Doe Eye to Smokey

We are still on our journey through periods in history. What has made an impression on the students is that in most decades, we repeat many make-ups with a slight twist.

This is very evident when working with our 1920’s and 40’s Make-up and Hair; the 1920’s ”Doe Eye”, a term used to explain the shape of the matt eye shadow placement on the eye, has now been replaced by the ”Smokey Eye“, which is the same shape, now using frosted eye shadows and liquid eyeliner for high fashion. The best way to apply this look is to do the dark eyes first and then finish up with your make-up as normal.

This way you will have a good clean make-up with strong eyes.

Our hair work for 1940’s is the foundation for today’s hair styles, so in our hair class this week we were perfecting hot roller sets, curling irons and blow drying, completing the exercise with a classic hair style.

White, White and more White Base

As we continued through our periods in history, we were challenged by the fact that all 3 make-ups this week require a white base, each different and interesting.

18th Century, Queen Elizabeth 1 and Cirque Du Soleil, all have a different approach to their application and completed look.

White bases are difficult to work with and if you are not careful your base will be ruined with a term called “Fall Out”. When applying eye shadow the colour falls to under the eyes and this is very hard to remove, so great care is needed.

Penny gave us our first wig knotting class and showed us the importance of measuring a head for a wig or bald cap. We also learnt another way to pre-set the hair for a wig using pin curls.

ABC and AFTRS

We headed off to Channel 2 to see how a television station operates. After our lesson on Chroma Key it was interesting to show the students the importance of not using certain colours in our make-ups and to be aware that the hair doesn’t have any ‘fly-aways’, as they will stand up and make a haze around the head.

It was great to speak to the make-up artists there and get them to talk to the students about their make-up routine.

Following this was our trip to the AFTRS, to familiarize ourselves with the environment before we start to work on their short films.

We continued with our design work and focused on the film CLEOPATRA. We looked at art reference and the breakdown of the ‘Egyptian’ look - using strong gold, blue and green on the eyes and trying to achieve a realistic heavy pigmented body and face coverage, utilizing several types of bases.

Shirley, one of our overseas work experience students created this cool conceptual prosthetic sculpture.

CATS Hair & Make-up

Pre-setting their wigs for ‘CATS’.

This exercise involved choosing their wig, pinning it on to a special wig block, then using their tongs, they started to put curls into the wig. They teased and brushed the wig into the shape they required.

Finishing the task using coloured hairsprays and a REAL hair palette to give the wig some highlights and a deep mix of colours. The wig had to look interesting and exciting to match their CAT make-up and costume.

Due to the dancers sweating so much we decided to use grease bases, which were then powdered well to set them so they would not run. To get the CAT colours required, the techniques of mixing colours became relevant from previous lessons.

We are also happy that one of the students starts her first short film next week with AFTRS - so good luck Abby.

Masks with Character

Researching films, books, art and real life to create characters. Observe the world around you and draw inspiration from life.

Here is our first character “Sally Bowles” from Cabaret.

The students have started to make their Paper Mache Masks. They created sketches and did their research before moving forward. They are now working on the process of applying the paper to their mould. Your design can constantly evolve, but you always need solid groundwork to start off any project.

Hair equipment in action

Everyone was terrified of all that hair equipment but after the first lesson they are really excited about becoming confident with the tools of their trade.

On their 1^st lesson they all completed a quick and easy hair style for camera so that if they were running out of time they have the skill to make the presenter or actor feel good about their look.

Working with all our new equipment

Understanding your equipment - using every product in their kits in addition to the special make-up kits that we have at Make-up Effects Group.

Our focus was highlighting and shading effects for lip and eye shapes.

We then explored the different types of make-up bases. We used liquid bases, wet and dry bases, body washes, aqua colours, body tints and greases in neutral and in colour.

Then looking at face powders including loose, compressed and bronzers, and how to use these quickly when on set.

We have now worked with different eye shadows, greases, powders and frosts, rich colours and neutrals, seeing how each one made the eyes stand out when applied.

