As Gen Z slowly but surely unearths gems in film history, one of our beloved Gen X films, Less Than Zero, always seems to escape their discovery. This is because the film is not available anywhere- when it is streaming for a few months on MAX, my various text threads light up, but alas, it leaves as quickly as it comes.

One of my top 10 gifts ever received was the Vinyl LP for my Birthday 5 years ago and they can pry my burned DVD of the film from my cold dead hands. It's one of my all-time favorites and I am not alone.

Everyone knows that this is Robert Downy Jr.'s best performance, that fans of the Brett Easton Ellis novel hated it, that Jami Gertz' performance was widely criticized (not by me- I love it) and that Brad Pitt is famously in the movie as a random party guest, but let's look deeper into the design, the cinematography and the soundtrack. In this episode, we begin looking at the creative elements of this film that no one will discuss with me. No one. So here I am, crowd-sourcing for as much info as possible to put into one place. Kelli and I scoured what is out there and are parsing it into 2 episodes. If you are out there and worked on this film, please know I have reached out to find you and have heard back that you will not talk about the film or I haven't heard back at all and would absolutely love to.

This Gorgeous Film was assembled by:

Director: Marek Kanievska

Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, James Spader

DP: Edward Lachman

Production Designer: Barbara Ling

Costume Designer: Richard Hornung

HMU: Deborah Figuly, Adam Christopher, Barbara O'Neill, Angelo Di Biase

00:00:00 1987's Less Than Zero

00:03:20 Depicting Addiction in Film and Robert Downey Jr.'s unforgettable performance.

00:05:48 Robert Downey Jr. interview clip

00:09:16 Impresario Rick Rubin and his first soundtrack- Less Than Zero

00:11:37 Class Consciousness in Production Design

For more insights and interviews, check the show notes and stay tuned for a follow-up episode as we continue to uncover the mysteries of Less Than Zero.

LINKS:

Less Than Zero on DVD

Less Than Zero on Vinyl

Less Than Zero Book

Some IG gems

Looking back on the gorgeous ’80s excess in Less Than Zero - Interview Magazine Bret Easton Ellis - Interview Magazine

Brat by Andrew McCarthy Excerpts on Less Than Zero

Brat by Andrew McCarthy

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In this episode of Look Behind The Look, I delve into the vibrant world of the film Emilia Pérez with the head of the makeup department, Julia Floch-Carbonel. The film stars Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña as you have never seen them, and everyone is talking about Karla Sofía Gascón this awards season. We explore the intricate artistry behind the film's makeup design, discussing the creative processes that brought the characters to life. We also touch on the film's controversial aspects, inviting listeners to engage in the broader conversation surrounding its reception.

Julia shares her journey of working with renowned director Jacques and how the collaboration evolved from their previous project. She provides insights into the unique challenges and rewarding experiences of crafting the film's visual narrative, including the symbolic transition of the main character and the collaborative efforts with costume designers like Virginie Montel…

Speaking of costumes, just imagine the costume department’s surprise when Saint Laurent came on to the project 3 weeks before shooting had a few new ideas (!)

The episode highlights the meticulous preparation and creative freedom that allowed the team to push boundaries and create an authentic yet stylized portrayal of the characters. From the influence of opera and musical elements to the innovative choreography, Julia offers a behind-the-scenes look at the dedication and passion that fueled the film's success.

00:00:00 Welcome!

00:05:07 So tell me how it came into your life to work with Jacques

00:10:28 Everything centers around the mouth because it says something about the character

00:14:19 The transformation of Rita (Zoe Saldaña)

00:17:17 Saint Laurent came, um, along three weeks before we shoot

00:19:03 Film references that inspired Emilia Pérez

00:22:20 What was the hardest film to shoot?

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MARIA premieres on Netflix December 11 and is in theaters now.

In this episode of Look Behind The Look, I sit with hair designer Aduitha Lee, known for her iconic work on films like Dallas Buyers Club (for which she won the Oscar) and I, Tonya. Aduitha shares her insights and experiences from her latest project, transforming Angelina Jolie into the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in the film Maria. This episode delves into the creative process behind the hair design, the challenges of capturing the essence of Maria Callas while maintaining Angelina's unique presence, and the intricate details that bring the character to life on screen.

Aduitha discusses the extensive preparation involved, including the use of 12 wigs and various hairpieces to portray Maria Callas' iconic looks throughout the film. She also shares the fascinating story of how she came to be involved in the project, the collaborative process with Angelina Jolie, and the innovative techniques used to achieve the film's stunning visual authenticity. From the opera scenes to the intimate moments in Maria's Paris apartment, Aduitha provides a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry and dedication required to create a seamless and captivating transformation.

Adruitha is offering a glimpse into the meticulous planning and creative vision that goes into crafting a character's look. Be sure to tell me what you thought of the film and follow Adruitha on IG for more!

00:00:00 Welcome

00:13:01 Wig talk- how many wigs were there and how were they prepared?

00:15:46 Dru gives insight to preparing for the Oscar race

00:18:02 Creating the efforless look of Maria while she is at home in her last weeks of her life.

00:20:10 What was your favorite look that you worked on with Angelina

00:23:03 Dru discusses creating the look of Maria, while being true to Angelina's natural face.

00:25:59 The other creative elements of the film.

00:27:43 Follow Adruitha on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/adruithalee/

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