer eyebrows, aged upper & lower dentures with plumper gums, tanned and freckled complexion. Lace-front wig with separate lace temple-to-sideburn sides of head 'Salt & Pepper' silvers & white hairpieces. Smaller Nazi tattoo to bloat arm.