Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1512433
54 • THE ARTISAN WINTER 2024 coordinated with her wardrobe which is something we determined her character would absolutely do! Michael: Just as Sarah did, I referenced inspiration from the '60s and early '70s for 'Miss Crane.' Her hair design had a simple elegance, tidy yet effortless as if she had done it herself. My key hair stylist Jennifer Douglas (who is amazing and talented) took care of Carrie 'Miss Crane' all the way through filming, and carefully followed the storytelling of her character through subtle changes and a careful eye on continuity. We ensured the accuracy and realism of the period by using Tresemme products and a trusty Solano blow dryer. Sarah: To maintain period-appropriate looks for our supporting and background cast, we had cataloged sets of sideburns, mustaches, and wigs—and loose hair of all colors and textures for hand-laying. We were very lucky that Alexander doesn't like to wait until the 'eleventh hour' to cast his actors—and he personally tells each one of them to grow their hair (facial hair included for our fellas). This generously allowed us options for cutting, styling, and shaping … which meant that when Alexander eloquently expressed to us that "everything we do is a character choice and never a matter of movie convention," we were able to hit our visual marks. We had some very big days with lots of background performers: ice-skating rink, bowling alley, school church service, and the Christmas party. Special 'shout out' and THANK YOU to all our East Coast support, our brothers and sisters of Local 798, additional make-up and hair stylists who rose to the occasion and did beautiful period make-up and hair on our extras, which was essential in creating overall tone, mood, and atmosphere for a film such as this. There was a genuine excitement surrounding the making of this project. For me personally, I'm a die-hard Christmas fan … I'll watch Christmas Vacation in June! So, when producer Chris Stinson (who I highly enjoy working with) approached me to do this project, I was sold. The added opportunity of working with producer friends Mark Johnson and Tom Williams who I hadn't worked with since being on Howard Berger/KNB's team for the Narnia films in the early 2000s was a cherry on top. When I read David Hemingson's brilliant script, I found that The Holdovers was much more than a holiday movie. I was blown away by all those beautiful things that we don't see in films anymore: that profound 'movie magic' that inspires and heals. Leave it to the uber-talented Alexander Payne to deliver exactly the kind of story the world needs right now—a welcome cinematic experience just in time for the holidays! Michael: Working on The Holdovers was meaningful in a multitude of ways. I, too, had previously worked with Mark Johnson on The Little Things and had just recently finished a project in Massachusetts with a lot of the same crew, so there was already a 'shorthand' and strong sense of camaraderie in place for me. In fact, we often use the word 'serendipity' to describe the overall vibe and experience of this project, which really does sum it up. Sarah: We are so proud of this heartfelt film, and we hope that our collective work takes you back in time and gives you a warm, nostalgic hug! We want to give special thanks to The Artisan for the opportunity to tell our story and share our immense gratitude to our wonderful make-up and hair teams: Scott Hersh (key make-up artist), Donyale McRae (make-up artist), Zach Ripps (lens technician), Cristina Patterson (contact lens designer/ painter), Tom Denier (additional SFX make-up artist), Joe Delude (additional make-up artist), Krystal Poulin (additional make-up artist), Jennifer Douglas (key hair stylist), Shannon Bakeman (hair stylist), Elizabeth Cecchini (additional hair stylist), Rob Green (additional hair stylist). • L-R: Andrew Garman, Gillian Vigman as Judy Clotfelter, and Tate Donovan as Stanley Clotfelter Dominic Sessa, Brady Hepner as Teddy Kountze, and Jim Kaplan as Ye-Joon Park Alexander Cook as bartender and Fred Robbins as Santa Claus