A year in review...


Even though 2009 started off slowly, it is ending with a big bang! I was proud to be part of many incredible productions this year and also happy to be part of the magic that is television and filmmaking in San Diego!

As a professional makeup artist I am asked to make actors/actresses look their very best, but sometimes I am requested to make them look...scary, dead, injured and just plain ugly! 2009 seemed to be the year of special effects for me and I was happy to embrace that passion!

Here is a little background information about my special effects career; I studied for 3 years with one of the best Special Effects Artists of our time, Mr. Stan Winston. I had the privilege of apprenticing on many of his films, including Terminator (1984), Ailens and Invaders from Mars right after graduating from makeup school. Prior to that, I went to The Institute of Studio Makeup and Joe Blasco, where I took extensive classes in forensics and prosthetics.

I have been hired by several production companies this year for my special effects ability and I have created loads of free-handed tattoos, bullet wounds, burns, bruises, stab wounds, scars, zombies, etc., for many television and photography gigs! I am unable to share the details of the shoots via this blog because of protected information pertaining to my clients, but I can share with you a few pictures from my personal camera.

Many of the special effects below are created from basic, everyday material and other effects are prothetic pieces purchased from professional makeup stores and then applied to the skin and dressed with grease paint and theatrical blood.

Special effects is one part of my career and beauty is another. I am excited to be listed in the 2010 San Diego Film & Resource Guide in both categories and look forward to being part of more production crews in the upcoming year!

I want to thank DOP, San Diego Production Center, Staylor-Made Communications, Mantooth Productions, Microsoft, XBox, ComiCon, Road Runner Sports, CNN, Coastal Media Group, Bob Sloan Productions, InPoint Productions, Ken Hansen Photography, HVS Productions and Tamarisk Media Group for making 2009 a great year for makeup!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and hope to see you on the set soon!


























Sharing secrets...a day in the life of an MUA...

I am the type of professional makeup artist that likes to share my "secrets" with others! I firmly believe that if you give you will get back. When I was just starting out in this business I had a mentor who helped me along the way and would teach me not only their "secrets," but also important set etiquette.

Paying it forward is good for the soul and good for the business. I like to think that I am still learning when it comes to makeup artistry because the film and television industry changes all the time and it is my responsibility to make certain I am able to work in every medium, HD included.

New and innovative cosmetic products come out every single year and I attend many trade shows or product launch meetings in order to stay abreast of the latest brands. It is crucial as an artist to know which new (and old) products work best and should always be in your kit.

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Bob Sloan of Sloan Productions and his team during a corporate video shoot. As usual, the crew got to chatting about television tips, tricks and of course, High Definition! I shared a few of my makeup secrets for working in HD with Bob and he was kind enough to write a great post about it on his blog! Enjoy!


The Importance of Good Makeup
- by Bob Sloan of Sloan Productions


website video production san diego, san diego video, discovery channel high definition crew

Now that we’re in a high definition video production world, more attention must be paid to the quality of the makeup job and artist. High definition images have much greater resolution than our old NTSC system showing more flaws in the skin; aging, wrinkles, etc.

On a recent shoot for a corporate website video client in San Diego, our makeup artist was Melissa Street, www.EpicMakeUP.com. Melissa has been a professional makeup artist for over twenty years and has worked on feature films; Terminator, Aliens, etc. She used a product that I hadn’t seen before that helps keep facial perspiration, (sweat), from ruining the makeup job. The product is a spray that in effect “seals” the pores temporarily.

Called Skindinavia Makeup Fixing Spray, it did a great job during our shoot as we had to use heavy lighting to balance the background scene out the window of the office we were working in. Sloan productions has been producing high definition content and website video production in San Diego for over 30 years, www.sloanproductions.com.

ComiCon...a day in the life of an MUA...



Received a phone call from Microsoft asking if I would key their "making of" video and behind-the-scenes footage for the XBox Halo 3 Anime DVD. It would be shot at ComiCon in San Diego and would feature many guest speakers, including famed artists Shinji Aramaki and Mamoru Oshii.



