Anderson on Working with Neil Patrick Harris on the Set of the Draculas Daughters Film

Q: Your most recent project was working with Urban Decay Cosmetics as Key Makeup Artist on a short film called Dracula’s Daughters vs. the Space Brains staring Neil Patrick Harris How did you get involved this project?
A: After 25+ years as a Makeup Artist in the Film business, it often happens that we have a chance to not only use certain products, but to also interact with the companies that produce them. In the past, I have had the opportunity to work with several cosmetic companies, usually field testing, and evaluating the products. Urban Decay is one of the more recent I have had the pleasure to work with. It was on Dracula's Daughters vs. Space Brains that I had the chance to work with Tammy Bartel, the Public Relations Manager for Urban Decay. Tammy was actually working on this project in another capacity (wardrobe), but she was kind enough to bring lots of Urban Decay for us to use. I have since had a chance to try out other Urban Decay products on other Films and have given her my opinion of some of those products. I love Urban Decay’s new line of 24/7 Glide-On Eye and Lip Pencils, they are Brilliant! Mind you, I did not use these on Neil!

Q: So what was it like working with Neil Patrick Harris?
A: Neil is a very nice guy. He is smart, witty, has lots of energy and is a Pro.

Q: With a film title like Dracula’s Daughters vs. the Space Brains, was it easy decide on Harris’ makeup look?
A: Sure, in this film, Neil looks like a normal guy, until..... so his 'makeup' was very simple: Make Neil look like Neil.

Q: What was your greatest challenge faced along the way?
A: On this film, there really were no challenges for me, it was simply fun. In my career... the greatest challenge is staying current and creative everyday. Keeping up with the new materials, and techniques.

Q: Although this was a short film, how often did you have to touchup Harris’ makeup?
A: Neil has great skin; he holds his makeup well and did not require much touch up. I do not like to do excessive touch ups on any project, rather only when necessary. When I did, I used Urban Decay's De Slick in a Tube Mattifying Gel. Let me note here that so often some artists will go in to do a touchup after every take, usually to show that they are attentive but more often it is to place themselves and their egos into the center of the action. Unfortunately it is unfair to the actor, often disrupting their concentration.