To celebrate the release of The Girl In The Spider’s Web, we wanted to catch up with the remarkable, female-strong workforce who made this feminist story happen – from behind the scenes.
In part two of our 'Behind The Lens' series we speak to the women on set about how they broke into their male-dominated industries; the importance of teamwork; and the positive – if not immediately obvious – impact a lead female role as complicated and as smart as Lisbeth Salander has on society.
Check out The Girl In The Spider’s Web, at cinemas globally.
Eve Stewart, Production Designer
Tell us about your role on set…
The production designer is in charge of every single thing that you look at. From the architecture to the location (which you would choose in advance), down to whether a character has eaten the right biscuit or is using the right teaspoon. I work closely with the costume designer and makeup designer to make sure all the visions pull together.
Are you excited to bring Lisbeth’s world to life?
I’m thrilled because I really love the character and I really love the books. I’ve worked with Claire Foy [Lisbeth Salander] before on something else. She can convey emotion amazingly well and she doesn’t even have to do anything.
Have you faced any hurdles in your career?
I will say, it was really tough as one of the only women coming up through the ranks. And of course, in the construction and lighting departments, since they’re all men you have to have an enormous amount of confidence as a woman trailblazing through a structure like that.
Heike Merker, Hair & Makeup Artist
How did you decide what to do with the tattoos on Lisbeth?
From the outset we knew she’d have a dragon on her right shoulder that extends all the way down her back. We applied tattoos on her ankles, arms and ears and then finally on the neck. You have to apply the tattoos every day. First, we have to apply a prosthetic piece, and on top we apply a tattoo template and then a silicon piece which you remove every day.
How did you decide what Camilla would look like?
With Camilla it was obvious she was blonde. We had this kind of albino reference, with bleached brows, and she was totally like Sylvia [Hoeks, who plays Camilla] herself. Her costumes are always red, to contrast against the bleached hair. Because of her childhood and her whole history with her father, we covered her body in scars like she’d been self-harming. She’s able to conceal that at the beginning, so there’s this reveal and you realise she’s damaged too.
What's it like running a whole department on a movie set?
For me it feels normal and great. I don't like to copy anyone else, I just do things my way and because of that you're always learning. You always learn something new for your next movie. Which is great.
Fiona Lendreth, Financial Controller
What does the financial controller on a film do?
I start right in the beginning, sometimes before the project is green-lit, and I’ll budget the show with a producer. If it’s being shot in different locations, we’ll factor that in before the final decision is made about where we’re going to shoot. For the rest of prep I put together my team, work out logistically how we’re going to make it work and financially how we’re going to make it work. Then once we do that, we do what we call a cost reporting programme, where basically every week, I’m responsible for reporting to the producers and the studio about how we’re getting on.
What do you love about your job?
The logistical planning and shaping the process of the work. I love that I get to travel and work at the same time, which is really a bonus for me.
Are you excited for the film’s release?
I personally have read the entire series of these books years ago and loved them. I think it’s a great story. I’ll go and see it. They can have my 10 bucks, absolutely. Claire’s going to be fantastic as Lisbeth.
Mena Vennen, Art Director
How did you become involved in The Girl In The Spider’s Web?
I’m the (standby) art director here on set. The plan was that I go on holiday but Eve called me – I mean, she’s Oscar-nominated, so I was willing to skip the holiday and come here! My role is a combination of construction, art direction and set decoration. Making sure everything is in place and painted as it should be.
How did you begin your career?
I used to restore furniture. Then I went travelling, and I came home and started working in bars. Then a friend needed someone who could restore old furniture for a film. At first I was like, "I hate the hours!" but I fell in love with the storytelling.
What is a day in your life on the set?
I take a lot of pictures. For example when there are big changes, like a huge explosion and everything has to be built like it’s burned down. We build it, paint it and destroy it. It’s a continual process and lots of fun!
Nadja Klier, Photographer
How did you get involved in The Girl In The Spider’s Web?
It was interesting. Elizabeth Cantillon was looking for a new set photographer. My job is to take pictures while they’re shooting or in advance and behind the scenes. I think Claire felt really comfortable with a female photographer as it's kind of sensitive work to get so close to the actors on set.
Is your field a male-dominated one generally?
Unless you're working in makeup or costume – classically feminine roles – then you’re always outnumbered by men in this industry, which is fine. I’m a one-woman department. I don’t have anyone to share the workload with me, no one is holding my hand if something is broken. I’m not a pushover. I’m not shy. I tell things how they are, I’m always friendly but that’s how I get things done.
What was it like working with Claire and Sylvia?
Claire was very understanding about me constantly being in her eye-line with a camera. She let me shoot her in rehearsal, and take up space while I looked to get the right exposures and angles. Sometimes you get the best pictures in rehearsals. With Sylvia I have never seen such a professional and especially friendly actor, with all crew members, from a person at her level of fame. She did a few stunts really well by herself and that was great to capture.
Check out The Girl In The Spider’s Web, at cinemas globally.
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