Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1500442
36 • THE ARTISAN SUMMER 2023 Beyond THE MANDALORIAN Maria Sandoval: Welcome to a galaxy far, far away! What was your initial reaction to being asked to join the series in its third season? Cristina Waltz: I was absolutely thrilled! Up to this point, I had always dreamed of being part of a Star Wars project, so this was a genuine dream-come-true moment for me. I greatly admired the amazing work that Brian Sipe and Alexei Dmitriew had established for the first two seasons, so it was important for me to match their caliber and add my own touch as the show expands into new horizons. Knowing the creative workload ahead, I immediately called Gabriela Quiñonez, whom I have collaborated with on many projects over the years. She and I have tackled some very challenging jobs together and have always been in tune with each other. Good collaboration is a very important part of working in this industry for me; it builds confidence in your team, and everyone wants to do the best they can when they are creatively inspired. I had a really fantastic team working with me this season. MS: Was this your first time having access to and running an in-house prosthetic lab? CW: Fortunately, I had just come off a film that required a mobile shop setup on site, so I was in tune with the process. I have also worked alongside many FX shops over the years, as well as set up my home studio for smaller scale builds. I love this part of my job and enjoy learning and understanding the technical processes that go into creating believable character make-ups. However, this was the first time I had the amazing opportunity to set up a full workshop on stage. It was so helpful to show our builds and get direct feedback from the showrunners and directors, including other departments we were collaborating with. We were able to expand into a larger space this season and have created a shop I am very proud of. CW: Speaking of creating in-house, I was very inspired by your wig room and all the designs you have prepped for the different worlds. What is your process in defining these looks per region? MS: We are very lucky to have an entire room on stage dedicated to the crafting and storage of our various wigs and supplies. I also have an extensive library of Star Wars reference books, as well as books on art, design, and indigenous cultures. A CONVERSATION WITH MARIA SANDOVAL | DEPARTMENT HEAD HAIR AND CRISTINA WALTZ | MAKE-UP DESIGNER STUDIO PORTRAITS BY FRANCOIS DUHAMEL