Makeup Design for Film & Television Curriculum

This course provides both an historical and current context of the Make-up profession by introducing students to the many different fields within makeup artistry. Exploration of stage, film and television history, and the history of makeup art – mostly via lecture, visual imagery and film clips - will provide relevance and fluency to the lexicon of the production environment the student is about to enter. It also focuses on developing the practical research skills that students must have to be a working Make-up Artist. Other subjects covered include the development and significance of cosmetics throughout history, and the evolution of makeup artistry within 20th century Hollywood films. The effect of evolving film stocks, digital cameras, and lighting from the 20th Century is also studied through various film clips. Additionally, student makeup kit distribution will cover current product knowledge.

This course introduces the student to creating a specific character and communicating that idea through beauty makeup. They learn common glamour techniques including false lash application and ‘smoky eye’ blending, as well as more advanced fashion-based classes that allow them to creatively explore various forms of beauty and contemporary fashion.

Visual Art exposes students to color theory and technique using mediums outside of makeup application; sketching, watercolor and oil. These classes serve as the first foundation of paintwork for prosthetics. Using the mediums of oil painting and watercolor, this course encompasses the following subjects: highlight and shadow, color theory, and portraiture. Airbrushes are distributed as part of the student kits and practiced first with paper exercises before moving to makeup application on models.

Here we introduce the students to the ‘language’ of a film set and give a broader scope of the Make-up Artist’s duties, including the concept and importance of continuity. This course also serves to integrate the students with people from other departments (FILM, ACTING). Field trips to industry suppliers expands the students’ product knowledge and educates them in how to shop wisely. Students are introduced to film and television set etiquette and mechanics in preparation to participate in film shoots.

This course lays the groundwork for all future Corrective, Beauty and Glamour makeups. It introduces the students to the fundamentals of corrective application, product and equipment choices and then develops their “eye” to discern the needs of each particular performer and bring shape and form into aesthetic balance. Extensive written and visual reference materials reflecting current industry practices are supplied to students. This course familiarizes the students with the basics of facial anatomy in terms of bones and muscles. Students also develop an understanding of how to safeguard the performers’ skin.

This course introduces students to Adobe Photoshop for makeup design use. Students will gain invaluable experience with this software as it streamlines the design and approval process. Students will learn the basics of the interface and solid skills like painting on layers, creating selections, and basic color adjustment, culminating in a design assignment that features character work.

This course explores the range of makeup effects created out of the available items in a makeup kit on set, as opposed to pre-made prosthetics pieces. Students are introduced to various methods and products to re-create realistic injuries, including blood effects, bruising, tears, stained or broken teeth, scrapes, cuts, scars, burns, artificial snow and ice effects, bullet wounds, broken noses, and tattoos. They will also gain a practical understanding of continuity and the necessity of script breakdowns to map out stages of healing.

This course introduces the students to the evolution of makeup styles throughout the 20th century. These classes further refine the students’ understanding of creating “period” characters by closely examining the developmental history and influences of makeup styles. Students can apply this knowledge to meet the varying styles and expectations of the fashion industry. Black and white photography, bridal, and runway makeups are also explored.

In its most basic sense, Visual Art exposes the students to color theory and technique in mediums outside of makeup application, so that their understanding of makeup can be supported by this wider scope, and thus refined. This course encompasses the following subjects: color theory, oil painting, design charts and airbrush technique.

This course introduces the students to the basic concepts of hairstyling and gives students their first opportunity to be ‘hands-on’ with hair. Students learn the theories and techniques behind hairstyling and wig application, including hair prep and cleaning.

This course introduces advanced digital painting techniques for students to work on a creature design. Students practice additional color correction techniques to use on their portfolio photos. This course ends with a one-on-one “photo review” to see the students’ progress with makeup design, photography, lighting, and color correction.

This course educates students, through practical application, in the proper techniques for fabricating and applying successful bald caps. With this as their first “prosthetic” experience, students also refine their painting skills (including airbrushing) through a series of practical applications. Students will fabricate a supply of bald caps to use for practice and their assignments for the remainder of the term.

In this course, students use basic-to-advanced techniques to build up and apply wax facial features. They are also introduced to products and techniques used for body make-ups and body paints and learn how to discern the difference between these two genres. Students refine their painting and design skills through a series of makeup exercises, including advanced airbrushing techniques. The design and application of makeup for a fantasy beauty competition offers exciting creative exploration and a new portfolio piece.

