We acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and give respect to their Elders, past and present.

Read our Statement of Reflection

Your Cart

Your cart is empty right now...

Discover what's on
Your Stuff
Lists
No lists found
Create list
List name
0 Saved items
Updated: a few seconds ago
Getting Started
Get started with Your Stuff

A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, list and share your favourite collection items and articles. This account will give you access to Your Stuff, NFSA Player and Pro. You will need to create an additional account for Canberra event tickets.

Confirm
Skip to main content
National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

Mad Max: Vivien Mepham's make-up kit

Mad Max: Vivien Mepham's make-up kit

1979

  • NFSA ID9TRBHMJG
  • TypeDocumentation
  • MediumDocumentation
  • FormMemorabilia
  • Year1979

Make-up artist Vivien Mepham created all sorts of gruesome effects for George Miller’s high-octane road movie Mad Max (1979), which was partly inspired by Miller’s childhood in the rural Queensland town of Chinchilla, where car culture was fuelled by drag races and no speed limits. This original kit features homemade fake blood, sweat and dirt powders, Leichner crème cakes, mortician’s wax, kajal (eye make-up), bloody bandages, sponges and brushes, all used to craft the cuts, wounds and bruises that defined this daring film. It's an insight into the often unacknowledged craft of the make-up designer but also highlights the creativity and resourcefulness needed when working on a low-budget film. Mad Max went on to become a global franchise, cementing its place in cinematic history.

Make-up artist Vivien Mepham created all sorts of gruesome effects for George Miller’s high-octane road movie Mad Max (1979), which was partly inspired by Miller’s childhood in the rural Queensland town of Chinchilla, where car culture was fuelled by drag races and no speed limits. This original kit features homemade fake blood, sweat and dirt powders, Leichner crème cakes, mortician’s wax, kajal (eye make-up), bloody bandages, sponges and brushes, all used to craft the cuts, wounds and bruises that defined this daring film. It's an insight into the often unacknowledged craft of the make-up designer but also highlights the creativity and resourcefulness needed when working on a low-budget film. Mad Max went on to become a global franchise, cementing its place in cinematic history.

Decades
    Decades
    Industry professional? Go Pro

    Need to license this item? A/V professionals and researchers can shortlist licensing enquiries via our NFSA Pro catalogue search and membership.

    Get started with PRO

    Collections to explore

    • 1970s

    • 1900s

    • 1960s

    • Start your own collection

      A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, organise and share your favourite videos, audio and stories.

    More in Stories+

    Personalized your experience

    Save, create and share

    With NFSA Your Stuff