Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1538122
LOCAL706.ORG • 25 Brian Tyree Henry after full breakdown Wagner Moura after prison beatup Brian Tyree Henry with the Amish L-R: Kate Mulgrew as Theresa, Brian Tyree Henry Filming on location in Philly gave us invaluable opportunity to observe the local culture up close and focus heavily on the differentiating texture of the people in different neighborhoods, street gangs, drug culture, motorcycle clubs, first responders, DEA, Mexican cartel, and key aspects of the Amish culture. The Amish episode had both featured and background actors playing Amish men. We rented fuller beards from Zoey Hay and these in conjunction with men willing to shave their mustaches made for an authentic landscape. The creation of the full face and body tattoos of our cartel sicario was done with tattoo artist and historian Mark Walters "Permanent Mark." Research on the internet is not always correct, so Mark sources information from his large book collections and consulting with artists local to the region. Sicario's torso and neck are a mix of the Xolotl Aztec god who guides human souls to the afterlife and Cihuacoatl goddess of fertility and war. "El Hongo," a Mexican prison outside of Tecate, was specified by Peter Craig and incorporated into the design. The image for face was fashioned like a Roman gladiator helmet with a jaw piece. Mark used a Quetzalcoatl mask, often depicted with serpents and bird feathers. The mask was used in rituals transforming the wearer into a representation of the god. It was a lucky coincidence that Mark and Jandel Camilo are the exact same body measurements. For the character of a Vietnamese assassin played by Phong Le, Mark used a tapestry-style tiger that was the embodiment of Pham Nhi, the thunder god, rendered into a Chinese-gang style. Indochinese tigers represent bravery and strength and are deep-rooted in Vietnamese culture. The finale of Dope Thief ended the same bloody chaos we had encountered all season. It seems producers escalate the violent make-ups in a television series once the make-up execution exceeds their expectations in other episodes. Without time to get pieces sent, the director decided to go big for our Monday scenes that were first up. The character of Manny, instead of just stabbed, was now to be beaten almost to death with extreme swelling and broken nose. Since we were in Philly, Tami Lane called Josh Turi to see what he had around his shop for a last-minute pickup. They met at a New Jersey coffee shop after wrap for their hand off. On the biker gang leader, what started as a bitten ear translated to having half his ear bitten, then ripped and pulled from his head. Tami used a stock ear from KNB and as she is famous for, masterfully customized it to the actor. I have never seen a video village and all the crew in sight go as wild as when this gag went off seamlessly. • Liz Caribel as Sherry