My Lipstick
So in this weeks’s podcast/vlog I’m talking about the Academy Awards and the marketing machine that really runs the film industry.
That’s not what I want to focus on here. I want to focus on my not so great lipstick in that segment. Lipstick in the corner of my mouth, a dark line at the top of one side of my mouth. I look like a five-year-old did my makeup. It’s totally uneven and unprofessional. If it were a film, there would probably be a reshoot and someone would get fired, except there would be no one to fire because clearly no make-up artist was hired.
Now, in my vlog/podcast, I don’t particularly care since these are not films. I mean yes, I want to look my best and not freak anyone out and truthfully, I did consider redoing the piece as like anyone else I have my pride, but my endeavor is all about showing it like it is without a rehearsed script (or even a written outline) and this is what it is when you don’t have a make-up artist on your “set” doing last looks. (My set, by the way is a room in my home with strategically placed lights, a good microphone and my dog on standby reminding me that food is in the kitchen.) And also, like all artists I’m juggling a lot. So I opt to leave it as it is, truthful and honest…there is no budget, it’s just me talking to whomever might be listening. It’s not my point to be a celebrity or to look like I belong in a magazine; I’m hear to share me as I am.
The flip side…
I often hear people say that when they make a film, if the actors are good, it doesn’t matter if the shooting is poor and sound is terrible and everyone’s heads are shiny. It’s about my story and the performances. Well, that is a play with no lighting or set design. That’s what you have there. You don’t even have a radio show because that also requires a skilled technician.
Imagine an orthodontist saying, “Well, as long as my bedside manner is good, it doesn’t matter if I straighten these teeth correctly. It’s the concept that matters.” Somehow, I don’t think that would go over well.
When I hear people say that, and obviously this happened again recently so here I am ranting about it, all I can think is why is this person making a film? And so, if you are one of these people, seriously, I’m asking you to consider asking yourself this. If you like directing actors, consider working on a play and hiring a lighting and set designer to join you on your journey.
Filmmaking is a craft that requires certain parameters be met including a great picture and great sound (though I have to say the film industry is lacking in sound mixing…literally need subtitles sometimes to watch a movie at home and please do not tell me that “they mixed it for the theatre”. They have money, they can mix it for streaming which is what a larger portion of the population is doing anyway…) and a host of other things including hair and makeup (HMU). I get sometimes we are poor and cannot afford everything. I made a number of films in my early days without HMU and it shows. But please, don’t say it doesn’t matter.
Want to see my FABULOUS lipstick? Check it out this week’s video entitled “Marketing and the Truth About the Academy Awards” available starting Thursday, March 24.