Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1529095
20 • THE ARTISAN WINTER 2025 Of course, although the movie centers around Clarence, we are in Roman-occupied Jerusalem and so we have a Pontius Pilot, played by James McAvoy, with make-up and hair designed by Donald McInnes. Ponty's pallor contrasted with Clarence's depth and his cool mullett hair do suggested that this Ponty wasn't all that bad either. McAvoy also wanted eyeliner, so Donald went a bit punk/grunge with it and mushed it around his lashes. Donald also designed make-up and hair for Benedict Cumberbatch, who had one of the most hilarious tranformations in the movie going from Benny the Begger with a matted dirty wig and unrecognizably filthy face, who aer he gets blessed with money by Jesus himself, goes to the beauty parlour to get cleaned up and comes out looking like the classic white Christian Jesus, who is portrayed throughout time in paintings with long flowing golden locks, fluttering lashes, pinched cheek skin and a golden perfect beard with gleaming white teeth. Donald used Charlotte Tilbury products for the pretty looks and Siân Richards Hydroproof for Benedict's dirty look. Aside from the artistry of the background with such a rich tapestry of cultures—we had Moroccans, Tunisians, Ghanians, Nigerians, Senegalese background talent. Our Italian team really did some beautiful work. I have to mention, Diego Avolio who took care of David Ayelowo, who played John the Baptist, and had an enormous hand- laid beard that Diego did to perfection. He gave John his own godly cloud of beard! Nakoya Yancey's hair design rounded it off beautifully with an assortment of natural Afros, braids and twists influenced by African tribes such as Yoruba, Afar, Himba and Bodi to name a few. Her team worked around the clock to ensure that attention to detail was perfect. She worked with natual hair on all of the main cast and apostles and Jesus, played by Nicholas Pinnock, who had locks. e Book of Clarence definitely had its challenges but they were worth it all. We got Clarence and omas to look like fraternal twins and in doing so, made our director happy and achieved our goals. Hope you love it as much as we did making it. • Twisting Clarence's wig Siân Richards with Stanfield Pontius Pilot (James McAvoy) Virgin Mary (Alfre Woodard) Benny the Beggar (Bendict Cumberbatch) Center: John the Baptist (David Oyelowo) Left: Barabbas Omar Sy) Nicholas Pinnock as Jesus; Teyana Taylor as Mary Magdalene