About
the Makeup Design.
It was important to me to be respectful of the history
and culture of the Native American tribes shown in this
film. I researched traditional tribal face and body
painting and talked with the Native American consultants
on set. Most of the designs we used came directly from
the North American Indian Portfolios from the Library
of Congress. Many of these paintings were made in Tecumseh's
time. The makeup design was a combination of historical
research, what the budget would allow, what the directors
wanted, and practical solutions to problems. Most of
the young extras were covered in modern tattoos so tribal
war paint served as tattoo cover-up very nicely. It
also worked to hide t-shirt tan-lines.
Tecumseh
recruited his army from many tribes and we included
paint styles from these different tribes. Tecumseh knew
the "theatrical" value of tribal war paint
as a method of intimidation. An eyewitness account of
Tecumseh's men at the meeting with Harrison at Vincennes
stated the warriors were "all painted in the most
terrific manner." - Cap. G. R. C. Floyd
There
were no pictures of Tecumseh's tribal paint. The film
directors wanted him to have something bold and simple.
It was important to me that his design be an authentic
Shawnee design. I choose the design from another Shawnee
Warrior, Payta Kootha. From the portraits by Mc Kenney
and Hall. (photo above right)
Thank
you to my crew who worked long hours under harsh conditions
and did a great job! |
