Oscar Winning Hair Designer Mia Neal On The Challenges and Triumphs of Smashing Machine
From Look Behind The Look by Host Tiffany Bartok Brings You Closer To The Details Behind Your Favorite Looks In Film, Television and Music
November 12, 2025 · 1h 4m · Season 5 · Episode 25
About this episode
Tiffany Bartok interviews Oscar-winning hair designer Mia Neal about her work on 'The Smashing Machine' and the challenges she faced.
#MiaNeal #TheSmashingMachine #BehindTheScenes Get ready for one of my most favorite episodes ever. Firstly, WHY HAVEN’T YOU SEEN THE SMASHING MACHINE? I saw this film on opening weekend as a #BennySafdi die hard, and was lucky enough to get to pick Oscar Winner, Mia Neal’s beautiful brain about the work she did in the Hair Department for it right after. Let me just tell you, I had NO IDEA what she was about to tell me. Holy Smokes, did Ms. Neal conquer some challenges- in fact, I believe the quote she ended with when I turned off the zoom was “I’m going to be in so much trouble when this airs”... You are going to LOVE this episode, the sound advice Mia shares and examples of sheer bravery she provides in this packed hour. Watch THE SMASHING MACHINE HERE 0:00 - Intro 2:47 - What It’s Like Working With The Safdie Brothers 6:55 - How Dwayne Became Vulnerable For The Role 13:49 - Transforming Emily Blunt into Dawn 17:04 - The Secret Behind Crafting Biopic Looks 23:00 - How Mia Balanced Both Dwayne and Emily’s Wigs 27:00 - The Drama Behind Mia Being Denied Entrance To The Camera Test 31:20 - Stunt Double Wig Fiasco 38:35 - Disaster of A First Fitting 44:20 - Mia Perseveres And Saves…
People in this episode
Host: Tiffany Bartok
Guest: Mia Neal
Topics covered
- hair design
- film production
- Oscar winners
- challenges in filmmaking
- biopic looks
Keywords
- Mia Neal
- The Smashing Machine
- hair design
- film
- Oscar winner
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Safdie Brothers
Books & works: The Smashing Machine
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