A year in review...
Sharing secrets...a day in the life of an MUA...
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.
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!