Take Your Cosplay to The Next Level! Don't Miss CMS's Latest Scholarship Contest!

Competition is heating up in Cinema Makeup School’s NextLevel of Cosplay Scholarship! This is an excellent opportunity for costumers and makeup artists to prove they’ve got the skills to create exciting and fantastical characters. Who doesn’t love recreating their favorite characters from TV, film, and/or print?! By simply following your passion, you would be in the running to win a piece of over $20,000 in scholarship money to attend Cinema Makeup School as well as a six month paid internship. Opportunity is knocking!

Not only that, but your work will be personally reviewed by our celebrity judges. Judge Yaya Han is one of the biggest names in cosplay and a star of Syfy Channel’s Heroes of Cosplay. Joel Harlow is an Oscar and Emmy-winning makeup artist most noted for his work with Johnny Depp and films such as the Pirates of the Caribbean series, The Lone Ranger, And Transcendence. Joel just received his second Oscar nomination this year! Leonard Engelman, who has an incredible legacy in makeup artistry, recently became the first makeup artist ever elected vice president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. And Michael Key is a prolific makeup artist with a background in Sci-fi special effects which has earned him two Emmy Awards. Michael is also editor-in-chief of Make-up Artist magazine, one of the most-read trade publications in the makeup world. These four dynamic artists will work with CMS directors Lee Joyner and Michael Spatola. Lee is a master sculptor and award-winning concept artist with credits including Godzilla, Stargate SG-1 and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Michael is the author of acclaimed monster makeup text The Monstrous Makeup Manual, vol. 1&2 and a multiple Emmy nominee who has worked on blockbusters like Terminator 2 and Iron Man 3. Once our all-star judges pick their favorites as finalists, they will turn it over to a public vote for the final winner.

It is simple to enter. Upload a video (3 minutes max.) to YouTube with the title "Cinema Makeup School's The Next Level of Cosplay [YOUR NAME]" showing off your expertly crafted character of choice.  Be as creative as you want! Then go to www.cinemamakeup.com/cosplay to fill out an entry form or send a link to your video along with any portfolio images or additional materials you'd like to be considered to scholarship@cinemamakeup.com. All entries are due by March 31^st, 2014.

Comic-Con Scholarship Winner Jake Webber Visits CMS to Share His Inspirational Story

Jake poses with CMS grad Wayne Anderson and Wayne's booth demo "Draxian."

Comic-Con’s “International Masquerade contest, presented by HBO, is one of the annual convention’s most-attended events. This year, Cinema Makeup School joined the masquerade tradition, presenting a $1,000 scholarship for tuition to the costume entry that demonstrated the best use of makeup.

High School student, Jake Weber, was chosen as the winner for his wolf-bat costume. Jake visited Cinema Makeup School recently to tour the facilities and meet with CMS instructors and directors to learn about the school firsthand.

Jake’s curiosity for makeup began at an early age. Jake says that his first exposure to special effects makeup came by way of his late Father.

“My dad used to do a lot of creature special effects makeup and he did some on me and for Comic-Con. He has made me Davey Jones, Ghost Rider, Bumble Bee, Avatar, and Spawn. He also did low budget B movie stuff. I was always around that. I would see him pumping fake blood on the patio and I was always curious and asked what he was doing.”

Jake credits legendary effects artists Patrick Tatopoulos and Rick Baker as his biggest influences and is a true fan of the artists and their work.

“I’ve met Rick [Baker] four or five times now. He’s the coolest guy. Every time it just gets cooler and cooler. When he won the Oscar for Wolfman, they had the beauty [makeup] going on and then there was Wolfman. When they announced him as the winner, my dad and I went wild! An actual creature won an Oscar. It’s been awhile.”

Jake remains very humble and says he was shocked when he was announced the winner.

“When they were going to present the award to me, they don’t tell you what you win but just tell you that you won something. And when they announced the award, I was practically crying. I thought this was awesome!”

Jake says his main passions are special effects artistry and acting. He hopes to one day work in both industries, and enjoys performing in his own makeup.

Since Jake’s father passed away, doing makeup has taken on even more meaning. This past Halloween, he used his dad’s old makeup kit to turn himself into a zombie. For Comic Con, Jake took on the entire masquerade project by himself for the first time. Jake says it was important to him to keep up the tradition of creating makeup for Comic Con to honor his father’s memory.

