TORONTO – Traci Loader, an accomplished makeup artist from Ontario, has received her first Oscar nomination for her work in the gothic horror film "Nosferatu," directed by Robert Eggers. Loader helped create the haunting blood tears that Lily-Rose Depp’s character, Ellen Hutter, sheds in the film. After learning about her nomination, Loader expressed overwhelming emotions, stating, “I’ve just been crying from happiness. As a Canadian, to achieve something like that, I just didn’t think it would happen in my career. It was really overwhelming and surreal.”

The Newmarket, Ontario native is part of a talented Canadian team nominated for best makeup and hairstyling alongside David White and Suzanne Stokes-Munton from England. Loader emphasized her pride in being part of a Canadian crew that collaborated with Eggers, stating, “I’m just glad that it was Canadians that Robert clicked with for some of the key creative roles.” The film, which serves as a remake of F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent classic, features Depp as a young woman enthralled by the dark allure of Count Orlok, portrayed by Bill Skarsgård.

In addition to Loader, other Canadians associated with "Nosferatu" received Oscar nominations. Linda Muir from Toronto is nominated for best costume design, while Craig Lathrop, also from Toronto, is in the running for best production design. Muir expressed her joy upon receiving the nomination, highlighting the hard work and dedication of the entire costume team. “I definitely had tears in my eyes because I feel the entire costume team worked so hard and so diligently to meet the demands of the script and of Robert's vision,” she remarked.

Loader, Muir, and Lathrop previously collaborated with Eggers on films like 2015's "The Witch," which garnered recognition for its authenticity and attention to detail. Muir explained that working with Eggers involves a shared vision and a deep commitment to historical accuracy, which can be challenging due to the often-limited documentation of the periods depicted in his films. “We all see the value in striving for authenticity in these period films that Robert writes,” she mentioned.

In "Nosferatu," Loader's approach to makeup was distinctive, using various tints and hues to illustrate the gradual possession of Ellen Hutter by Orlok, rather than conventional beauty makeup. She focused on making Depp's skin appear paler and accentuating her natural features, in a subtle progression that reflects the character’s transformation throughout the film. "When you take a photo of her at the beginning of the film, and then the end of the film, there’s a huge difference, but the progression is very planned out,” noted Loader, emphasizing her creative intent.

Set in 1938 Germany and Transylvania, "Nosferatu" was filmed in Prague. Muir's extensive research for costume design included examining vintage fashion journals from the time period, particularly those originating in Germany. This process was challenging, as Muir, who has a vast amount of experience in film and television, mentioned, “That was a bit of a hunt to find. I don’t read German and I don’t live in Berlin.” Muir aimed to recreate historical garments for Orlok, reflecting the character’s undead nature with tattered, "corpsified" attire, symbolizing his tragic backstory.

As the awards season approaches, both Loader and Muir have shifted their focus from personal accolades to the ongoing challenges faced by those impacted by wildfires in Los Angeles. Muir expressed her concern, stating, “It’s been really harrowing for everyone in Los Angeles. It’s been extremely stressful for everyone having to contend with the wildfires.”

Loader also shared her hopes that the nominations would reflect Canada's evolving film industry, showcasing its capabilities and contributions. “I remember in the ’90s, when bigger shows shot here, they would always bring the department heads here and then just hire their crew. And now Canada’s making its mark and showing that we are capable of doing all these things,” Loader asserted. The 97th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 2 in Los Angeles, with live coverage on CTV.