Daily Times

Elvis topped the feature competition at the 10th annual Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards (IATSE Local 706), winning a pair of awards for period make-up and period hair styling.

Accepting with the team, Shane Thomas said of the team’s challenge to creating Elvis Presley, “We wanted to represent and respect, but not impersonate.” He also saluted director Baz Luhrmann’s “unwavering commitment” to filmmaking.

Also on Saturday at The Beverly Hilton, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever collected the award for contemporary hair styling. Department head Camille Friend dedicated the award to the late Chadwick Boseman.

Angela Bassett – who is Oscar-nominated for her role as Queen Ramonda in Wakanda Forever – received the Guild’s Distinguished Artisan Award during the ceremony. Bassett called the Guild members the “unsung heroes of filmmaking” as she accepted the award. “For any show, there is a team who works long and hard to help us bring to life the character. … In many ways, you are as responsible [as the actor].” She added that when she came to audiences in Wakanda, “they saw Queen Ramonda. That how important the work that all of you do is.”

Wrapping up, she exclaimed to applause, “Wakanda Forever!”

Also in the MUAHS Awards’ feature categories, Everything Everywhere All at Once won a trophy for contemporary make-up and The Whale claimed the prize for special make-up effects.

Elvis, Wakanda Forever and The Whale, along with All Quiet on the Western Front and The Batman, are currently nominated for the Oscar in Make-up and Hairstyling.

Hosted by Melissa Peterman, the show opened with the presentation of a proclamation naming Feb. 11 as Makeup and Hair Stylist Day in the City of Los Angeles. Additionally, IATSE Local president Matthew Loeb was on hand to help welcome and congratulate guild members, receiving applause as he asserted that “we have to have equal pay for equal work. Equal opportunities. LGBTQ rights. Women’s reproductive rights. There are social issues and work issues. IATSE will pursue these. … All work deserves dignity and respect.”