With the big win, Jake’s ambitions will get a boost in the form of a world-class makeup education. Jake plans on using the scholarship money to take CMS’s Creature Maquette Sculpture course in the near future to help develop his design skills and learn sculpting techniques for future projects.

Korean Artist Exhibition by Artist Ji-Heui Kim Coming to CMS Gallery next week!

July 8-12

IN A STARRY NIGHT

by Ji-Heui Kim

Professor, Department of Fashion and Communication Design

A visiting designer from Daegu Haany University in Korea shares beautiful nail artwork.

Open to the public from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Korean Artist Exhibition by Artist Kyung Hai Min Coming to CMS Gallery next week!

July 1-4

PATTERN & UNIFORM

by Kyung-Hae Min

Professor, Department of Fashion and Communication Design

A visiting designer from Daegu Haany University in Korea shares his fashion talents with the world.

Open to the public from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

And the Winner is...

Angie Davis, winner of the 2013 Ve Neill Scholarship

Cinema Makeup School, Hollywood’s professional makeup school is once again partnering with three-time Oscar-winning makeup artist Ve Neill and Fangoria magazine to award its $10,000 Legends of Makeup Scholarship. After a lengthy submission process and review by top makeup artists include Ve herself, we’re proud to announce that this year’s award goes to Angie Davis of Advance, NC.

Angie wowed a scholarship panel that included Leonard Engelman, Governor of the Makeup and Hair Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; CMS Director of Admissions, Lee Joyner; CMS Chief Academic Officer, Michael Spatola; and esteemed representatives from the CMS faculty to become a finalist. Davis’s portfolio, which showcased her highly developed painting skills and showed potential for growth into other areas of makeup then caught Ve Neill’s discerning eye. Ve chose her entry from a strong pool of finalists, praising Angie’s painting and potential.

“I chose [Angie] for her basic painting skills and I know [she’ll] excel at CMS,” said Ve.

[Some of Angie's work:]

 

As in years past, four other finalists whose work stood out to the committee will be awarded $1,000 scholarships. The four runners up are Chrissy Bautista of Commerce, California, who submitted a dazzling fine art sculpture portfolio; Benjamin Ploughman, who has a great deal of set experience from working in all departments on indie films in his native Austin, Texas; Elia Cattanese of Malibu, California, who overcame a troubled upbringing on the East Coast to become a creative young artist with a much more stable home life out west; and Anthony Latony of St. Cloud, Florida whose submissions showed a great deal of potential as a creature designer. All four have been invited to attend classes along with Angie at CMS’s Los Angeles campus.

[Work from the runners-up:]

Ben Ploughman

Anthony Latony

Elia Cattanese

Chrissy Bautista

As excitement from the big announcement lingers in the halls here at CMS, all eyes turn to next year’s competition. Ve Neill will once again return to chair the scholarship committee, and hundreds of aspiring makeup artists will get to put their work on the line for the chance to win.

As for the staff and students here at CMS, we simply can’t wait to meet this year’s winner and finalists. If their portfolios and personal triumphs thus far are any indication of their collective talent and drive, we’re sure that all of them will be valuable additions to the CMS family!

For Angie, the journey can’t begin soon enough:

“As a self taught makeup artist I feel this scholarship will help me grow further than I ever could on my own. Cinema Makeup School produces incredible work and I know I will benefit immensely from their program. I am very grateful to Ve Neill, Fangoria Magazine and Cinema Makeup School for this opportunity. Makeup Artistry is my passion and I am extremely excited to learn from the best.”

To apply for the 2014 Scholarship go to: http://cinemamakeup.com/scholarship/scholarship-veneill.html

2013 Ve Neill Scholarship Panel Meet, Choose Finalists

Panelists (L-R) Kato DeStefan, Lee Joyner, Michael Spatola,
Leonard Engelman, and Wendy Ann Rosen reviewed
hundreds of submissions.

A panel of top makeup talent converged on the Cinema Makeup School campus Wednesday to review submissions for the second annual Ve Neill Legends of Makeup Scholarship. The $10,000 scholarship is presented by CMS and Fangoria magazine and awards one deserving young artist with the chance to study the makeup arts at the highest level.

The panel—composed of instructors Kevin Brennan, Kato DeStefan and Wendy Ann Rosen; Chief Academic Officer, Michael Spatola; Director of Admissions, Lee Joyner; and Leonard Engelman, Governor of the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—was charged with the tough task of combing through hundreds of applicants to select a pool of finalists.  The members of the panel took the time to discuss each submission in depth, considering not only raw talent, but also drive, ambition, and passion for the art of makeup.

