Opulence
A film encompassing racism in educational settings with dance and movement.
Category:
Narrative & Music Video
Role:
Hairstylist and Silent Actress
Read:
2 mins
Location:
Savannah, GA
Date:
The Concept
On this set I was the hairstylist, and for the music video portion I held full creative direction for hair. With this, as with every set, understanding the story and each character's identity comes first. We had angels representing each season, their costumes color-coded to their purpose so I wanted the hair to coincide with that. The spring angel’s hair was decorated with golden charms and a whimsical style on her natural hair. We kept the winter angel’s natural as well, with silver flakes applied to accentuate what was already there to keep the look intentional and not overdressed.
The Pivot
I always check in with the director and costume team before locking anything in and communicate if anything comes up. This set reminded me exactly why it’s important to do so. The costume team had planned to add a hat to our winter model then, suddenly, changed course at the end of dressing him. I had to think fast and restyle in real time. That is just how quickly things shift when a team is working together, which is why you need people who can make something work under pressure. Fortunately, collaboration on this set came fluidly because I already knew most of the crew, and have worked with previously.
Holding On to Empathy
The models were flying in from different states to be a part of this project so they were stepping into a new environment. Before anything else, I make it a point to introduce myself, ask about their commute, and read how they are feeling. Some people arrive excited, some may have been stressed, some exhausted; and it’s challenging to do your best work on someone without making that connection by first understanding where they are. This is where UX has made me a stronger professional on set. The field is deeply psychology-based. It has taught me how to ask the right questions, act on my observations, and stay present and empathetic with every person I work with.
