Isabella Flores
In the film adaptation of the musical *Wicked*, Cynthia Erivo portrays Elphaba Thropp, also known as the Wicked Witch of the West. Erivo's characterisation of Elphaba included green skin, achieved through makeup and paint rather than CGI. Erivo herself chose to use practical effects because she wanted to fully immerse herself in the character and portray her to the best of her abilities. The makeup designer, Frances Hannon, created a checklist to ensure the makeup looked authentic, complementing Erivo's features and working in every light. The entire transformation took up to four hours each day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for choosing paint over CGI | To immerse herself fully into her character |
| Time taken for the transformation | 2.5 hours to 4 hours |
| Prosthetics | Prosthetic ears to avoid removing piercings |
| Paint colour | A shade of green that complimented Erivo's features and worked in every light |
| Details | Freckles, eyebrow transfers, nails, wigs, and contact lenses |
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What You'll Learn
Cynthia Erivo's choice to be painted green
For her role as Elphaba in the musical adaptation of "Wicked", Cynthia Erivo chose to be painted green instead of using CGI. Erivo explained that she wanted to immerse herself fully in her character and that seeing herself as green helped her embody Elphaba. She also wanted to portray Elphaba to the best of her abilities and believed that practical effects would help her achieve this, even if it meant enduring a lengthy and gruelling transformation process each day.
Erivo shared that it could take up to four hours to cover her entire body in green paint, including her hands, and this process was repeated daily. She also wore prosthetic ears to avoid removing her 27 piercings each day. The actress worked closely with the film's makeup designer, Frances Hannon, to find the perfect shade of green that would complement her features and work in every lighting condition.
Hannon and Erivo also collaborated to give Elphaba a visual arc as the film progressed. While the base green colour remained consistent, subtle details were added, such as freckles, eyebrow transfers, and darker lips, eyes, and nails to reflect Elphaba's growing power. Erivo also paid special attention to her character's nails, noting that the original Wicked Witch had nails, and she wanted to show a progression in Elphaba's journey as a witch and a woman.
The decision to use practical effects instead of CGI extended beyond Erivo's personal preference. The production of "Wicked" utilised many practical sets, and having Erivo show up on set as Elphaba helped maintain the energy and immersion in the world of Oz for both the cast and crew. Additionally, the green makeup needed to be durable and not transfer onto her co-stars or elaborate costumes.
Ultimately, Erivo's choice to be painted green was a testament to her dedication to her craft and her desire to fully embody the iconic character of Elphaba, both for herself and for those working alongside her.
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The lengthy process of applying the green paint
Erivo's insistence on practical effects presented a unique challenge for the film's makeup designer, Frances Hannon. Hannon had to create a shade of green that would complement Erivo's features, work in every light, and not transfer onto co-stars or costumes. The makeup also needed to last all day and couldn't look painted on. Hannon's attention to detail extended to subtle character details, such as freckles and eyebrow transfers, which evolved as the film progressed.
The process of applying the green paint was gruelling and intense for Erivo. She shared behind-the-scenes photos and videos of herself in the makeup chair, with her hands and body completely covered in paint. Erivo also wore prosthetic ears to avoid removing her piercings daily. The transformation extended beyond the paint, with wigs and costumes also playing a crucial role in bringing Elphaba to life.
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The challenges of creating the right shade of green
Creating the right shade of green for Cynthia Erivo's character Elphaba in "Wicked" presented several challenges. Firstly, Erivo wanted to be physically transformed into Elphaba by having her skin painted green, rather than relying on CGI. This decision was driven by her desire to fully immerse herself in the character and connect with Elphaba on a deeper level.
The makeup designer, Frances Hannon, faced the challenge of finding the perfect shade of green that would complement Erivo's features and work in every lighting condition. The shade of green had to be aesthetically pleasing and realistic, enhancing Erivo's "extraordinarily beautiful" features rather than detracting from them. Additionally, the makeup had to be long-lasting and transfer-proof to withstand long days of filming without rubbing off on co-stars or elaborate costumes.
Hannon also wanted to ensure that the green makeup did not appear flat or one-dimensional. To achieve this, she added subtle details such as freckles and eyebrow transfers, enhancing the texture and depth of Erivo's skin. The green shade had to be consistent throughout the film, but Hannon introduced subtle changes to reflect Elphaba's progression and discovery of her power, such as darker lips, eyes, and nails as the character's strength grew.