Digital Media and Design 03 classes take place in Terms 3, 4, 5 and 6. Samples of actual working portfolios are shown and discussed in advance of students starting the preparatory work for their own portfolios. The structure of a portfolio layout and design is established as a template for students to begin construction of their 20-page books. Additional re-touching techniques are practiced within the limitation of “allowable” corrections that do not alter the integrity of the original makeup. The course completes with a portfolio panel review by 3 instructors who have graded all books. Each portfolio is then viewed in a theater, page by page, with a final critique and advice for improvements before going to the printers. Electronic copies are also created.

This course is introduced in term three and most of it is rolled out in term four. It consists of mostly practical application classes, supplemented by lectures. In it, students learn how to do life casting (making an impression of a living being using alginate and plaster) both through both lecture and practical application. They then move on to sculpting features on the life-casts in order to create something that a mold can be made of. Sculpts range from human ears and noses to large full-face character creations. Following this, students mold their sculpts, in order to create a negative mold. Molds can then be filled with liquid latex or gelatin in order to make realistic, three dimensional prosthetics appliances. This course also examines other aspects of prosthetics; the casting and creation of dental veneers, prosthetic transfers. Written and visual reference materials reflecting current industry practices are also supplied to students as they are immediately relevant to class activities. Additionally, students’ retention and knowledge will be measured and reinforced by a practical application assignment and exam, carried out at the end of term four.

This course progresses techniques for character creation to focus on facial hair, using basic to advanced techniques for preparing and hand-laying beards. This process begins by using crepe wool and then transitions to using human hair for the most realistic look. Students learn how to use hackles, beard forms, and special ovens to heat an assortment of iron tools to crimp loose hair and style a finished beard.

This course shows students how to prep hair for a wig application and how to style synthetic hair wigs. The preparation of applying bald caps for different hair lengths is also demonstrated and practiced. Hairstyling is an essential skill to add to any Make-up Artist’s repertoire, especially for non-union, independent, and low-budget film projects.

This course focuses on developing time management skills with student applications. Makeup students will join Film Production students to participate in script breakdowns, production meetings, and be on set for film shoots in Terms 3 and 4. Makeup students also have a fashion photoshoot with a professional photographer in Term 3 and must complete an assignment to research 20th Century Make-up Artists and their achievements.

Students in this course explore and practice non-prosthetic age techniques. These classes examine the physiognomy of an aging face and the products and techniques that best simulate those effects. Students are then introduced to proven theory and techniques relating to the adhering, painting, and removal of gelatin prosthetic appliances. This prepares them to make their own custom prosthetics in the “Prosthetics Construction” course.

Digital Media and Design 03 classes take place in Terms 3, 4, 5 and 6. Samples of actual working portfolios are shown and discussed in advance of students starting the preparatory work for their own portfolios. The structure of a portfolio layout and design is established as a template for students to begin construction of their 20-page books. Additional re-touching techniques are practiced within the limitation of “allowable” corrections that do not alter the integrity of the original makeup. The course completes with a portfolio panel review by 3 instructors who have graded all books. Each portfolio is then viewed in a theater, page by page, with a final critique and advice for improvements before going to the printers. Electronic copies are also created.

After an introductory presentation and live show and tell with sculptures, molds, and various prosthetics, students learn how to do life casting (making an impression of a living being using alginate and plaster). They then begin sculpting classes to create features on the life-casts, such as noses and ears, to create a negative mould of their final sculpt. The moulds are then run with gelatin to create realistic prosthetic features, which are applied and painted. The final project of the term is creating a large, full-face prosthetic character.

This course focuses on developing time management skills with student applications. Makeup students will join Film Production students to participate in script breakdowns, production meetings, and be on set for film shoots in Terms 3 and 4. Makeup students also have a fashion photoshoot with a professional photographer in Term 3 and must complete an assignment to research 20th Century Make-up Artists and their achievements.

Many artists use “slip” or dwell-molded latex masks to create detailed, inexpensive versions of animatronics masks or foam latex appliance makeups. These masks also have a practical application for stunt doubles. This course teaches students all the steps necessary to create a full-head latex mask or display bust. Students develop their sculpting, mould-making, and painting skills, and learn other techniques, such as hair punching.