It is important at this early stage that the students are encouraged and shown how to work with as many of the latest products available, as this course is about working at the highest level and preparing the students as best we can for their move in the make-up industry.

Finishing off the week with sculpture. The students begin their prosthetic designs.

New Make-up Course begins

They thought that all their birthdays had come at once when they received their beautiful equipment, which included a Make-Up Kit full of great products, a full professional Hair Kit and a Stand-by Kit.

In this industry one of the most important requirements is Standby, so we are making sure all our students are well trained in this area.

Art Teacher Jane started today. Over the next few art classes we will be exploring different techniques. Painting a colour wheel, using different colours and textures with make-up. They will be shown many ways in which to mix colours to create their own skin colours, as well as altering bright colours using their Primary Bases.

Make-up Artists take on the World

After several months we are happy to say that all our graduates are working away in the industry, gaining contacts and experience along the way.

Brylan is with NIDA on Location in the Blue Mountains.

Gav in on a short film and using one of our new students as his assistant.

Chantelle is in pre-production for an up coming short film.

And Ben has been working in another workshop gaining more experience.

Congratulations to all and keep up the great work.

Here is a tutorial from Wendy De Waal:

I would like to commend the students from Makeup Effects Group Master Classes for their contribution to the making of the Feature film 'One more day'.

A co-production between AFTRS and NIDA for their 50th anniversary, where I was employed as Makeup artist and Hair designer.

They were able to take part in all aspects of the makeup department and did many special effects as required on extras playing street life, hospital patients the homeless, working girls etc. and also worked on main cast doing tattoos of varying designs and techniques. I found the students hard working, enthusiastic, talented, well trained/equipped and attentive and their contribution was much appreciated.

They were also aware of the many little tasks required of a makeup assistant that are so important eg; washing brushes, towels, cleaning/maintaining cast makeup bags, keeping up stock and supporting the senior Makeup Artists in many ways including wrapping out the makeup bus at the end of the shoot.

Special mention must be made of Brylan Stewart who was the one student to work almost everyday of the shoot from makeup call to the very end of our working day. He took initiative constantly and was a valuable member of the department, on several occasions working on second unit as the key Makeup Artist. His work ethic was exceptional and he took bravely to any given task, even if it was the first time and took criticism in a constructive and professional way, as did Chantelle Hawthorn and Gavin Kyle when they worked on their scheduled weeks.

The NIDA and AFTRS students are very grateful for the contribution made by these talented Makeup Effects Group Master Class graduates and many contacts were made among these future Filmmakers of the Australian Film and Television Industry.

Many thanks Wendy de Waal

The Students haven’t stopped working, jumping from project to project. They are all gaining invaluable experience so early after finishing their Master Classes. Congratulations everyone – you should be very proud.

Make-up Artists - Interview and Graduation

We began our last week with a look at the business side of the industry:

The role of an Agent? How to apply for a job and the interview process?

A guest make-up artist was involved in simulating the interview. After applying in writing for the job, the students prepared and presented themselves for an interview.

Graduation Day! The students exhibited all their completed work and assignments over this amazing 6 months of Master Class tuition. The exhibition was viewed by parents, family and friends who attended the Graduation Ceremony. The students have all achieved excellent results! Well done!

After the Graduation every one went out to a restaurant for dinner. In the industry this would be called a Wrap Party. A night I’m sure the students will remember as they move forward to the next phase in their careers.

On Friday the students Bump-Out of the make-up room and move onto jobs assisting Wendy De Waal, on the N.I.D.A/A.F.T.R.S (National Institute of Dramatic Art / Australian Film Television and Radio School) 50th anniversary 4 Short Films. A fantastic achievement for all!

Louise, Nick, Paul and all the tutors, wish the students the best of luck as they start their make-up careers.

M.E.G. would like to thank all our tutors for their time and commitment in sharing their craft and knowledge with the students and making the Master Classes such high quality tuition.