What drew you to work on A Different Man?|I was drawn to the importance of the subject matter. These days people are more and more obsessed with their appearance and the movie speaks to accepting yourself no matter how perfect you think you should be.
How did you approach Sebastian Stan’s character designs for this film?
My initial reference for the film was Adam Pearson, an actor with Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that can cause non-cancerous tumors to grow along the nerves, skin, and parts of the body because Sebastian would be playing against him. My job was to make Sebastian’s face similar to Adam’s but slightly different so it could fall apart in the process.
To achieve this, I started with a life cast and scan, then sculpted my design in clay. The makeup was cast in medical-grade silicone and was applied each day, taking under two hours. Additionally, hairpieces were added to create the appearance of eyebrows and eyelashes.
What were the biggest challenges you faced in designing the makeup?
The biggest challenge I faced with the design was ensuring that the makeup worked proportionately for Sebastian’s face since Adam Pearson’s has a larger face with completely different proportions. I had to pay respect to Adam in the process by keeping it medically accurate while also giving it a little dramatic twist as it started to break down.
Was there other research within the medical resource realm that you used to ensure that accuracy?
No, but I studied what causes the tumors and analyzed all of Adam Pearson’s photographs as well as others with similar skin conditions.
Did you encounter any challenges in terms of the longevity or comfort of the makeup during filming?
The challenges with this makeup included Sebastian not being able to see out of one eye and hear out of one ear, as well as the thickness, keeping it as thick as I could, and as thin at the same time. Maintaining the makeup was difficult since we filmed in the summer months.
What were some of your tricks for maintaining the makeup given the summer in New York City?
We used a liquid called skin prep, which really strips any oils off of the skin and around the mouth and nose areas. We also used a glue called no tape which is a concentrated form of Telesis and is very strong.
How much did Stan’s performance influence the makeup design? Did his interpretation of the character lead you to adjust any of the looks on set?
We only had one test and we had to use what we created since it was a shoestring budget with very little time to make adjustments. Luckily with 30 years of experience doing makeup, I was able to calculate how it functioned…in other words, we got lucky!
Can you explain the stages of his character’s makeup transition after the medical procedure he underwent?
In one scene, the character actually peels his face off. For this effect, we created a version of the makeup that was extremely soft and barely gelled together. This was glued on with meth cellulose, and KY jelly. Beneath this layer of makeup, Sebastian wore a slightly distorted face. We thought it would make more sense to have a hybrid look as opposed to just seeing Sebastian. Later in the film, he also wears a mask, which is a smoother version of the design.
The mask he wore later was extraordinary. How was that created?
The mask was created by scanning in my rough sculpture and adapting it on the computer to have the design of the mask we needed. It was 3-D printed and molded, then cast in silicone with a vacuform backing and Velcro straps.
How did you ensure that the makeup both supported Stan’s performance and also helped the audience connect with the character’s emotional journey?
The makeup was an integral part of the film; without it, we wouldn’t have been able to create the same effect. It played a vital role in creating the character. By doing the makeup early in the morning, before the cameras were ready, Sebastian had a lot of time to wander around New York City, which helped him immerse himself in and live like his character.
How would you describe your experience working on A Different Man?
The experience was memorable, and one of a kind. It was a fast and furious movie to make as it only shot for 22 days and we had to have our stuff together to pull it off. Luckily, we worked with such great artists in every department. I really enjoyed working on the film.
Words Shannon Levy
Photos Courtesy A24 Films
