Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/759117
34 to have a matching scar. Rolf and I discussed the best plan of action to show the passage of time for Cobb would be to do as much as possible to make Jackie look younger, and let him play his actual age as the older Cobb. Facial hair was added in darker shades for his younger look, and we let Jackie's grey hair show for his older look. I also had Rolf 'punch up' his wrinkles and creases, and 'deaden' his teeth to aid in the aging process. When the time came for Cobb to meet his demise at the hands of Nat Turner, the task of applying the blood rig and appliance to cover it went to Rolf while Dionne, Randi, Devin and I created countless casualty make-ups and wounds on the men fi ght- ing from both sides of the battlefi eld during the height of the rebellion. A three-hour job under normal circumstances was accomplished by Rolf in two hours. The sun was set- ting. We had to kill Cobb now! Jackie was on his back as a blood-spattered (it never got old for me) Nat straddled him holding his short sword at Cobb's throat, right at the necktie area. Rolf and I had the blood tubes (hoses and syringes) primed and ready to go. Two lines leading to one tube that would feed directly to where the sword would enter the neck. A post held the sword in place and the sword would slightly retract on cue as blood fl owed. Ready, set … 'ACTION'! … No blood. The feed was blocked at the wound. We are losing the light. I see Nate's eyes go blank. No time to troubleshoot … I handed my blood- fi lled syringe to Gus (stunt coordinator) and yanked the single tube from the appliance and rig. Jackie's eyes went wide and I apologized while feeding the same tube back under his wardrobe and out to the camera side of the sword at the spot where it entered his neck. Nate knew immedi- ately what I was doing and helped me feed it past several layers of clothing. No more time, I said to Gus and Rolf, "stand on those when Nate calls it." This is a technical term for 'push down on those damn things as hard as you can so we feel the blood fl owing in the back of the theater!' Rolling, two seconds pass and Nate calls action, blood fl ows as Jackie sells an ugly and frighteningly painful death for Cobb. One take, the light's gone. We got it, collectively as a team. We got it. As Jackie rises from a pool of blood that extends from his shoulders to his knees, I joke with Gus that he only needs 29 more days and he can join our union. That's a wrap on day 22. Jackie needs a shower … Date: May 31, 2015 Subject: Over the hump I've had countless emails and calls from people asking how I'm feeling, expecting some kind of drowned-out, regretful plea for seren- ity. When they hear the excitement and peace holding me strong in my response, their confusion is almost comical. I tell them like I tell everyone, 'I'm supported and protected by a passionate and unrelenting team.' How can you not LOVE this man? He knew we were making something great. It was never 'I' or 'Me,' always 'Us,' a team. Always. If you've seen the fi lm, then you know that Cherry (Aja Naomi King) is brutally raped and beaten. Dionne and Rolf collaborated on this make-up while I remained on set at Nate's side for a scene with Penelope Ann Miller. When Aja came to set hand in hand with Rolf (Aja could not see as the make-up required that her eyes be swollen shut), the gasps and silence were palpable. This beautiful child of God had been ravaged. Due to the amber candlelight, I immediately realized that a layer of sheen would be needed to add to the translucency of the silicone make-up material. Tough scene. As we fi nished, again Rolf (picture a bit of a giant) took Aja's hand and slowly, gently led her down