Speculative fiction nominees galore at the Makeup and Hair Stylists Guild Awards

"Stay tuned for the nominees of the Makeup and Hair Stylists Guild Awards."  So I concluded 'The Shape of Water,' 'Wonder Woman,' 'Game of Thrones,' and 'The Handmaid's Tale' all winners at the Costume Designers Guild Awards and so I shall continue today.

Wochit Entertainment introduces tonight's awards with "Wonder"ful Makeup & Hairstyling Nominations In Our ‘Darkest Hour’.

The Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild announced the nominations for its 2018 awards on Friday, with “Wonder” and “Darkest Hour” leading all films with three nominations each for their prosthetic makeup and hairstyling. There were a few other nominations too, including “The Big Sick,” “Pitch Perfect 3,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” “Blade Runner 2049” and “I, Tonya” each receiving two nominations each. Television nominees included “The Crown,” “Game of Thrones,” “Stranger Things” and “GLOW.” Winners will be announced on February 24 at the Nuovo at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles.

The video mentioned some of the speculative fiction nominees, but not all, and certainly not the number and categories of awards.  PR Newswire's press release about the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards nominations does the trick.  First, the movie categories, every one of which has at least one speculative fiction nominee, along with my opinions of their chances and the movie I think will win.

1. FEATURE-LENGTH MOTION PICTURE - BEST CONTEMPORARY MAKE-UP

BABY DRIVER
Fionagh Cush, Phyllis Temple

THE BIG SICK
Leo Won, Kirsten Sylvester

GHOST IN THE SHELL
Deborah La Mia Denaver, Jane O'Kane

PITCH PERFECT 3
Melanie Hughes-Weaver, Judy Yonemoto, Erica Kyker

WONDER
Naomi Bakstad, Jean Black, Megan Harkness

"Ghost in the Shell" is the one speculative fiction nominee in the field.  This is its one Hollywood guild nomination for the movie, the other being for its trailer.  Unfortunately, it won't win it, as I think "Wonder" has it all sewn up; it is the one movie in this field with an Oscar nomination.

2. FEATURE-LENGTH MOTION PICTURE - BEST CONTEMPORARY HAIR

THE BIG SICK 
Tonia Ciccone, Toni Roman-Grimm

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY-VOL. 2
Camille Friend, Louisa Anthony, Jules Holdren

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
Cydney Cornell, Susan Buffington

PITCH PERFECT 3
Cheryl Marks, Melissa Malkasian, Andrea Bowman

WONDER
Robert Pandini, Alisa Macmillian

"Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2" is the sole speculative fiction nominee here.  I think it has a better chance than "Ghost in the Shell" in its category, but I still think it has an uphill battle against "Wonder."  I also think it has stiffer competition from the other nominees.

3. FEATURE-LENGTH MOTION PICTURE - BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER MAKE-UP

BLADE RUNNER 2049
Donald Mowat, Jo-Ann MacNeil, Csilla Horvath Blake

BRIGHT
Alessandro Bertolazzi, Cristina Waltz, Judy Murdock

DARKEST HOUR
Ivana Primorac, Flora Moody

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN
Nicki Ledermann, Tania Ribalow, Sunday Englis

I, TONYA
Deborah La Mia Denaver, Teresa Vest, Bill Myer

Check it out, the urban fantasy "Bright" got a nomination.  While I'm sure it will get another one next week at the Saturn Awards for Best Fantasy Film, this is the only Hollywood guild nomination it earned.  Unfortunately, the other speculative fiction film in the field, "Blade Runner 2049," is a more highly regarded film with five Oscar nominations.  Worse yet, both are competing against "The Darkest Hour," which has one of the three nominations for Makeup and Hairstyling at the Oscars.  In fact, I think "The Darkest Hour" has the best chance out of this field of three.