I jumped at the chance to work for them and immediately phoned my assistant, Cathi Singh, because I had also excepted makeup work for a press junket for the movie Gamer, starring Gerard Butler, Amber Valletta and Michael C. Hall, also being shot at ComiCon during the same time. Cathi and I were able to tag team and provide total coverage for both clients!



We were also asked to provide makeup application during the live forum sessions, which Halo 3 followed Avatar and New Moon's presentations! This was challenging in the fact that there would be no professional makeup space available and no professional lightening. On the spot anti-shine would be needed and knowledge of how stage lighting would transfer onto the RED camera was crucial.



Microsoft sparred no expense in making this DVD and used only the RED One camera. This was my first experience in filming with the RED and I needed to provide my assistant with information and technique. DP and RED One camera owner, Sean Michael Johnston, schooled me on exactly how the RED works and how to use the monitor to tweak my makeup application. I was grateful to learn from this master DP and to watch him arrange lighting, camera angles, etc.

Below are a few highlight photos from ComiCon! I can't wait until next year!






IMATS - International Makeup Artist Trade Show




IMATS, the International Makeup Artist Trade Show is one of the places to be if you are a professional MUA or an aspiring MUA. Started in the 1990s, IMATS is produced by Make-Up Artist Magazine and is considered the premiere gathering for thousands of make-up artists, manufacturers and enthusiasts.



5-Time Emmy Award Winning Celebrity Makeup Artist Eve Pearl, Kevin-James Bennett of Make Up For Ever, 3-Time Oscar Winner Ve Neill, John Stapleton of MAC Cosmetics and Nolan Robert, winner of the Blush television series on LifeTime were just a few of my friends who demonstrated and lectured on techniques and the business of makeup artistry.



The show also featured Dick Smith, world-renown artist and NBC’s first makeup artist. I attended makeup classes taught by Mr. Smith back in the late 80’s and he helped shape my passion, which would eventually become a 20+ year career! Mr. Smith’s credits include The Exorcist (his most controversial job!), The Godfather, Taxi Driver and Amadeus.



Greg Cannom, the man (and the Oscar winner!) behind the incredible makeup artistry in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was also in attendance and presented a keynote address. His other credits include: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Master and Commander, The Passion of the Christ, Titanic and A Beautiful Mind.



A Panel Discussion with the special effects crew from the movie StarTrek included Barney Burman, Richie Alonzo, Steve Buscaino, Joel Harlow and Neville Page. The movie features extensive special effects makeup which enhances the character development and the panel talked about the importance of working with an incredible team in order to create one of the biggest block buster films in history!



I must also give a shout out to some of my favorite manufacturers who displayed the latest in products: Temptu, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever, Ve's Favorite Brushes and Eve Pearl. Of course, the professional MUA stores were all in attendance: Cinema Secrets,Naimies, Frends and Alcone, all of which provide essential products for the stellar artist and the novice consumer. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my dear friend, Eve Pearl whose incredible cosmetic line is now being sold through Naimies!



As you can see, the Los Angeles IMATS show attracted impressive talent! A very big thank you goes to my good friends at Make-Up Artist Magazine for press passes and VIP experience! Please enjoy the highlight photos below:




























Testing, testing, 1,2,3...a day in the life of an MUA...


When I was a young girl I hated taking tests in school. I wasn’t very good at memorizing facts or figures and I got so nervous because I knew that I was going to fail.

Little did I know that I would grow up to become a professional makeup artist constantly “testing” my abilities and products and being paid for creating beauty (or ugliness) in the television and film industry.

Testing prior to working on set is crucial. I can’t stress this enough to those of you who are students of makeup artistry and have yet to work in the fast paced environment called the makeup room!

Testing builds your speed as an artist, your confidence and you could develop a way to produce effects that no one else has discovered. The original techniques of the makeup artists that I was taught by at makeup school, honed their skills through trial and error or “testing!”

Dick Smith, creator of many characters in films such as The Exorcist, The Godfather, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Taxi Driver to name just a few, always lectured our class on the art of being prepared for “anything!”

