Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1512433
36 • THE ARTISAN WINTER 2024 Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein with the make-up and hair crew as they prepare him for "Stage 2 Plus." MAESTRO CRAFTING A SYMPHONY OF LIFETIME LOOKS B Y T H E M A K E - U P & H A I R D E P A R T M E N T S PHOTOS BY JASON MCDONALD/NETFLIX, EXCEPT BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MAKE-UP & HAIR DEPARTMENTS KAZU HIRO: PROSTHETIC MAKE-UP ARTIST TO BRADLEY COOPER Maestro is a film that delves into the life of Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre. The narrative spans from 1943 to 1989, capturing moments from when Leonard, affectionately known as Lenny, was 25 up until he was 71 years old. Leonard Bernstein stands out as one of the most remarkable composers, conductors, and educators in history, having played a pivotal role in shaping American music. I recall watching a documentary about Leonard Bernstein early in my career in Japan, roughly 35 years ago. In it, he emphasized the immense commitment and dedication required to excel in any field. Lenny's passion and drive resonated with me deeply, inspiring me to pursue my dreams with unwavering determination. I always harbored a hope that one day I'd have the opportunity to work on a film dedicated to him. My wish seemed to be on the horizon when Bradley Cooper approached me in February 2020 about Maestro. I later discovered that Bradley had been collaborating with Guillermo del Toro on Nightmare Alley. Guillermo had confidently told Bradley, "Kazu is the only one who can do this." We had initially planned to commence filming