4. FEATURE-LENGTH MOTION PICTURE - BEST PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER HAIR

ATOMIC BLONDE    
Enzo Angileri

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Jenny Shircore, Marc Pilcher, Charlotte Hayward

BLADE RUNNER 2049
Kerry Warn, Lizzie Lawson Zeiss, Jaime Leigh McIntosh

DARKEST HOUR
Ivana Primorac, Flora Moody

I, TONYA
Adruitha Lee, Mary Everett

"Blade Runner 2049" earned a second nomination in this category, where it's competing with a second speculative fiction nominee, "Beauty and the Beast."  Both of them have a decent chance against "Darkest Hour," but I think the nominee with the best chance of an upset is "I, Tonya."  "Beauty and the Beast" has the next best shot.

5. FEATURE-LENGTH MOTION PICTURE - BEST SPECIAL MAKE-UP EFFECTS

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY-VOL. 2
John Blake, Brian Sipe

DARKEST HOUR                  
Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, Lucy Sibbick

THE SHAPE OF WATER
Mike Hill, Shane Mahan

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI
Neal Scanlan, Peter Swords King

WONDER      
Arjen Tuiten, Michael Nickiforek

Speculative fiction films have their best showing here with three nominees, "The Shape of Water," "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" and the second nomination for "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2."  However, I think this is a battle between the two Oscar nominees, "Darkest Hour" and "Wonder," in the one category where they face each other.  Whichever one wins has the advantage at the Oscars.

By the way, one Oscar nominee, "Victoria & Abdul," was not nominated at all at these awards.  That confirms to me that it's not seriously in the running for the Oscar and makes me wonder whether or not a speculative fiction film such as "Blade Runner 2049" or "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2" should have been nominated instead.  I think the Saturn Awards will do their best to rectify that omission. 

Follow over the jump for nominees in other media.


In television, the same three speculative fiction series that have appeared in all awards shows appear here, "Game of Thrones," "Stranger Things," and "The Handmaid's Tale."  Joining them are "Vikings," "The Orville," and "The Walking Dead."  However, the big winner is likely to be "Saturday Night Live," which is the only show nominated in four of the five television series categories.

6. TV AND NEW MEDIA SERIES - BEST CONTEMPORARY MAKE-UP

DANCING WITH THE STARS
Zena Shteysel Green, Angela Moos, Sarah Woolf

GRACE AND FRANKIE
Robin Siegel, David De Leon, Bonita DeHaven

THE HANDMAID'S TALE
Burton LeBlanc, Talia Reinhold, Erika Caceres

RuPAUL'S DRAG RACE
David Petruschin, Jen Fregozo, Natasha Marcelina De Poyo

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Louie Zakarian, Amy Tagliamonti, Jason Milani

While this is the sole nomination at these awards for "The Handmaid's Tale," I don't think it will win.  It's competing against "Saturday Night Live," the one returning nominee, and "Dancing with the Stars," which won for hair last year.  I think one of those two will win instead.  Speaking of which...

7. TV AND NEW MEDIA SERIES - BEST CONTEMPORARY HAIR STYLING

DANCING WITH THE STARS
Mary Guerrero, Kimi Messina, Gail Ryan

EMPIRE
Melissa Forney, Theresa Fleming, Nolan Kelly

GRACE AND FRANKIE
Julie Rea, Jonathan Hanousek, Marlene Williams

RuPAUL'S DRAG RACE
Gabriel Villarreal, Hector Yovani Pocasangre

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Jodi Mancuso, Jennifer Serio, Inga Thrashe

No speculative fiction series here, but I'm including the category because of the match-up I mentioned immediately above.  I think "Dancing with the Stars" is favored.

8. TV AND NEW MEDIA SERIES - BEST PERIOD / CHARACTER MAKE-UP

THE CROWN
Ivana Primorac

GAME OF THRONES 
Jane Walker, Nicola Matthews

GLOW
Lana Horochowski, Maurine Burke

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Louie Zakarian, Amy Tagliamonti, Jason Milani

STRANGER THINGS
Amy Forsythe, Jillian Erickson

"Game of Thrones" is the one returning nominee and defending winner, so I consider it the favorite.  Besides, it is the most nominated speculative fiction show with three nominations.  I suspect "Saturday Night Live" is its toughest competition.

