An interesting and enthusiastic exclusive conversation with TRICIA SAWYER discussing her Emmy-nomination for Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup (non-prosthetic) in AppleTV’s smash hit, PALM ROYALE, for her work in episode one Pilot.
SYNOPSIS: PALM ROYALE is a true underdog story that follows the ambitious Maxine Simmons (Kristen Wiig) as she schemes to secure her seat at America’s most exclusive table: Palm Beach high society circa 1969. As Maxine attempts to cross that impermeable line between the haves and the have-nots, PALM ROYALE asks the same question that still baffles us today: “How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice to get what someone else has?” Set during the powder keg year of 1969, PALM ROYALE is a testament to every outsider fighting for their chance to belong.
Created by Abe Sylvia with episodes directed by Sylvia, Tate Taylor, Stephanie Liang, and Claire Scanlon, PALM ROYALE stars Kristen Wiig, Allison Janney, Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, Julia Duffy, Leslie Bibb, Laura Dern, Mindy Cohn, and Carol Burnett, to name just a few of this star-studded cast.
Without make-up and hair where would a television or film production be? My guess is probably looking very flat, listless, and lifeless. Thankfully, PALM ROYALE is anything but that thanks to the work of Emmy-nominated makeup artist and Department Head, TRICIA SAWYER, and her team, along with the work of Emmy-nominated hair stylist and Department Head, Karen Bartek and her team, as well as the craftsmanship of fellow Emmy nominees Costume Designer Alix Friedberg, Production Designer Jon Carlos, and Set Decorator Ellen Reede (among many other nominations for PALM ROYALE). 1969 and the world of Palm Beach and West Palm Beach are very specific and defined in the zeitgeist of society, fashion, cultural trends, and even politics. One look at an image and you immediately know the time and place being referenced. And that’s what makes the work of TRICIA SAWYER and her fellow Emmy nominees so award-worthy and dazzling as the attention to detail and minutiae is impeccable from every false eyelash to bronzed suntan to “Maybelline Blue” eyeshadow to pale frosted pink nail polish and beyond.
Long an admirer of TRICIA SAWYER’s artistry going back to the days of “Long Kiss Goodnight” starring Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson and up through the MCU and “Wandavision” and “Doctor Strange” and now PALM ROYALE, Tricia always captures “the moment” with make-up, be it subtle and nuanced or more obvious and period or fantasy defining. Her work in PALM ROYALE is no different which is why she is nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup (non-prosthetic). Submitting the series pilot episode 101 for Emmy consideration is a wonderful showcase of Tricia’s work for the series as we meet each of the characters and see what physical elements define them – makeup, hair, clothes – which then leads us into what’s beneath the public facade of each and the machinations of the story. And it gives us, the audience, a starting point for each character, allowing us to watch them visibly transform throughout the series, most notably with Kristen Wiig and Julia Duffy, not to mention Carol Burnett.
In this exclusive conversation, Tricia covered everything, explaining in detail the color choices of make-up for each character – including background performers, working with suntans and how that alters makeup colors and their application, dealing with heat, custom creating nail polish colors for Maxine (Kristen Wiig), and so much more. And to kick us off, she discusses what defines “Period Makeup” as for many, when they hear a “period piece” or “period makeup” they think Medieval, ancient, Rennaisance, etc. But amazing as it may seem, 1969 is considered a “period piece” with “Period Makeup”. Going beyond the overall Slim Aarons influence for the series, Tricia also talks about her research and specific makeup looks that influenced her palettes, designs, and the makeup that was used; for example, pancake and liquid eyeliner instead of pen or pencil, the opacity of the colors, the sheen of the suntan, and even the subtlety of the placement of blush on the cheek or the shape of the eyeliner or brow, and so much more.
With the watchwords of the day being “cohesiveness but individuality”, Tricia and her makeup team were given no rules, no limits on what they could do to achieve the world of PALM ROYALE. Collaborative on every level, the award-worthy end result speaks for itself.
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview 08/09/2024
PALM ROYALE is currently streaming on AppleTV!
