Skin Care & Wig Knotting

We started the week with an intensive examination of ‘lips- luscious lips’ by Louise! We completed a full make-up with special emphasis on defining shape and correcting lip lines. Out in the workshop our sculptures that we are creating to make prosthetic masks are taking shape.

We took a comprehensive look at the various types of foundations that can be used for stage, film and High Definition TV. We investigated different brands, colours, textures and discovered how to select certain shades to correct colour imbalances.

The afternoon saw us busy with the guest beauty therapist Liane, who outlined the different skin types and the products needed for their care and maintenance. It's obviously very important to understand the different skin types, skin textures and skin conditions. What goes on must come off!! So we then learnt the correct way to remove all our handy work.

The art of wig knotting was taught to us by Penny, a professional wig maker who showed us how to create our own facial hair-pieces such as moustaches, sideburns and eyebrows. It's quite tricky as each hair is individually knotted with a wig-knotting hook through a fine lace backing.

It has been an intensive and enjoyable week, full of new experiences!

Jacinta Christos - Student

Hair, Make-up & Sculpting

Week two into our course has been interesting and exciting.

We had our first hair class with Tanya, instructing us on how to shampoo, condition and give a great head message. We completed the day learning how to do different hairstyles.

Next in the make-up chair was eye shapes with highlighting, shading and blending, and designing some fun colorful looks on the eyes and face.

We spent time in the workshop with Nick and Paul, sculpting and bringing to life the character designs we had selected. It was the first time sculpting for many of us. We all found the process to be therapeutic and creative.

All six ladies are enjoying this wonderful new experience.

Jennifer Kuehn - Student

First Class of 2010

Six ladies from varied backgrounds thrown together to embark on a five month journey in the pursuit of careers as make-up artists…

Initial make-up tasks were met with an air of excitement and apprehension, but given extensive personal guidance and coaching from Louise, we gained confidence in leaps and bounds!

Jayne’s art class was daunting for some, but the small class size meant plenty of one on one attention and support and the class steamed ahead.

The make-up and hair kits are amazingly comprehensive with nothing overlooked and each day brings the promise of new experimenting and learning which we eagerly await!

Polly McKay - Student

Graduation and A New Career

After an exhausting week of exams we all sat down and worked through some of the business and presentation side of the industry. We designed letterheads, C.V layouts, business cards and chose photos for portfolios.

The students had to dress the part for the Job Interview Session. They brought in their hair and make-up kits and experienced their first taste of applying for a job.

We next had an accountant come and talk about tax, superannuation and setting up a business. A great deal to think about, but very important to start this next part of the journey the correct way.

The students have been involved in short films with the AFTRS and have commenced the beginnings of a solid portfolio that reflects the great work they have done throughout the course.

Graduation was attended by family, friends and the Master Class Tutors. An exhibition of the students work was displayed at the studio. To see how much solid work they had completed in these 6 months was astounding and we all feel very proud.

GOOD LUCK to everyone…

Revision and Body Art

In revision mode for the upcoming exams - discussing schedule and requirements, pre-setting wigs for selected make-ups and focusing each of the students for the busy couple of weeks ahead.

Moving onto Body Art - our models arrived not quite sure what was about to happen to them. Fiona our tutor was very helpful and made the models feel at ease by telling them about the body art process. Fiona then worked with each student, talking about the body art designs they had selected, plus any costume, wigs or hair-styles, they were going to incorporate into their final looks.
The students did free hand drawing instead of stencils or stamps, feeling the need to create the design from start to finish as they tried all the different products to produce their fantastic work. The day was long but the results were very rewarding for everyone. Thanks to Christina, Sam, Ryan and Fiona, it was a creative and inspiring day.

A great way to finish before the exams!

Continuity and Art Work Assignments

We moved into completing our Continuity exercise with our models becoming the characters from each of our scripts. The technical task of documenting all the make-ups began by taking photo reference of each of the models and creating make-up charts. The photo reference and make-up charts linked together to ‘tell the story’ of how the make-ups and hair-styles changed through-out the script. The students realized how important this exercise was and an invaluable part of the process for any make-up artist to keep on top of, during the hectic process of a film production.

Major Art Work assignments were handed in. Each of the students created some amazing pieces and each of their distinct styles were evident. Congratulations all.

With the mould-making process now complete, all of the techniques used in preparing the sculptures for mould-making were clearly understood when the students could see the final results in front of them. Ready for the Foam Latex runs and the generation of the Foam Latex Prosthetics.

We are now in revision mode as we start exams next week.

Script Continuity. Hair Class. Mould-Making

This week the students were given their film scripts to read and break down. This is a creative and logistical process to understand the story and how to go about executing the Director’s vision. In our particular area, this is where the make-up artist is able to bring to the table all their skills in discussing character and design, and working out what is the best way to bring the most to the story, within all the budgetary and time constraints surrounding the particular project. The make-up artists notes and ideas are crucial in trying to keep everything on-track, and in balance with all the other departments. As you map out all your make-up requirements in the script, you have to start to keep a detailed ‘Continuity’ of all these requirements as the story evolves.

We would also like to thank Tanya for all the wonderful Hair classes she conducted and all the important skills and confidence she instilled in the students.

Back in the workshop and the students prepped their sculptures for mould-making - learning intricate techniques and understanding the materials they were using to prepare their sculptures for a fibre-glass mould. Well done to everyone – they tackled the lesson very well, as none of them had ever done anything like this before.