‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ Emerges as Oscars Frontrunner for Make-Up & Hairstyling

BY SCOTTIE KNOLLIN

Over the weekend, IATSE Local 706 announced the winners of the 8th Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Birds of Prey” won two awards apiece in the film categories.

With its two wins, “Ma Rainey’s” has officially become the frontrunner for the Oscars, since “Birds of Prey” wasn’t included amongst the Academy’s nominees.

“Pinocchio” earned the award for Best Special Make-Up Effects in a Feature.

Outside of the competitive categories, Eddie Murphy received the guild’s Distinguished Artisan Award. The guild’s first Lifetime Achievement honor was given to Matthew Mungle, a five-time Oscar nominee. Mungle won the Oscar for 1993’s “Dracula”. Three-time Emmy winner Terry Baliel was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement honor.

Two Vanguard Awards were given to artists who have made important groundbreaking achievements in their fields. Bernadine Anderson, the head of makeup for “Coming to America”, is the first woman and first woman of color to become a member of the guild. Richard Battle is an Emmy nominee who made a career in wigs and makeup for his work on PBS’s broadcasts of theatrical productions.He has worked with the San Francisco Ballet for over 40 years.

Anthony Anderson hosted this year’s awards.

FULL LIST OF FILM WINNERS:

Best Contemporary Make-Up

BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN)
Deborah Lamia Denaver, Sabrina Wilson, Miho Suzuki, Cale Thomas

Best Period and/or Character Make-Up

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM
Matiki Anoff, Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Carl Fullerton, Debi Young

Best Special Make-Up Effects

PINOCCHIO
Mark Coulier

Best Contemporary Hair Styling

BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN)
Adruitha Lee, Cassie Russek, Margarita Pidgeon, Nikki Nelms

Best Period Hair Styling and/or Character Hair Styling

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM
Mia Neal, Larry Cherry, Leah Loukas, Tywan Williams