This course highlights the importance of foam latex in the realm of prosthetic makeups, being a reliable material and an industry standard since the 1930’s. Students are introduced to the chemical components and mixing procedures, as well as how to bake (cure) foam latex in a special oven. They learn how to make acrylic adhesive paint mixtures and how those are applied and removed. Building towards their Term Five practical exam, students will design, sculpt, mould, and run these moulds with foam latex to make prosthetic appliances, resulting in a fantastical character application.

This course is specifically intended to further develop students’ abilities to prep, apply, and style wigs. Students will become familiar with the care and application of film quality human hair and hand-tied wigs with lace fronts. They will learn to block, style, and apply hand-tied lace front wigs, which adds a new element to their portfolios, alongside makeup application.

In this course, students are introduced to silicone; a versatile material that can be used in various forms of casting, molding, and fabricated prosthetics. Partial face casts using silicone will be made so students can create a nose positive, sculpt a different character nose, and ultimately create a silicone nose prosthetic. They will learn to mix silicone moulding components to create negative moulds for the bondo prosthetic transfers they sculpt. Students will learn how to create the formulas, prep moulds, and run silicone to produce an encapsulated, gel-filled prosthetic nose that they will apply. The students will further hone and refine their sculpting, painting, and application skills with this unique material as they build an entire character around this piece.

Digital Media and Design 03 classes take place in Terms 3, 4, 5 and 6. Samples of actual working portfolios are shown and discussed in advance of students starting the preparatory work for their own portfolios. The structure of a portfolio layout and design is established as a template for students to begin construction of their 20-page books. Additional re-touching techniques are practiced within the limitation of “allowable” corrections that do not alter the integrity of the original makeup. The course completes with a portfolio panel review by 3 instructors who have graded all books. Each portfolio is then viewed in a theater, page by page, with a final critique and advice for improvements before going to the printers. Electronic copies are also created.

Pre-made facial hair pieces, such as false moustaches, beards, and other pieces, are hand-tied to film grade lace. In this course, students will learn the proper technique for measuring the face to ensure a custom fit, knotting the hair onto the lace (ventilating), and the techniques for blocking, trimming, perming, dressing, applying, removing, and cleaning the pieces they create.

This course provides a series of Portfolio Labs, where students complete their final makeup applications required for grading, in addition to other work. These finished makeups are photographed, color corrected, and edited, so students can assemble their best work into photoshop page layouts. Their portfolios, both printed and electronic, are then graded. 

In this course, students are tasked with creating a complete budget and proposal for their choice of a final portfolio project they will be graded on. This project can include: a prosthetic makeup, mask, display bust, fantasy competition makeup, or the creation of a full, knotted, lace beard of their own creation. The majority of the course time is devoted to the creation of this project.

These are the final classes that provide students with critical information on how to approach the industry, discussing resumes, interviews, union entrance, negotiating contracts, and more. There are also special classes where a working VFS alumni addresses the class to provide insight and discuss their recent experience entering the industry. In addition to the film industry, students learn the massive range of employment options for Make-Up Artists, such as retail, weddings, and fashion.

This course examines other aspects of prosthetics, including casting teeth, the creation of dental veneers, and sculpting and moulding prosthetic (bondo) transfers. This work expands students’ knowledge of alternative casting and moulding materials.

Silicone introduces the student to this versatile material that can be used in various forms for casting, molding and fabricated prosthetics. Partial face casts using silicone will be done so students can create a nose cast on which they sculpt a different character nose. They will also use silicone to create negative molds for the bondo prosthetics they sculpt. Eventually, students will learn the formulas and how to run silicone to produce an encapsulated, gel filled prosthetic nose that they will apply. The students will further hone and refine their sculpting, painting and application skills.

Digital Media and Design 03 classes take place in Terms 3, 4, 5 and 6. Samples of actual working portfolios are shown and discussed in advance of students starting the preparatory work for their own portfolios. The structure of a portfolio layout and design is established as a template for students to begin construction of their 20-page books. Additional re-touching techniques are practiced within the limitation of “allowable” corrections that do not alter the integrity of the original makeup. The course completes with a portfolio panel review by 3 instructors who have graded all books. Each portfolio is then viewed in a theater, page by page, with a final critique and advice for improvements before going to the printers. Electronic copies are also created.