For her latest role,Elle Fanninghas been transformed not not just once, but many times over.
The actress also had to look like Carter.
“And I think it’s really showing what’s going on inside her.
She looks so different in so many photos.
It’s very drastic.”
“I cut and added a few highlights around the hairline to match the younger Michelle photos we had.
It was cut to match the many photos available from the trial.
This helped create the look of thinness and hair breakage,” Holdren says.
Says Holdren, “We were very lucky to have so many photos and research at our disposal.”
At left, Elle Fanning as Michelle Carter in ‘The Girl From Plainville.’ In the image at right, Michelle Carter walks into Taunton District Court to hear the judge’s verdict in her involuntary manslaughter trial.Steve Dietl/Hulu; Ninivaggi /MediaNews Group/Boston Herald/Getty
Every look started with Ayanian applying a tan to Fanning’s naturally pale skin.
frosty lipstick, oversized false lashes etc.
), this typically meant minimalist stylings on Fanning.
She succeeded in making Fanning look natural.
The biggest challenge for the makeup artist was Michelle’s stunning courtroom change, below.
“Everyone on set was astonished when Elle walked in that first day of courtroom scenes.
Well, that told us all we needed to know!”
Surprisingly, that was the easy (albeit time-consuming) part.
“Then as the show progresses, we sort of see different silhouettes.
She’s wearing a low-cut dress that’s a little bit more skin-revealing.
Another thing viewers might notice is Michelle’s penchant for playing copy-cat.
We see double again when Michelle and her mother Gail (Cara Buono) share clothes throughout the season.
Erin Ayanian
The clothes Michelle wore to court weren’t the only exact pieces the costume designer was able to source.
All of her hard work paid off.
“It’s almost easier to copy a dress from like the ’50s or something.
Elle Fanning and Colton Ryan in ‘The Girl From Plainville.'.Steve Dietl/Hulu
These textiles are very specific to the brand that made them.
“But, it really did help Elle transform.”
“The thing I’m proud of is that Elle was thrilled with the work we all did.
Steve Dietl/Hulu
That’s the ultimate goal, equipping your client to do her best work.
Elle certainly does here and I couldn’t be more proud of her,” Ayanian says.
The Girl From Plainvilleis streaming now on Hulu.