9. TV AND NEW MEDIA SERIES - BEST PERIOD / CHARACTER HAIR STYLING

THE CROWN
Ivana Primorac

GAME OF THRONES 
Kevin Alexander, Candice Banks

GLOW
Theraesa Rivers, Valerie Jackson

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Jodi Mancuso, Jennifer Serio, Inga Thrasher

VIKINGS
Dee Corcoran, Zuelika Delaney, Peter Burke

"Game of Thrones" is also the returning champion and I think it will win again.  Its toughest competition is either SNL or "GLOW."

10. TV AND NEW MEDIA SERIES - BEST SPECIAL MAKE-UP EFFECTS

GAME OF THRONES
Barrie Gower, Sarah Gower

THE ORVILLE
Howard Berger, Tami Lane, Garett Immell

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Louie Zakarian, Jason Milani, Tom Denier

STRANGER THINGS
Amy Forsythe, Jillian Erickson

THE WALKING DEAD
Greg Nicotero

Hot damn, four speculative fiction shows and SNL in a open field, as last year's winner, "Westworld" is not eligible.  The three returning nominees are "The Walking Dead," "Game of Thrones," and SNL.  I'm rooting for the zombies, but I think either "Game of Thrones" or SNL are favored.

Now for the miniseries and TV movies.

11. TV MINI SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION – BEST CONTEMPORARY MAKE-UP

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: CULT
Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kim Ayers, Silvina Knight

BIG LITTLE LIES
Steve Artmont, Nicole Artmont

FARGO
Gail Kennedy, Joanne Preece, Danielle Hanson

MICHAEL JACKSON: SEARCHING FOR NEVERLAND
Geneva Nash Morgan, Sue Laprelle, April Chaney

TWIN PEAKS
Debbie Zoller, Richard Redlefsen, Mandi Crane

It's "American Horror Story: Cult" versus "Twin Peaks," both of which are up against miniseries juggernaut "Big Little Lies" in a category with no returning winner.  I'm rooting for "American Horror Story", but I'm not optimistic about the chances of the killer clowns against the moms of "Big Little Lies."

12. TV MINI SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION – BEST CONTEMPORARY HAIR STYLING

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: CULT
Michelle Ceglia, Samantha Wade, Brittany Madrigal

BIG LITTLE LIES
Michelle Ceglia, Nickole Jones, Jocelyn Carpenter

FARGO
Chris Glimsdale, Penny Thompson, Judy Durbacz

MICHAEL JACKSON: SEARCHING FOR NEVERLAND
Karen Dick, Liz Ferguson

MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS 2017
Jerilynn Stephens, Meagan Herrera-Schaaf, Maria Sandoval

"American Horror Story" is the returning winner and "MTV Video Music Awards" is the other returning nominees, but both are competing with "Big Little Lies.  Again, I'm not optimistic about the horror miniseries.

13. TV MINI SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION – BEST PERIOD / CHARACTER MAKE-UP

A CHRISTMAS STORY LIVE
Tonia Green, Silvia Leczel

FEUD: BETTE AND JOAN
Eryn Krueger Mekash, Robin Beauchesne

MUDBOUND
Angie Wells, Carla Brenholtz, Emily Tatum

TWIN PEAKS
Debbie Zoller, Richard Redlefsen, Mandi Crane

WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: TEN YEARS LATER
Lindsay Garrison, Laura Peyer, Alex Perrone

The one speculative fiction nominee is "Twin Peaks" and I'm rooting for it, but I think it's facing an uphill battle against both "Feud: Bette and Joan" and "Mudbound."  The former had multiple Emmy nominations and the latter is an Oscar-nominated film!

14. TV MINI SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION – BEST PERIOD / CHARACTER HAIR STYLING

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: CULT
Michelle Ceglia, Samantha Wade, Julie Rael

A CHRISTMAS STORY LIVE
Dean Banowetz, Lotus Seki, Derrick Spruill

FARGO
Chris Glimsdale, Carol Doran

FEUD: BETTE AND JOAN
Chris Clark, Ralph Abalos, Wendy Southard

MUDBOUND
Lawrence Davis, Dana Boisseau

"American Horror Story" is the one returning nominee, but I'm not optimistic about its chances against "Feud: Bette and Joan" and "Mudbound" in this category, either.

