Linda Balaban worked in television and film production for 20 years. Before that she was a professional actor and voice over artist, and before that, a classically trained flutist. She grew up in Chicago, where her family owned several movie palaces (Balaban & Katz). Linda now owns a global internet-based business and is a certified Heartmath Coach.
You have experience working on big television shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, what was it like coming into a 55-hour film challenge?
I started working in Television production 20 years ago as a production assistant (PA) and my first job was on a Honda TV commercial. PA’s do a little bit of everything in the commercial world which is hard work, but you really feel a part of everything and get to learn a lot in the process. When you work on a big budget union production like an HBO series, you spend all of your time in your own department/universe and there is someone to handle everything (there is a locations department, and accountants and a publicity department, etc. so no need to cross over.) Coming into the Easter Seals 55 hour film challenge felt like a fabulous team effort where we all pitched in to get the job done. The Screenwriter pitched an idea for a location and helped with lighting and grip. I was happy to get the actors something to drink or eat and brought production supplies like a folding table and chairs so the actors had a place to sit. Cory (producer) was a master at promoting I Can and treated everyone with so much respect. He has a talent for making everyone feel a part of it. It was a GREAT crew through and through and felt just as professional as a big budget show, but we just all got to help out a little bit more with things we normally wouldn’t. It was really rewarding!
What was it like working with Larry David?
I loved working with Larry and everyone on the crew. It’s an incredibly talented group of people who are all very good at what they do. People always ask me the same question: is Larry like that in real life? The answer is well, yes, sort of. When it comes to the situations that take place, they are indeed often based on real things that happened or that occurred to Larry in his mind, but just like Jason Alexander’s character George on Seinfeld was an exaggerated version of Larry, the Larry character on Curb is again, an exaggerated version of Larry. The situations just play out a bit different on the show than they might have in reality and he’s not a jerk like he is on the show. In some ways he’s sort of a regular guy on the outside but I see him as someone with a pretty eclectic side.
It’s one of the best crews in Hollywood, and I say that because everyone who came to work on the show whether they were a regular crew member, a day player, actor or background actor, said the same thing; this crew is really special. I’ve never been on a show like this. Everyone is so nice and so welcoming. It was a lot like a big little family. And in my opinion, that trickles down from the top.
What were your concerns volunteering to do HMU, how did you overcome them, and were they warranted in the end?
Over the years I have worked with a lot of professional make-up artists, and this really showed me what some of their day to day challenges are. I have always loved doing other people’s make-up just for fun, and I have felt like it was an unexplored talent. At the last minute they wound up finding a pro make-up artist at the last minute for the 2ndday and I have to say, I was secretly disappointed, and then when she had to cancel at the last moment – I felt relieved and excited to be able to handle it all on my own. That’s when I realized I was going to be just fine!
My main concern was; how will the make-up look under the lighting? I had no experience with this and there is no opportunity for a make-up/hair test on a 55 hour film challenge! I wondered if it would look natural or would the make-up I applied even show up? Do I need to make it more dramatic than normal daytime wear? I really had no idea.
To prepare, I thought about every little thing that might come up, and over stocked my make-up kit. The night before day 1, I consulted with a veteran make-up artist and lash specialist, Ashley O’Boyle who walked me through and confirmed my notion of some basic principles. I combined her guidance with some basic instincts and when I got there on the first day, I was ready for applying some normal make-up – but Diana (our director) pulled me aside and said she wanted the main character, Ellis (played by Jennifer) to look sick, tired and worn out, like she had been through a lot (we shot the final scene first). I took a quick minute and (privately) panicked because I had no idea how to do that and Ashley was no doubt sleeping at 7 AM! Also, I was nervous because make-up for African American skin tones means different undertones and I was nervous that I would not get it right. I snuck away for a minute, and I actually found info online about how to create a sick/tired look on African American skin. I felt so lucky. I only had time to watch about 2 minutes of it because they were about to start shooting. The end result was that it worked out really well. It looked so real and it was fun to create this look. I was truly blown away by the results I got with the cosmetic line I was using! (Arbonne skin care and cosmetics).
What was the most rewarding part of the EDFC experience?
Working on a project with my fiancé (Aaron Sanders) for the first time was awesome. But mostly, being able to have some time with each actor and make them feel really special in my make-up chair was the best part!
Would you encourage more people to participate next year, and why?
Yes, I would highly recommend jumping in! It’s only a couple days out of your life and you get so much back. You get to be a part of an amazing annual event and support an incredible organization like Easter Seals, make new friends, challenge yourself, and you walk away with something of great value; a piece of art that you helped make, and one that will last forever!
Is there anything you would do differently to prepare for next years challenge?
If I happened to be asked to do make-up again, I would take more time to get to know the director’s vision well in advance of the shooting call!