Making sure that our kits were stocked with strange accoutrement such as thin balloons, Knox Gelatin, denture adhesive and Alka-Seltzer. It wasn’t because those things were needed for us to lighten up late night deadlines in the lab or to treat upset stomachs from all the craft service food we would inhale. It was because those particular items could rescue a makeup artist in a hurry when an unforeseen change is made and the entire crew is waiting for the makeup artist to create an effect.

For example, if a gun shot was added to a scene, an actor could easily “pop” a blood filled thin balloon secured to his/her wardrobe or fresh burn wounds could be created quickly by heating up Knox Gelatin and applying it to the skin. Denture adhesive is safe to use to stick fake teeth to real teeth and wounds that had to look infected could ooze with the help of Alka-Seltzer.

I recall one particular class where Mr. Smith taught us how to create gross teeth in a hurry. All of the students rushed off to the grocery store armed with a list that instructed us to purchase Hubba Bubba bubble gum, peanuts, and a nail file and to make a quick pit stop at the craft store for some non-toxic black paint.

The next day we sat in class looking at the “tools” we were going to use and per Mr. Smith’s instruction we spread a piece of the bubble gum inside our mouths, across our upper teeth and thinned it out slightly.

Prior to that, he had asked us to cut the peanuts in half and file them down into points or jagged sharp shapes and paint them black. Then we stuck the peanuts onto the bubble gum and finished our makeup look. At the end of the class we all took pictures of our rotten, zombie creations! How’s that for innovation?

Sometimes I have to test my skill level as an artist because I need to recreate a period of time in the past. Makeup was worn different out in the old west or during the roaring 20’s. Other times, I have to product test because I need to create a fictional character like a zombie that has peeling skin and open wounds.

It is important to find a model that will sit for you during the testing process, but I have had many people turn me down especially when it is special effects trials. They either have sensitive skin or don’t want to sit for a long period of time while I poke and prod their faces with adhesives that smell gross and products that feel funny on the face. So, I have had to be my own model many times!

Below are a few photos from a recent photo shoot that required zombie type makeup and I have included my test photos as well. Because I tested all product prior to the shoot I was able to design and recreate the look on set very quickly. Enjoy!





Creating a character...a day in the life of an MUA


As a professional makeup artist for the film and television industry I am frequently asked to help create a character. Usually this is a vision in the mind of the Director that needs to be brought to life on the big or little screen.

Collaborating with the Director, Actor, Wardrobe and Hair Department are crucial so that the viewing audience is taken on a journey along with the character and feels they can relate to every scene.

Sometimes the makeup is simple and basic or it can be as complicated as a burn victim full of permanent scars or fresh wounds. Knowing how to recreate period pieces, westerns, film noir, science fiction or special effects such as drug addict marks, prison inmate tattoos or domestic abuse bruising and injuries will test the technical ability of any makeup artist.

When I am asked to create or recreate a character, I rely on my collection of books, videos, the internet and I ask for several post production meetings to make sure that I am completely educated on the exact needs of the character. Making sure that I have a complete arsenal of face charts and/or pictures that the Director can look at and let me know if I am moving in the right or wrong direction, which I bring when attending those meetings.

Then the testing process begins and that too has its challenges. There are always several new product lines available to the makeup artist that have been recently brought to the mass market and there are old “tricks of the trade” taught by greats such as Dick Smith or Stan Winston, both of which I had the pleasure of attending several classes with and then apprenticing for after leaving Joe Blasco makeup school, that you can rely upon when facing a difficult task. Either way, testing is mandatory before stepping onto the set because it makes you prepared for what will be a very busy day that will no doubt be full of surprises.

Changes to the character sometimes happen in the makeup room and you have to be prepared for anything. A character requiring no effects makeup will endure a script change and inevitably need some blood work or tattoo work done.

Regardless of the budget, my name is going on each project so that pushes me to develop my skills and bring forth a creation that everyone can be proud off. After all, it is a team effort and being part of a good crew makes my work exciting and fun!

Below are a few photos of some of my recent work. I was called upon to freehand and airbrush many tattoos, as well as create several injuries for recent productions that shot in San Diego. Enjoy!










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