The group will meet once more with the addition of the scholarship’s namesake, three-time Academy Award® winner and Face Off judge, Ve Neill (Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Hunger Games), to select the winner of the scholarship. Until then, the buzz in the CMS hallways will continue building, as students, faculty and staff wait for the official announcement.

Who will it be? Check back here and be among the first to find out! 

Wendy Ann Rosen, Kevin Brennan, and Leonard Engelman 
(foreground, L-R) carefully consider an applicant’s work.

CMS Shines at L.A. Fashion Week

The CMS team (L-R): Mo Meinhart, Golden Shyne, KC Mussman,
Mirelle Bertrand, Tara Daniels, Curtis Foreman, and Sherita Garcia

L.A Fashion Week Fall kicked off March 8th, with the LAFC (Los Angeles Fashion Council) presentations, hosted by founder Kelsi Smith.

Cinema Makeup School beauty makeup instructor (and resident fashionista) Mireille Bertrand brought a team of CMS graduates backstage last Thursday and Friday to provide hair and makeup looks for LA’s hottestup-and-coming designers.

Two days of runway, six designers, a couple dozen models and seven makeup artists all set up on one over-taxed table. The pace was fast and demanding but the CMS team of artists was ready for the heat. Collaboration and flexibility were key as the makeup artists had to work together in an array of different styles tailored to each designer’s line.

In the heart of the Fashion District, bloggers, buyers and press crowded in to see the first day’s showcases:

“ISM Mode” was all about organic flow and shapes. The makeup requested by designer Inka Sherman was elegant with sultry eye shadows and dark pulp lips.

“Sarine Marie” by Sarine Berberian featured ladylike silhouettes, combining elegant looks with edgy, feminine elements. Hot red lips and soft natural shadows really brought out the chic sophistication in every ensemble.

Day two brought a trio of brilliant designers that inspired and challenged the CMS artists.

Camilla Wright from “SOLDAT” designed an impressive pattern storm of edgy eco suits and separates. The collection required makeup that put the “fun” in corporate—a tough task, indeed!

 “Be daring, be free, be true to you” was the motto driving “8000 Nerves,” a line designed by four fun-loving girls. They asked for a modern, joyous look that incorporated a sense of contemporary sophistication. The makeup team found that sophistication in dark dramatic smoky eyes and a nude lip that complimented the fresh designs.

Finally, “ODYLYN” challenged our makeup artists to think future to create a glowing, celestial look to equal the collection’s galactic gowns.  Shimmering dewy skin and pearly lips turned this show’s models into alien princesses.

At the end of the day, the teams packed up and headed home, exhausted, but very content .

CMS grad Curtis Foreman summed up the experience neatly: “It was a great day, great vibes and a great team to work with.”

CMS Hosts Theater Students from Arizona

Students touring the CMS campus

There was high drama at Cinema Makeup School on Thursday as a group of theater students from Scottsdale, Arizona descended on the campus for an introduction to special effects makeup.

After touring the school and seeing  CMS classes in action, the students settled into a large classroom to watch a live make up demo by CMS’s CAO and lead instructor Mike Spatola (Iron Man 3, Terminator 2: Judgment Day).

“The students were very enthusiastic,” said Mike. “They were very into it. They knew about [SyFy network’s makeup reality show] Faceoff, asked many questions and were eager to volunteer.” 

Mike applied his demonstration on intern Nestor Castaneda, using generic silicone zombie wound pieces. “[The pieces] looked to me like they would be perfect for a ‘Joker’ makeup. The way the wounds curled up, they looked like the scars.”

The makeup was done with grease paints to give the Joker a gritty look and then completed with alcohol colors to bring out the fleshy scars. Throughout the application, the students were encouraged to ask questions.

Said Mike, “They had many good questions to ask. Some were interested in my experiences with actors and some very curious to the materials of the trade, like what products where used and if the appliances were heavy or comfortable. It was a fun group demo. I got to disappear and get caught up in it.”

Afterwards, the students got a chance to take photos with Mike and the new CMS Joker before they called it a day.

"Eve'ning comisssshioner!"
Nestor Castaneda in Joker makeup
with CAO/Chief Instructor Mike Spatola

"Why so serious?"