Mis-en-Scene

Our group chose to do the ending scene from Inception. I chose to focus on the makeup department of this film. The makeup department involves the work of a lot of different individuals, but I chose to look into the makeup department head. The makeup department head is, Luisa Abel. 

Luisa Abel's filmography began in 1992 when she was a makeup trainee. Since then she has worked her way up and become the head of the makeup department for various different films; including, Trouble with the Curve, The Dark Knight Rises, Thor, Inception, Spider-Man 3, etc. I have watched each of these films and as I consider her makeup style I can see it come through in each of the films. I find her makeup style to be very realistic. The realness of her style makes it easier to relate to the characters in the film, they aren't silly looking, but rather casual. She uses the makeup to portray the character appropriately as well as to amplify the scene. During the dream of this scene, Leonardo DiCaprio is talking with an elderly man. The grayish, pale skin and circles below his eyes communicate the age of the man. As a makeup director you also have to work with the lighting of the film. In the dream it was a warm light, with dark shadows. It was important that the makeup was more dramatic in this scene. The rosiness of Leonardo DiCaprio's cheeks along with the more rigid contouring of his face add more definition and communicate more intense motives.

Production Design: Josh Wilson
Costume/Wardrobe: Michelle Melling
Director of Photography: Jon Tinsley