15. TV MINI SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION – BEST SPECIAL MAKE-UP EFFECTS

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: CULT
Eryn Krueger Mekash, Michael Mekash, David Anderson

BLACK MIRROR: "USS CALLISTER"
Tanya Lodge

FARGO
Gail Kennedy, Dave Trainor, Christina Tea Scott

GENIUS
Davina Lamont, Goran Lundstrom

TWIN PEAKS
Debbie Zoller, Richard Redlefsen, Jamie Kelman

Speculative fiction makes a strong showing here with "American Horror Story: Cult," "Twin  Peaks," and the one nomination for "Black Mirror: USS Callister."  In addition, the Einstein biography "Genius" is nominated.  The only way genre can lose is if "Fargo" wins.  Even then, I can claim it's a thriller.

"American Horror Story" has two more nominations in the next two categories, which are for commercials and music videos.

16. COMMERCIALS & MUSIC VIDEOS - BEST MAKE-UP

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: CULT PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN
Kerry Herta, Jason Collins, Christina Waltz

FOO FIGHTERS  "RUN"
Tony Gardner, Thomas Floutz

KATY PERRY  "SWISH SWISH"
Koji Ohmura, April Hutchinson

PINK FEAT. EMINEM "REVENGE" MUSIC VIDEO
KC Mussman, Kathy Jeung

SPECTRUM TV COMMERCIAL "PARENT TEACHER NIGHT"
Edward French, Margaret Beserra-Prentice, Bart Mixon

"American Horror Story" won this category last year, so I think it's favored, but that's not what's attracting my attention.  It's the Pink vs. Katy Perry battle of music videos. Where have I seen that before?

17. COMMERCIALS & MUSIC VIDEOS - BEST HAIR STYLING

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: CULT PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN
Nicki Alkire, Fernando Navarro, Stephanie Rives

iPHONE X, DAVID BECKHAM AND SPRINT: GAME CHANGERS
Jerilynn Stephens, Meagan Herrera-Schaaf, Ken Paves

KATY PERRY "SWISH SWISH"
Audrey Futterman-Stern, Tom Opitz

SELENA GOMEZ  "BAD LIAR"
Linda Flowers, Anna Rose Kern, James Sartain

HONDA CAR COMMERCIAL WITH SEAN HAYES "JACK GOES BIG"
Tim Burke, Renee Vaca, Ken Paves

Both "American Horror Story" and Katy Perry's "Swish Swish" are facing off here again.  I'm not sure who to root for.

I'm skipping the threatrical production categories for two more television categories.*

20. CHILDREN AND TEEN PROGRAMMING - BEST MAKE-UP

ANNE WITH AN E
Diane Mazur, Larissa Palaszczuk

HENRY DANGER
Michael Johnston, Patti Brand-Reese, Melanie Mills

JUST ADD MAGIC
Myriam Arougheti, Merry Lee Traum

THE THUNDERMANS
Michelle Keck Smith, Chelsea Jolton

WALK THE PRANK
Jennifer Aspinall, Ned Neidhardt

21. CHILDREN AND TEEN PROGRAMMING - BEST HAIR STYLING

AN AMERICAN GIRL STORY – IVY & JULIE 1976: A HAPPY BALANCE
Josie Peng, Jennie Lechleidner

HENRY DANGER
Joe Matke, Roma Goddard, Dwayne Ross

JUST ADD MAGIC
Gabrielle Suarez, Desiree Ponce

THE THUNDERMANS
Jeanette (Jani) Kleinbard, Janet Moore

WALK THE PRANK
Ursula Hawks, Mary Howd

"Henry Danger," "Just Add Magic," and "The Thundermans" are the three speculative fiction shows.  Of all of them, I'm rooting for "Just Add Magic," which has made the most appearances in other awards shows.  However, I think "Anne with an E" and "An American Girl Story" are favored in their categories.

That's it for the nominees.  I'll have more about the winners next week.  In the meantime, stay tuned for the nominees of both the Saturn Awards and Nebula Awards.

*Even though "The Tales of Hoffmann" is a perfectly good fantasy, so I'd root for it, sight unseen.