Tim Burton invites you to immerse yourself in his world and unleash your creativity; you can gauge his enjoyment by the expression on his face,” says Oscar-winning British hair and makeup designer Christine Blundell, who worked with Burton for the first time on Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice received three nominations at the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards and a nomination in the fantasy feature film category at the Art Directors Guild Excellence in Production Design Awards. We caught up with Blundell, currently working on Jack Ryan in Dubai, ahead of the upcoming awards shows in Los Angeles on Feb. 15.
When asked about her experience working with Tim Burton on Beetlejuice, Blundell shared that it was a pivotal moment in her career. She felt a renewed passion for hair and makeup as Burton emphasized practical effects and in-camera techniques. This approach reignited her love for the craft.
Blundell discussed her approach to Beetlejuice’s iconic hair and makeup, mentioning that while the character’s look couldn’t change, she added her own touch by making everything more decayed and textured. Collaborating closely with Michael Keaton, they enhanced Beetlejuice’s appearance with decomposed fingernails and a distinct hairstyle.
Blundell also worked closely with Neal Scanlan, head of creature effects, on creating unique characters for the film. From contraptions for the afterlife characters to prosthetic makeup for the cat lady, the creativity behind the designs was truly impressive.
According to Blundell, working on Beetlejuice required embracing Tim Burton’s dark humor and letting go of traditional rules. Each character and scene reflected Burton’s visionary style, even incorporating impulsive ideas like Beetlejuice’s eyes exploding in a cartoonish moment. The team had to adapt quickly to Burton’s creative impulses to bring his unique vision to life.
Blundell revealed that creating consistent looks for characters in different settings, such as the afterlife waiting room and soul train, was a challenging aspect of the makeup process. From Danny DeVito’s green skin to Willem Dafoe’s dual-sided look, each character required meticulous attention to detail to achieve the desired effect.
Overall, the makeup and hair design for Beetlejuice showcased the team’s dedication to bringing Tim Burton’s fantastical vision to life. The film’s nominations at prestigious awards ceremonies are a testament to the skill and creativity of the talented artists involved in the project.
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