Based in Italy, Luigi Rocchetti has worked with some of the greatest filmmakers of our time as the lead Makeup artist. He currently just wrapped the remake production of Ben-Hur. It was such a pleasure speaking with him about the art of makeup in film.

Matthew Toffolo: You have been a makeup artist and designer on over 70 productions in the last 35 years. Is there a film/TV show or two that you’re most proud of?

Luigi Rochetti: I have to say, “Dolores Claiborne”, directed by Taylor Hackford. At that time there was no Silicon prosthetics to use for aging actors and in that project I had three major actors to make twenty years older. We used stipple aging, with highligths and shadows. I have to give big thanks to the collaboration of the actors, director and director of photography. I think the results were really good and I’m very…