The Montreal makeup artist who helped transform Brendan Fraser into a morbidly obese man for “The Whale” says he’s grateful for Oscar recognition of a project that stands as one of the most demanding of his career.

Adrien Morot says he was sleeping when Fraser alerted him to a nomination for best makeup and hairstyling.

In the film, Fraser plays an obese English teacher attempting to reconnect with his estranged daughter.

Morot says it was an especially challenging film because so much of the plot revolves around the character’s imposing size and the way he moves while wearing heavy prosthetics.

The Oscars are to be handed out March 12th.