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Friday, November 16, 2012

Meet the WeHo Makeup Stars of Syfy’s TV Show “Face Off” (from WeHoville)


Nov 16, 2012 | By Christine Detz, Contributor
Syfy Face Off

Ever watch a movie or TV show and wonder: Who was the genius behind that impressive makeup job? Well, it might just be your neighbor.
A West Hollywood resident has been featured on each of the last two seasons of Syfy Channel’s“Face Off,” a special effects makeup competition where models are transformed into elaborate, exotic creatures at the hand of prosthetic makeup artists.
Two of those artists, Tara Lang and Rod Maxwell, represented the Creative City in seasons two and three of the hit show, respectively, and took us inside their creative worlds. Within a matter of hours, Lang transformed our own model into a maniacal rabbit.
Each makeup artist approaches a creation differently — but for both it can often be a long, arduous process.
“I really like drawing inspiration from the person’s face,” Lang said. “I like reading scripts and bringing directors’ thoughts to life. If I can’t make my own pieces, I like combining generics to see what I can come up with.”
The most ambitious project of Maxwell’s life, and his crowning achievement, was his short film “The Wishing Well” (2005), in which he wrote, directed and played every role, creating and applying prosthetics and fat suits without any assistance.
“When I create a prosthetic makeup, I like to take time, do research, let the creative process take place,” Maxwell said. “When I created the prosthetics for ‘The Wishing Well’ it sometimes took weeks for me to design a single makeup.”
That’s what makes the Face Off experience such a challenge. Contestants are given up to three days to develop and execute a makeup based on a set of character guidelines. They build molds to create the prosthetic pieces, design the costumes and apply the makeup.  Contestants are judged by a panel of experts, with the week’s weakest contestant sent packing.
Both Maxwell and Lang were eliminated in the seventh week, and then were invited back to assist the remaining contestants on the final task.
Originally, both needed convincing just to audition for the show.
“In all truth, I almost didn’t do it,” Maxwell said.  “My friends kept telling me to apply, I even got a call from a friend’s little 5-year-old explaining how and why he thought I should be on the show. But the challenges and time limitations on Face Off looked insanely difficult. I didn’t think I could do it.”
A chance meeting with a friend of a friend provided the final push he needed. Maxwell submitted an audition video just before the deadline.
Lang considered applying to be a contestant on the first season but was hired to do another job at the time. She vowed to friends she would audition for the second season if she did not have anything booked.
It was a big leap for Lang, who first moved to California to study business law at Loyola Marymount University, before enrolling at Cinema Makeup School, in Hollywood.
Before her unique career took off, Lang figured she’d do beauty makeup.
“When I went to makeup school they had a special effects class and I thought I might as well give it a try,” Lang said.
Lately, she’s been doing a lot of character makeup — in short, anything that chances the appearance of an actor for the big screen, like adding a beard or altering teeth.
“The new Lincoln movie is a good example. That makeup is amazing and I’m really excited to see it,” she said.
Maxwell, on the other hand, can trace his makeup aspirations back to an early age.
“My very first makeup was Quasimodo that I made from Dick Smith’s monster makeup kit in 5th grade. The kit came with little plastic molds that you could pour melted gelatin into, cool, powder, and apply to your face,” he said. “Although monster makeups were fun, it was really disguise makeups that drew me into the world of special effects makeup.”
“The List of Adrian Messenger” and the “Mission Impossible” television series were early inspirations.
As for their own favorite designs? It’s like asking a parent to name a favorite child. Enough prodding got them to fess up.
For Lang, it was one of her Face Off creations.
“One of my favorite makeups I’ve ever done would have to be the scarecrow,” she said.
“I’d have to say my film ‘The Wishing Well,’ Maxwell said. “It has a little bit of everything I’ve loved working on over the years including prosthetic makeup, visual effects, acting, writing, directing, photography and video game production.”
Both of the makeup artists say appearing on Face Off has opened career doors. Lang has worked on some feature films since competing, and on another Syfy series called “Hot Set.”
“I’ve been fortunate to have a bunch of opportunities come my way thanks to the show,” Maxwell said. “One of the most rewarding so far has been my participation in (the) truth’s tobacco awareness campaign.”
Both agree Face Off was among the best experiences of their lives.
For Lang, it’s given her a new confidence.
“I’d like a nomination of some kind,” she admitted.  “It doesn’t have to be an Academy Award, but some kind of makeup award would be the goal.”
Syfy Face Off scarecrow

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Prepping for Halloween, CMS Style, with Pumpkin Master Ben Peter!




Cinema Makeup School student Ben Peter, who took over a classroom to teach a special one-night seminar October 4, puts a lot of thought into the pumpkins he carves for Halloween. That’s because Ben’s pumpkin carvings aren’t your ordinary Jack-o-lanterns.

pumpkin carving by Ben Peter
Ben uses precise sculpting tools and a reductive shaping technique similar to that used to carve wood or stone and applies it to pumpkins. The result: detailed 3d images with features like realistic eyes, teeth and wrinkles.

For a small lab fee, Ben provided students with a pumpkin and a set of basic carving tools and instructed them on the basics of his method, from how to select the right pumpkin to carve (knock on the side and listen to gauge the thickness) to how to properly shape and round out facial contours and teeth.

another of Ben's past works
Ben’s students—many of whom are normally his classmates at CMS—were generally surprised at the challenges of sculpting on Pumpkins. All walked away with a new appreciation for how difficult and delicate Ben’s work is.

