Jennifer “JQ” Quinteros discusses behind the scenes of Hulu’s Hold Your Breath

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Jennifer "JQ" Quinteros discusses behind the scenes of Hulu's Hold Your Breath

As a makeup artist and character designer, I find myself continually awestruck by the transformative power of artistry and the stories it can bring to life. In the film industry, there are those characters who stand out, and Ebon, from the upcoming psychological thriller Opus, is one such character.

Jennifer Quinteros, often known as JQ, is a skilled special effects makeup artist who has garnered recognition for her work in productions like “X-Men: First Class” and Hulu’s “Hold Your Breath.” The latter series features Sarah Paulson and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. JQ’s makeup designs for characters are not only influenced by the storyline but also by her past as a medical student. With a rich background in television shows and films, including “Hulu’s Kindred” and FX’s “Snowfall,” JQ also hints at exciting developments from her upcoming work on “Opus.

Initially, my fascination with special effects makeup didn’t spark until later in life. As a Pre-Med student, I had no interest in the film industry. However, my passion for makeup was ignited when I watched Bram Stoker’s Dracula as a child and again as an adult. It wasn’t until I realized that Gary Oldman portrayed all the roles, including Dracula, the werewolf, and more, that my curiosity was piqued. The fact that a single actor could embody such diverse characters, delivering stunning performances, left me in awe. From creating period-appropriate mustaches to handling complex prosthetics and creature suits, I found myself captivated by the artistry involved. It dawned on me that someone as talented as Gary Oldman was working with makeup, and I thought, ‘Wow, I want to be part of that.’ This realization led me to develop an interest in special effects makeup, all thanks to Bram Stoker’s Dracula from 1992.

JQ: Essentially, the producers of the film “Hold Your Breath,” a project led by a group of accomplished women in the industry, whom I had collaborated with multiple times throughout my career in L.A., reached out to me approximately a year before filming to discuss the make-up requirements for the production. They were particularly interested in creating realistic likenesses of our actors for two dead bodies that would be featured in the movie. This was part of their budget pitch, so I provided them with contacts for three top-tier special effects labs and explained the cost and time estimates. After nine months, they got back to me with the news that they had secured funding, offering me the role as Department Head for both regular beauty make-up and special effects. The unique aspect of this offer was that I would also be co-Department Head, responsible for design and overall coordination of all make-up aspects of the film. This was an exciting opportunity to have creative control over every visual element related to the movie’s looks. I accepted the job, and we began work in New Mexico, where I had extensive experience. The producers had to gain approval from the studio for my role, as well as from Sarah Paulson, a renowned executive producer with expertise in special effects and horror make-up. Once all parties approved of me, I was given the position, making it one of my favorite jobs during my career.

As a fan, I must say, being part of this production felt like coming home. Now, while I’m all about celebrating female power, I’m not one to insist on exclusivity. But when I learned that Sarah, our lead actress, would be working with a team of women for her wigs and makeup, I knew I had to prepare. I wanted to ensure the wigs’ lace wouldn’t be damaged, so I reached out early to Sarah’s personal hair stylist, Michelle, whose work is nothing short of breathtaking.

It’s crucial for LGBTQIA+ representation to be inclusive and widespread, from churches to workplaces, schools, and beyond. We are all equal; being LGBTQIA+ doesn’t make us any less human or capable. In our industry, women, and queer individuals should have the same opportunities as anyone else. Sarah is a significant figure in the LGBTQIA+ community, not because she promotes it explicitly but because she embodies it naturally, serving as an inspiration to many.

Being a special effects make-up artist isn’t inherently unique or exceptional, as there are countless other talented individuals in the field. However, on set, the role of a Special Effects Make-Up Department Head is often met with admiration, like being a mini rockstar. But what people don’t realize is that both beauty and special effects make-up require immense skill and dedication. While I can manipulate a person’s appearance using prosthetics in special effects, beauty make-up presents unique challenges because I am not a plastic surgeon or a magician. Both aspects of make-up are powerful and important; they each offer distinct possibilities and have their own set of limitations. In my perspective, special effects and beauty make-up are equally challenging and rewarding. I want to emphasize that both require significant mastery and produce stunning results when done well.

The speaker is emphasizing their preference for realism over fantasy, which stems from their background in the medical field. They explain that their understanding of human anatomy and injuries helps them create visually realistic effects for films, such as explaining the gruesome details of a close-range shotgun blast to the face in the movie “Hold Your Breath.” They also mention working closely with the filmmakers and their make-up lab, Autonomous, to ensure that the visuals are as accurate and impactful as possible. The speaker’s medical background has been instrumental in their career, allowing them to have informed discussions about the severity of injuries and providing a visual reference for others who may not fully understand it.

In this film, the characters’ appearances are heavily influenced by the harsh, unforgiving environment they inhabit – the Dust Bowl during the 1930s. Each character’s unique setting is mirrored in their appearance. For instance, Margaret, the character portrayed by Sarah, is constantly striving to keep her family and their surroundings as clean as possible amidst the dust storms. However, this obsession takes a toll on her physical well-being, which is reflected in her makeup, hairstyle, and costume.

I’m absolutely thrilled for the upcoming movie, “Opus”. It’s set to release soon, with Ayo Edebiri from “The Bear” as the main character. John Malkovich also stars and the film is a psychological thriller, or horror, or whatever you’d like to label it. It’s a high-concept feature from A24 Films, and Marc Anthony Green is making his directorial debut, much like Will and Karrie did. I always enjoy working with first-time directors as I get to help bring their initial vision to life. I hope to set a high standard for them so they have an enjoyable experience. It’s challenging being a first-time director, but Marc Anthony Green has done an exceptional job with “Opus”. It’s quite strange, yet John Malkovich and Juliette Lewis deliver brilliant performances. Steph Shep, who is known from the Kardashian world, is making her feature film debut. The movie is twisted in a unique way, and I can’t wait for it to premiere next year during our spooky season in October. I was responsible for overseeing the beauty and special effects, and I think you might find it intriguing.

Check out Hold Your Breath on Hulu on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

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2024-09-24 18:15