Steve Johnson Visits CMS!

A packed house looks on as Steve shows a clip of some of his SFX work during the open class on August 23rd.

8/23/2012

Makeup legend Steve Johnson (Videodrome, The Abyss) visited Cinema Makeup school for a wild, wide-ranging discussion of his past work, the state of the makeup industry, and the process of creating creatures and characters that impact audiences.

CMS Director of Admissions, Lee Joyner, led a lengthy Q&A punctuated by a number of clips from makeup tests and demos made at Steve's company, XFX. Steve also took questions from the audience, which was comprised of CMS students, graduates, members of the general public and at least two other legendary makeup artists: Steve Wang (Predator, Blade: Trinity) and Kevin Brennan (The Howling, American Werewolf in London, Tron: Legacy), who both worked with Steve Johnson in the past. Kevin and Steve were great additions to the class and were never shy about adding to the free-wheeling discussion from the audience.

Before and after the lecture, both Steves took some time to tour the CMS labs and offer pointers to many of the young effects artists toiling in prosthetics class. 

The result was a fun and hugely educational event; the kind that can only come together at CMS!

Steve Johnson, imparting words of wisdom during a Q&A with Lee Joyner

Steve Wang shows Ve Neill Scholarship winner Anna Cichon a thing or two about sculpting.

From L-R: Lee Joyner, Steve Wang, Steve Johnson and Kevin Brennan

Steve Johnson with the Ve Neill  Legends of Makeup Scholarship winner Anna Cichon

Steve Wang taking a look at student Melissa Jimenez's work.

Steve Wang ponders a werewolf puppet by CMS grad Alan Carnes.

Lee Joyner posing a question to Steve during the Q&A.

   

Cinema Makeup School Comic Con Roundup

It's been just over a week since the CMS team returned from a whirlwind weekend at Comic-Con 2012 in San Diego. As the dust settles, we wanted to offer a full day-by-day recap, complete with plenty of photos.

Day One - Thursday

CMS arrives on the scene and sets up as a guest of Famous Monsters of Filmland in booth #1509. The first day featured a demo by Miranda Jory working on Harry Uhlhorn. The demo, a variation on Miranda's makeup for the "Rat Family" she collaborated with Nelly Recchia on for IMATS, is a big hit greeting convention goers.

Miranda Jory at work transforming Harry Uhlhorn into the Rat.

Harry greets convention goers outside the San Diego Convention Center

Harry making friends with other costumed characters

Harry's rat makeup was very popular.

Day Two - Friday

Day Two again featured makeup applied by Miranda Jory and modeled by Harry Uhlhorn. This time, Harry was transformed into a hooded demonic fantasy figure. The action caught the attention of CMS's Comic-Con neighbor, Giorgio Tsoukalos of Ancient Aliens and internet fame. Giorgio made a habit of visiting the booth to spread cheer (and ALIENS!) all weekend.

Miranda working on Harry

Miranda and Harry with Giorgio Tsoukalos

Harry with Suicide Girls

Harry with FaceOff judges Glen Hetrick and Ve Neill.

Day Three - Saturday

A big day for the convention and CMS, Saturday featured Christine Thompson in makeup designed by Miyo Nakamura and Gilbert Tang and applied at Comic-Con by Miyo and Josh McCarron. 

The look was a huge hit, with photos showing up on EW.com and Tested (a website maintained by Mythbusters Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman), an appearance on Kassam G's highly rated YouTube show, a Twitter shout-out from celebrity astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, and viral mentions on Reddit, 9gag and other social picture sharing sites.

Josh McCarron works on applying Christine Thompson's makeup.

Josh, Miyo Nakamura, Christine, and 3-time Oscar winner Ve Neill

Christine with Bela Lugosi, Jr.

Christine, Josh, and Miyo braving the crowds

Christine in front of a display of trolls from The Hobbit

Christine with some favorites from the Star Wars prequels.

Christine in the EW lounge with actor Silas Weir Mitchell.

Christine at EW with male castmembers from Vampire Diaries.

Christine with Nina Dobrev, star of Vampire Diaries

Day Four - Sunday

On day four, artist Josh McCarron and model TJ Loza took center stage. Josh and Harry Uhlhorn worked feverishly to apply "Wicavondrakein" (a dragon/human wizard look originally designed by Josh and Wayne Anderson for IMATS LA) to TJ. The hard work paid off with a huge crowd reaction. The rest of the day, TJ had fun walking the floor in full makeup and posing with fans, closing out a hugely successful Comic-Con trip on a high note.

Josh at work on TJ Loza's makeup

Look who's back! Giorgio Tsoukalos stopped by to say "hi" to TJ.

TJ posing with the trolls from The Hobbit.

TJ poses as part of a wild fantasy tableau in another booth.

TJ and the CMS crew really captured the Comic-Con spirit.

All in all, it was a great time! We're already looking forward to next year!

CMS thanks Josh McCarron, Miyo Nakamura, Miranda Jory, Harry Uhlhorn, Christine Thompson, TJ Loza, Vicki Payne, and Becky Hawk for all their hard work at the convention.