Check out some photos from Ben’s class below!


Students hard at work as they begin to shape their pumpkins

Sculpting on pumpkin can be frustrating... 

...but oh so rewarding!


At the end of the night, students posed with their pumpkins, and many said they now plan to attempt even more realistic pumpkin carvings before Halloween with the skills they learned!

Happy October!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

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 (VideodromeThe 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.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Special Makeup FX Legend Neill Gorton Visits Cinema Makeup School!


SFX legend Neill Gorton and CMS student Victoria Goldberg

Being Human, Torchwood, Children of Men, Judge Dredd, Doctor Who…what do they have in common? Besides being beloved classics (or inexplicable Sly Stallone adaptations of beloved classics) of British science fiction, all also feature the special makeup effects work of one man: four time BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts)  and RTS (Royal Television Society) award winner Neill Gorton.

Gorton, in Los Angeles for IMATS over the weekend, decided to pay a visit to CMS to check out the state of the art facilities.  He toured the campus with Director of Admissions Lee Joyner and offered his thoughts to some lucky students and grads working in the labs.

Gorton owns and operates Millennium FX  Ltd. out of Chesham, England. His work goes well beyond science fiction including projects as diverse (yet universally loved) as Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan and the raucous Little Britain sketch comedy show. But for many fans, he will always be associated with science fiction and his iconic work on over 40 episodes of long-running cult BBC show, Doctor Who, spanning the years 2005 to 2010.

Here at CMS, Gorton’s visit has left us with a mix of emotions: incredibly happy we got the chance to spend some time with him, somewhat surprised that he chooses to travel by car and not TARDIS, a bit worried that any one of us might inspire his next brilliantly grotesque Little Britain character, thankful for the wisdom and knowledge he shared while touring the labs, andmost of allrelieved that he didn’t bring the Daleks. 

Thank you, Neill!

Neill with CMS student and Doctor Who fan Kelby LeNorman.

Lee Joyner shows Neill around the FX labs.

Neill discusses a werewolf suit job with CMS grad Alan Carnes

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Ve Neill Scholarship: The Results Are In!

Makeup Legend Ve Neill and CMS Director of Admissions Lee Joyner review materials
After long deliberation and input from a panel of top makeup professionals and instructors, Cinema Makeup School—the premiere makeup training institution in the world—and Fangoria magazine have chosen Anna Cichon, a Polish national living in London, England, to receive their  $10,000 Legends of Makeup Scholarship.

This year’s prize was named for Ve Neill, a three-time Academy Award winner and eight-time nominee. Ve’s work appears in such films as Beetlejuice, Mrs. Doubtfire, Edward Scissorhands, The Pirates of the Caribbean series, and The Hunger Games, and she regularly appears as a judge on SyFy Network’s FaceOff. Ve herself selected Anna from a pool of finalists.

“I’m very excited and honored to be a part of the Legends of Makeup Scholarship,” said Ve. “And I would like to congratulate Anna and applaud her beautiful work.”

To make the finalist pool, Anna’s work was selected from submissions from all over the world by a panel of top makeup artists and CMS instructors.

“We had such a hard time choosing the winner of the Legends of Makeup Scholarship this year,” said Lee Joyner, Director of Admissions at CMS and a panelist. “There was a large amount of fantastic applications from around the world. It’s always hard finding the final winner, and Ve and the Scholarship Panel thought long and hard on this difficult choice.”

Still, Anna’s work managed to stand out.

“Dedication and passion for the art of makeup and all of its facets are two of the main attributes of a fine artist,” said Leonard Engelman, the Governor of the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch of AMPAS, who chaired the panel. “[Anna] obviously has both of these.”

Panelists hard at work (L-R): Kevin Brennan, Craig Reardon, Lee Joyner, Mike Spatola and Leonard Engelman


Anna (pronounced Ahn-YA) originally hails from Poland. That is where she began pursuing makeup work five years ago before moving to London in 2011 to try to break into the British film industry. In her young career, Anna has already had work featured in Makeup Artist Magazine and assisted on multiple feature films. Anna plans to use the scholarship to attend CMS’s Master Makeup Program and take advanced courses to expand her already impressive skill set.  

The other finalists will not be walking away empty-handed. Due to the quality of the work submitted, CMS has decided to extend three additional $1,000 scholarship offers to Angela Davis (Advance, NC), Margaret Caragan (Oakland, CA) and Lakey Yonglei (Shanghai, China).

Next time you see Anna, she’ll be at the School’s booth at Pasadena IMATS alongside her CMS classmates and instructors.

“Utilizing our state-of-the-art curriculum, [Anna] will be immersed in a world of advanced training and one-of-a-kind networking,” said Lee. “We’re excited to have her here at CMS.”

Speaking to Anna, Ve continued to offer the young artist praise. “You have a great start on being a top-notch makeup artist across the board. We all look forward to seeing your progress.”

While Anna celebrates her achievement, all eyes will turn to next year’s scholarship contest. Ve Neill will again lend her name and expertise to the 2013 award and competition is sure to be stiffer than ever.

For Anna, however, the journey is just beginning. “Cinema Makeup School will be life-changing to me...I need to learn more to keep up with the competition and pursue a career working with something my heart beats for.”

We’re excited for you, Anna! Check below for some images of Anna's winning work.