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Transforming truth: the making of Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump in ‘The Apprentice’
A deep dive into Hollywood’s transformative magic
Crafting a new Trump: from real estate mogul to national figure
In Ali Abbasi’s film “The Apprentice”, the character of Donald Trump, portrayed by Sebastian Stan, undergoes a striking physical transformation. The film charts Trump’s evolution from a 1970s local real estate developer to a prominent national celebrity in the 1980s. This metamorphosis is not just a narrative journey but a technical marvel evident in scenes where Trump undergoes a hair transplant and liposuction.
Inside the transformation: expertise and artistry
Michelle Cote, head of the hair department, alongside prosthetics leads Sean Sansom and Brandi Boulet, employed meticulous techniques to transform Stan into Trump. As depicted in the film, Trump begins to lose his hair and gain weight over time. To authentically capture this transformation, Stan’s portrayal necessitated extensive body modifications, including gaining 15 pounds for the role.
The Pills Donny look: an unflinching depiction
For scenes where the character’s shirt or robe are open, the team crafted a padded suit complete with a prosthetic belly, affectionately dubbed the “Pills Donny” look. Boulet explains, “We had a fake belly that we made for Sebastian for part of his ‘Pills Donny’ look, which was my favorite to do because he was all red, blotchy, always eating, sweaty, and a little disheveled.”
The plastic surgery sequence: a technical breakdown
In one pivotal scene, Trump resorts to plastic surgery to simulate youth and slimness. Sansom shares, “For the hair transplant scene, we used the top of a fake head with a scalp. Michelle had a toupee, and an area was cut away where the scalp would be removed. Hair was punched in one hair at a time, and the piece was rigged with a bloodline — shot in a single day.” This attention to detail ensured the procedure felt both authentic and horrifyingly real.
Aging Trump: prosthetics and skill
As Trump ages, Boulet lowered Stan’s prosthetic lift pieces, and cheek plumpers were added to conceal Stan’s chiseled features. “We used an upper dental plate with lumps under his lips to push the mouth area out, giving him that Donald look from the nose down,” explains Sansom. This strategy ensured that the character’s aging process was visually seamless.
The challenge of facial hair and day-long shoots
One of the persistent challenges the team faced was managing Stan’s facial hair during extended shoots. “He’s got a five o’clock shadow the minute he starts shaving,” notes Boulet. This demanded constant touchups to maintain the smooth appearance required for the transformation.
Achieving authenticity: a behind-the-scenes commitment
Makeup artist Colin Penman recalls the intensity of watching the monitor during the recreation of Trump’s 1988 Oprah Winfrey interview, noting, “There’s a fine line where we don’t want to do a parody. We want it to be real.” This commitment to authenticity was paramount, ensuring the transformation was respected and accurate.
Research and dedication: a collective effort
The dedication to capturing Trump’s essence extended beyond physical transformation. The production team compiled an exhaustive collection of reference videos and photographs. Sansom shares, “We aimed to replicate and reproduce some of the photos as accurately as possible.” Boulet adds, “Sebastian had everything. His phone was full of research. He’d come in the morning studying and watching videos.”
The final touch: capturing the essence
To portray a younger Trump, Boulet used prosthetic lift pieces to pull up Stan’s cheeks and eyes, tightening his face. For skin tone, the team opted for a lighter shade moving away from the classic orange. “When younger, his hair was golden from being outside, but as he aged, it became darker,” explains Cote, reflecting on the hair’s evolving look.
A labor of love: the transformation’s lasting impact
Sebastian Stan’s physical and character transformation in “The Apprentice” is a testament to Hollywood’s dedication to authenticity and detail. The seamless blend of prosthetics, wigs, and committed research transformed Stan into a believable representation of Trump, offering viewers a compelling visual journey.
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