Another challenge was ensuring that the green makeup did not interfere with other aspects of Elphaba's appearance, such as her hair and costume. Micro-braiding was used to keep Elphaba's hair close to her head, preventing it from overwhelming her small frame or clashing with the green makeup. The green shade also had to be carefully considered to avoid any colour clashes with the character's iconic dark clothing and hat.
The process of transforming Erivo into Elphaba was time-consuming, taking up to four hours each day. This lengthy process was necessary to ensure that the green makeup was applied flawlessly and met all the requirements, contributing to the overall success of Erivo's portrayal of Elphaba in "Wicked".
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The importance of the green skin to the character
The green skin of the character Elphaba played by Cynthia Erivo in the movie adaptation of the musical "Wicked" is important for several reasons. Firstly, it is a defining physical characteristic of the character, originally made popular by the 1939 film. In the Broadway musical, Elphaba's green skin is explained by the narrative as being caused by her mother consuming a green elixir while pregnant with her, which was given to her by a man later revealed to be the Wizard of Oz. The green skin is therefore a memorable and iconic part of the character's design, and it helps to set Elphaba apart from other witches or magical characters.
Secondly, the green skin serves a narrative purpose beyond just being a visual trait. In the musical and movie adaptations, Elphaba's green skin is a source of conflict and drives the plot by making her a misunderstood and marginalized character. It becomes a symbol of her struggle to discover her true power and find acceptance, which is a key theme in the story. The green skin also adds a layer of complexity to Elphaba's character, as she grapples with her unique appearance and seeks to define her own identity beyond just her physical traits.
Additionally, the green skin is important to the character's design and visual progression throughout the movie. Erivo and the film's makeup designer, Frances Hannon, worked closely together to create a specific visual arc for Elphaba as the film progresses. While the base green colour remains consistent, subtle changes and additions, such as freckles, eyebrow transfers, and darker lips and nails, reflect Elphaba's growing power and confidence as a witch. The green skin thus becomes a canvas for these additional details, enhancing the character's overall visual transformation and development.
Lastly, the green skin is significant because it contributes to the immersive quality of the film. By choosing practical effects over CGI, Erivo wanted to fully embody Elphaba and ensure that the character felt real and three-dimensional. This decision allowed her to connect with the character on a deeper level and bring a sense of authenticity to her performance. The practical effects also allowed for intricate details, such as freckles and variations in skin tone, which added to the overall realism and helped create a more textured and nuanced appearance for Elphaba.
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The use of practical effects vs CGI in blockbusters
In the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked, Cynthia Erivo, who plays the role of Elphaba, revealed that she chose to be painted green rather than rely on CGI. She wanted to immerse herself fully in her character and portray Elphaba to the best of her abilities. She also wanted to emphasise the texture of her skin, complete with freckles and shades, to reflect the essence of her character.
This example showcases the ongoing debate in the film industry about the use of practical effects versus CGI. While CGI has become increasingly prevalent, with movies like Avengers Infinity War, The Flash, and Blue Beetle relying heavily on it, some filmmakers continue to advocate for practical effects.
Practical effects have several advantages. They enhance the actors' performances by providing physical objects for them to interact with, creating a more authentic experience. For instance, Top Gun: Maverick used real planes, allowing the audience to witness the actors' genuine reactions. Additionally, practical effects can evoke emotions and reactions that CGI may struggle to replicate. In the film Oppenheimer, the Trinity Test explosion sequence was achieved through practical effects, creating astounding images that captivated audiences.
On the other hand, CGI has its benefits and is essential for creating entire fictional worlds, as seen in Avatar and Star Wars. It is particularly useful for expansive landscapes, saving time and resources compared to building physical structures.
Ultimately, both practical effects and CGI have their merits, and filmmakers must decide which technique serves the story best. Achieving a balance between the two can enhance the audience's experience, ensuring that a movie isn't "ruined" by excessive reliance on either method.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Cynthia Erivo was painted green to play the role of Elphaba Thropp, the Wicked Witch of the West, in the film adaptation of Wicked.
Erivo has stated that she wanted to immerse herself fully in the character and that something happens to the "DNA in the space" when she walks into a room full of people as a green woman. She also wanted to portray Elphaba to the best of her abilities and felt that wearing makeup to make herself look green would help her do that.
Erivo's transformation took up to four hours each day.
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