X-press Dispatch #1: Donald Mowat and Jake Gyllenhaal

Throwback pic is from the Nightcrawler set, circa Fall 2013

Another day, another use of a second degree of separation Instagram post to keep Jake Gyllenhaal relevant and in the public eye. A shared moment from a professional colleague that nudged Narnia Dispatches to take a quick second look at Donald Mowat's truncated biography page on IMDb. 

What leaps out immediately is how only a mini-biography, that abruptly ends in 2012, is presented. In other words, Mowat's abridged bio curiously ends just when he begins to start working with Jake routinely.  In fact, after 2012, Mowat has been stuck like glue to Jake Gyllenhaal movie projects in much the same way that Nick Payne seemed attached at the hip to Jake when it came to his theater productions (Constellations; If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet; Seawall/A Life?

https://narniadispatches.blogspot.com/2019/08/weekend-musings.html

https://narniadispatches.blogspot.com/2019/09/jake-gyllenhaals-four-year-project-of.html


No, really.  Out of Jake Gyllenhaal’s 14 wide released films since signing with WME in 2012, Mowat has been the makeup designer for 6 of them. That’s right. If we include Prisoners, which began filming in 2012, Mowat has worked as Jake’s make-up artist in nearly 50% of his projects in just six years.

[We've crossed through misleading entries such Accidental Love, which was actually filmed in the spring of 2008, the video short and the TV series appearance.]

So one has to wonder what essential component might a makeup artist possess that would inspire Jake to forge such a deep and abiding relationship with one? Maybe Mr. Mowat is a person Jake  can trust. A person who knows how to keep secrets. 

A CAVE OF SECRETS

The hair and makeup trailer is notorious as Ground Zero for set gossip, and every actor knows it. Says Scott, “Especially on the first day, I’ll never name names when I tell stories. I hardly even bring up examples of other people I’ve worked with. [Actors] pick up on the fact that you respect privacy in general. Then they start to trust that you’re going to respect their privacy.”
“Everything is about trust,”  Filmmaker Magazine

In other words, the makeup trailer is like a sanctuary for an performer in production.  A place where an actor can go to decompress, to hideaway from the hustle and bustle on set, and to perhaps have some quiet time away from others that NDAs may protect you from, but just don't provide the kind of separate physical spaces needed to truly feel safe. Since so many artists are in the closet that alone would not explain Jake's deep attachment to Mowat. Which means that the secrets being hidden away from the world must be much larger than that. Like maybe those children Jake keeps reminding everyone that he doesn't have, yet continues to lament year after year how much he wants. Those kids he just never seems to have time to get around to having. At least not publicly.

As a result, there may have been a more personal reason why access to Jake on set in New Mexico was so tightly controlled when filming Brothers in December 2007. And guess, what? A makeup artist was the excuse for the seclusion even back then.

 Jake near his trailer with an unidentified woman.

A mystery woman that the strategically well-timed story published in the PR go-to rag, Popcrunch (November 2007), easily fit the bill for this concocted battle between Jake and Tobey Maguire. Although we here at Narnia don't know too many makeup artists who "stay with the actor" during a shoot, we do know a few live in nannies who might fit the bill.

..."he'll let her stay with him during the shoot"???? Reeally?

Given that this makeup artist story appeared just a little over a month after the rumor of Jake and Austin Nichols having a surrogate baby together in October 2007, a nanny would be an essential companion for a working actor. Particularly, since Mr. Nichols had been flown to Uruguay, of all places, to provide just the proper cover distance to convince the public that no there-there existed after all. In normal closeting times, it's important to make sure those OTPs are not on the same continent, even while working. Even more so, when a secret baby is involved.

Perhaps this mystery woman, might also explain Just Jared's snarky comment back in the day when he still had some gumption to go rogue every now and then. So the woman holding that big black diaper bag is not Reese Witherspoon. Got it, Jared.

Now we don't know if Donald Mowat likes to wear pink beanies on set *sarcasm intended*, but we do know that he continues to enjoy a special relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal throughout the years. One of those rare individuals he has actually allowed inside that circle of trust. Year after year, hidden away from the world. After working with Jake on six movies in just eight years, who knows what kind of secrets Mowat might hold which could inspire him to be hired over and over again. All we do know, is that children do like familiarity and Jake does have a history with secret rendezvousing and movie trailers. How reassuring to have an ally around who can be trusted at all times; where no explanations are necessary whenever under the radar meet ups are needed, or that private phone call, just to check-in, needs to be made.  Just sayin'.


https://narniadispatches.blogspot.com/2017/04/dont-come-rockinyet-day-5.html  


From TMZ.com, April 10, 2007, 1:30pm PDT:

Jake's New BFF

Forget Matt and Lance, Jake Gyllenhaal has a new buddy.

Jake was spotted in San Diego last week, visiting the set of HBO's pilot "John from Cincinnati," where his pal Austin Nichols plays the lead. Gyllenhaal arrived and was immediately escorted to Nichols' trailer, where they spent most of the day. Austin left the trailer only to grab some grub for the two from catering tables. This photo shows the best friends at a Lakers game in 2006.  

Pic/research sources:  Just Jared; TMZ; PopCrunch; IMDb; Mowat Instagram

Our Playlist:  Dress You Up (Live 1985 Tour) - Madonna

                      Queen of My Double-Wide Trailer - Sammy Kershaw

                      What Makes You Beautiful - The Piano Guys

                      Lipstick on Your Collar - Connie Francis