Listen to latest CB*MA Students’ & Graduates’ Podcasts
Our latest podcast is a great conversation with Scarlett Mcpherson, a graduate from six years ago! Who would have thought!!!
We are about to embark on a new podcast section at CBMA. We are asking our graduates and students to talk to us… that’s it simply tell us how they are or what they have been up to and share it with us!
Our first is Lisa. As she said herself it was so outside her comfort zone doing this that it makes it special and honest. