INTERVIEW: Hair & Make Up Designer Nadia Stacey (Disney's Cruella)
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. |Proverbs 31:31
Up next for our interview series is Nadia Stacey! Based in the UK, she is a hair and makeup designer and her most recent project is Disney’s Cruella, a live-action film based on the stylishly evil Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians. Stacey is known for her work on The Favourite (2018), The Girl with All the Gifts (2016) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). We loved learning more about Nadia - and we hope you do too. Enjoy!
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1. How did you end up in the film/tv industry working in hair and make-up?
I had always done art based jobs but didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. I found out about a media makeup course and it was really hard to get on it so didn’t think I could but went for it and got a place. The first day of the course I realised this was a way to combine my love of film with art. I studied for 2 years and moved to London and started working in the theaters and it just progressed into TV drama as a trainee and worked my way up the ranks to designer.
2. What does your research process look like?
It’s very varied but I start with all my research books and look for anything that inspires me. I like to watch lots of films from around the period too. I like to watch the films the director has made and the leading actors so that I can get a feel for their work. I then start breaking the script down, I read and re-read looking for any detail bout the character and for hair and makeup. I then break down every character individually so that I know their journey through the film.
3. Favorite film you have worked on and why?
That’s so hard to choose, they have all been so special in their own way but I think TYRANNOSAUR has my heart. It was a special time with special people and I was at the beginning of my career and excited for the future. It also got me my agent and I travelled to Sundance film festival with it and attended the British Independent Film Awards and the BAFTAs so it brought me some very treasured memories.
4. What is the hardest part of what you do?
The hours and being away from home. I miss my family when I’m away and I lose structure in my life, films can be all consuming and you have to give your heart and soul and that can be exhausting.
5. What’s up next for you?
I am just about to start a film called LIVING with a very special director Oliver Hermanus and starring Bill Nighy in the lead. It’s a beautiful story and I love working with the costume designer, DOP and production designer so I think we will make something special.
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Disney’s Cruella will open in theaters on May 28! Will you be watching - let us know in the comments below! #SisterhoodCinema
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