Interview With Supernatural Make-Up Artist Zabrina Matiru
Once again, The Winchester Family Business is honored to be part of an interview done by Supernatural Legend, a premier Italian “Supernatural” fan site. This time, the interview is with Zabrina Matriu, who is the Key Makeup Designer for “Supernatural.” She’s the one that made Sam Winchester look so damn awful during his illness in season eight, and trust me it’s no easy feat making something that pretty look that bad! This is a great behind the scenes look at what goes into the preparation and execution by the makeup department. It’s not as easy as it looks!
All credit for putting together this interview falls on Giueseppe, founder of Supernatural Legend. Once again, we are most honored to be allowed to participate and thank him for the opportunity. This is the English version of the interview. We are the only site that’s been given permission to post this version. The Italian version can be found here.
Supernatural’s Make-Up Artist releases an exclusive interview to Supernatural Legend! – 08/09/13
Hey Zabrina, I’m Giuseppe the founder of the Italian website dedicated to the show, Supernatural Legend (www.theotherlife.net/supernatural) and from all of our entire staff, we will send to you the compliments for your excellent job in ‘Supernatural.’ Besides, we also want to thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity to ask you a few questions. Please, note that you can answer in your own way taking as much time as you like, everything you say will be of great interest to us.
How did you get the job on “Supernatural†as a makeup artist? What was the first episode you worked on?
Thank you for the opportunity to share some of my experiences working on Supernatural. I appreciate your compliments, and I hope this new season keeps up with your expectations. I’ve been a working as a Make Up artist for over 10 years now. When I was offered the position, I jumped at the opportunity. The first episode I worked on was EP. 801.
I have to say, you did a fantastic job of making someone as beautiful as Jared Padalecki look so haggard during the trials. What sort of planning went into creating that look? Did you get the script ahead of time? How much time do you get to prepare? Can you describe the whole process?
Thank you for the compliment. I do get the script ahead of time, that way we can do as much planning as possible. Once I receive the script, I do a breakdown of the entire episode , making notes of what happens to each character and how many looks they will have and when each look will play within the shooting schedule. This allows me to see how a look will progress within the storyline and how many changes a character will go through. Scenes are not necessarily shot in sequence, so sometimes going back and forth between looks can challenging form a continuity perspective. I’ll come up with a make up design for a character, such as the one I did on “Sam” after a discussion with the director. During the application I discuss what I have in mind with the actor and we establish the look. Once the look goes to camera I can make adjustments based on lighting and camera angles.
How does working on ‘Supernatural’ compare to the other films and TV shows you’ve worked on in your career?
Supernatural is a very unique and wonderful show to be a part of and I’m honored to be here. Despite the long hours the cast and crew are able to remain as one big happy family.
What skills do you find vital to being a successful makeup artist in film and television? Any advice for those trying to break into the business?
Having a successful career as a makeup artist in film and television, as in many industries, is achieved though attitude and determination. Having a creative mind, an artist inclination, a positive disposition and the ability to work well under pressure will get you far. My advice to aspiring Makeup artists, is keep trying and don’t give up. If you want it badly enough, it will happen.
We have seen the two Jensen’s photos you have posted on twitter about the scene where Castiel beat up Dean. They were from an earlier stage, so we were wondering, how many stages you did for that and how many hours took you to have that effect? Also it was all make up or you used even some special effects?
That particular look was established within the scene as it starts with “Dean” uninjured and then he gets progressively worse as Castiel beats him continuously with the butt of the angel knife. There were about 6 stages to the makeup. The first stages progressed from redness , swelling, then nose and mouth blood to superficial cuts fresh bruises and then more blood. The make up FX team, Schminken FX lead by Toby Lindila then took the make up through to the next and final stages with prosthetic applications that give an even more dramatic three dimensional effect to the make up. It was a collaborative effort making “Dean” as beaten up as he was for that episode.
How do actors in general and in ‘Supernatural’ in particular, behave during the long sessions of make up?
Generally patient and with a sense of humor.
Would you share with us some funny or particular story from the set?
There is a real sense of comradery on the set if Supernatural. There is at least one good laugh a day.
Doing the Harlem shake first thing in the morning was quite hilarious, and being able to watch “outtakes” as they unfold in front of you is always fun
Would you tell us something more about your job in this show? Something that means a lot to you.
Spending the amount of time that we do on set means that you ultimately spend more time at work than you do at home. I’ve met some truly wonderful people while working here at Supernatural. It’s the kind of show that makes the job a little easier because you have such a great time doing it.
Supernatural Legend links
The historian of twitter where the actor cites:
http://www.theotherlife.net/supernatural/sito/press/twitter_fb/zabrina_makeupartist.PNG
Section on our website & Italian Translation: http://www.theotherlife.net/supernatural/interviste_attori.htm
It’s strictly forbidden to reproduce all the contents of this website with no mention of Supernatural Legend. These interviews are this website exclusive so all right are reserved. You can find us on:
– WEBSITE: http://www.theotherlife.net/supernatural
– FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SupernaturalLegendSitoItaliano
– TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Super_Legend
– YOU TUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/SuperLegendTheSite
The interview questions were drafted by us ‘Supernatural Legend’ (www.theotherlife.net/supernatural) and ‘The Winchester Family Business’ (www.thewinchesterfamilybusiness.com).

Alice Jester is the founder, editor-in-chief, head writer, programmer, web designer, site administrator, marketer, and moderator for The Winchester Family Business. She is a 30 year IT applications and database expert with a penchant for creative and freelance writing in her spare (ha!!) time. That’s on top of being a wife, mother of two active kids, and four loving (aka needy) pets.
Leave a Reply