One of the most powerful uses of makeup I have seen in a movie is in "My Sisters Keeper", the movie following a cancer stricken girl trying to end her life. She asks her sister to sue her parents over the rights of her body so she can't receive the surgery that could make her better. Although Sofia Vassiliva shaved her hair and her eyebrows for the role, makeup is used throughout the film to show her illness e.g. the paleness in her face and lips, when her eyes are swollen and when she is vomiting blood in one part of the movie. The special effects in the movie are by Matte World Digital.
Another example of good makeup in a film is in the 2010 version of "Alice in Wonderland". The makeup in this film is good because it gives the impression of Alice being in a real place even though she thinks she is dreaming. In particular the Mad Hatter played by Johnny Depp has good makeup. The pale face and dark circles under his eyes make him seem like he has gone mad, as well as the use of his bright orange wig. It was Patty York, Depp's personal makeup artist, who did his makeup for the film.
"The Princess Diaries" starring Anne Hathaway also uses good makeup use during her makeover. This is when they fix her hair and face to make her look more like a princess. Although this is such a simple use of makeup, there is a big difference between the looks of her being a school girl and being a princess. The main makeup artist for this film was Hallie D'Amore.
Another great use of makeup in films is in the Christmas film "The Grinch". The makeup artist totally transforms Jim Carrey's face into the Christmas hating creature. This is done by using special effects. The makeup is effective because Jim Carrey is almost unrecognisable because of the makeup. The makeup artist for this film was by special effects makeup artist Rick Baker.
Another example of makeup in film is in the film "Avatar". Unlike the other films mentioned, there is a lot of use of body painting in this film to create the alien look of the Na'vi clan. The head makeup artist for this film was Tegan Taylor, who had previous experience in working with makeup for 3D films.
An example of use of wigs in TV/film is in "Downtown Abbey". This is a period drama, so the use of wigs is important to portray the time period in which the programme is set. The actress Maggie Smith wears a wig to portray her character Violet Crawley in the programme.
Another use of wigs is in the comedy series "Still Game" that follows the lives of the pensioners living in Craiglang. Actors Ford Kiernan (53) and Greg Hemphill (45) who play the main characters in the show use wigs to make them look as if they are in their 70s. As well as wigs facial hair is also used to portray the age of the characters.
Another use of wigs is in the 1996 version of "101 Dalmatians". The wig is seen on the famous villain Cruella Deville, who wants to steal the Dalmatian puppies to make a fur coat. The use of her wig is to show her as a crazy and very evil villain.
"Wicked: The Musical" is an example of a play that uses wigs. The musical is currently playing at the Apollo Victoria, London.
Another example of a play that uses wigs is "A Midsummer Nights Dream". This is currently playing in Stratford-upon-Avon within the Royal Shakespeare Company.
