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50 • THE ARTISAN FALL 2026 six decades, Joel also has full tattoo sleeves on both arms. We never wanted wardrobe to dictate his character simply to hide the tattoos. Whenever Ed wore short sleeves, every tattoo had to disappear completely. I combined traditional techniques I had relied on throughout my career with newer products to create a durable solution. Using PAX paint for coverage, followed by Era Spray for durability, allowed the tattoos to remain invisible, even during long days spent inside spacesuits before changing into sleeveless wardrobe for later scenes. The combination proved incredibly reliable and became our go-to solution throughout the series. By the conclusion of each season, our cast list had grown to well over 400 performers. Every principal character carried their own visual journey. Ed Baldwin evolved from elite naval pilot to legendary astronaut. Karen Baldwin remained polished, elegant, and steadfast beside him. Gordo Stevens, played by Michael Dorman, balanced confidence with humor, while Tracy Stevens, portrayed by Sarah Jones, evolved from pilot to astronaut in her own remarkable story. Wrenn Schmidt's Margo Madison transformed from brilliant NASA engineer into one of the series' most complex characters. Krys Marshall's Danielle Poole, Jodi Balfour's Ellen Wilson, and Coral Peña's Aleida Rosales each experienced decades of personal and professional evolution that had to be reflected subtly through make-up. Every character required research, planning, and continuity—not only to represent the era but also to support who they had become over time. As the seasons progressed, one question continued to drive our department: "Could we convincingly age these actors decade after decade and allow audiences to continue believing their journey without recasting them?" That challenge eventually led me into the world of prosthetic aging, starting in Season 3. I was incredibly fortunate to meet prosthetic designer Jason Collins. Prosthetic aging was something I had never attempted on this scale, and Jason generously shared both his knowledge and his artistry. He became an invaluable creative partner, patiently guiding me through an entirely new discipline. What began as a make-up challenge, ultimately became one of the most rewarding educational experiences of my career. Together, we learned how to preserve each actor's likeness while allowing audiences to witness the passage of decades. Looking back, For All Mankind wasn't simply another television series. It was eight years of research, collaboration, craftsmanship, and constant creative evolution. It pushed every member of our department to grow, challenged us to solve problems we had never faced before, and reminded us that the smallest details often have the greatest impact on storytelling. For me, it was far more than a job. It was the journey of a lifetime for me and for every incredible artisan who helped bring this remarkable world to life. Thank you to each and every one of you for your talent, dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment throughout this extraordinary journey. A very special thank-ou goes to Ashley Cordova and Blake Shepard. Your unwavering support, encouragement, and ability to keep us afloat through every challenge never went unnoticed. To Jason Collins and the entire Autonomous FX team, and Garrett Immel, Scott Stoddard, Shelby Patton, Glen Griffin, Gabriel De Cunto, Douglas Noe, Kevin Wasner, Richard Redlefsen, Erin Blinn, Adina Sullivan, Karen Iverson, Mike Mekash, Tami Lane, Dave Snyder, Thom Floutz, and our entire background make-up crew—thank you. Your artistry, generosity, collaboration, and passion elevated every season and helped make For All Mankind the incredible experience it became. It was an absolute honor to create alongside all of you. J A S O N C O L L I N S P R O S T H E T I C D E S I G N E R Throughout the seasons of For All Mankind, I have been fortunate to work with Erin Koplow, Department Head Make-Up. Early on, we found mutual artistic respect and a lot in common with our work ethic that has paved the road for a great working relationship. Along with my company, Autonomous FX, Inc., we've designed all the aging prosthetic effects that the characters experience as the show ages 10-12 years each season. EARLY 80s Ed Baldwin MID-70s Margo Madison