Two of the most important aspects for myself during the prep were getting together an amazing and reliable team and making sure all the makeup and hair products and tools were covered. It took a lot of rapid searching to find my team as there was not much prep time, and I do think I lucked out on the amazing ladies that I found. My right-hand woman was Mili Currie, herself an established MUA with mountains of energy. Sofi Gorsuch and Nicola Thomas headed up the hair faction and did an amazing job making the hair concepts come to life - complete with headdresses that had to stay put while the dancers executed some hectic moves!
As for what makeup to purchase, it was no contest as I headed straight for the Illamasqua flagship store on Beak Street with my list. What a pleasure purchasing the new Skin Base Foundation in various shades, and the new and truly silky transluscent powder. I cannot over-emphasise how wonderful the Illamasqua staff are. They truly understand customer service without being overbearing, which is a subtle art. I left, as always, satisfied and uplifted.
There were loads of other bits that I had to shop around for as well, and in the end it was most fulfilling to sit down and go through my itinerary, making sure that everything was checked off. This is a shot the whole kit laid out for checking:
My 90% cruelty-free makeup and hair kit!!! (The MAC stuff is old...)
Some key cruelty-free products that I could not have done without on the shoot were:
Illamasqua primer, foundations, powders, eye-shadows, blushers, mascara etc.
Barry M Pigments and nail varnish
Weleda Calendula Cream
Urban Decay eyeshadow
GOSH nail varnish
Cass Art glitters and faux gold and silver flakes
Superdrug basics
My friend Jennifer Essex was the choreographer for the film - you can see my review of one of her shows here. Herself a well established contemporary dancer and choreographer, she has just been given a role in the new film Anna Karenina choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, which is a huge achievement. You can visit Jen's website for more information about her work and performance dates.
I can waffle on about every detail of the 4-day filming, but I think it is best illustrated through the medium of photographs. All shots © Paul Baichoo and Jennifer Essex.
DAY 1: Greenscreen shooting at Flying by Foy studios, London:
Mermaid on wires!
Leading lady Egija Zviedre looking regal!
DAYS 2 & 3: On set at Elstree Studios, London:
Touch-ups between takes.
Myself and two of our lovely assistant MUAs Yelena and Mutsumi.
Mili doubling as costumier.
Me and my right-hand lady Mili.
More touch ups with a nice, atmospheric feel!
The band in full costume and makeup.
Mr Ankit Love, artist and Director extraordinaire multitasking as always whilst in hair and makeup.
Some makeup shots from the set:
Bridge officers makeup and hair modelled by leading lady Egija.
Ritual ladies' makeup and hair.
My Very Art Deco makeup and hair design for the band,
this one applied by myself, hair by Nicola Thomas.
DAY 4: On location in Dover, fighting against the tide with a full crew!
These boys are hardcore!
Nice and breezy!
Ankit and his team hard at work.
My favourite shot of Ankit and Jen.
It's a WRAP!
Then it was off to the pub. Nice one.
Watch this space for the final cut.
Many thanks to:
Ankit Love: http://ankitlove.com
and
Kali Arc productions: http://kaliarc.com
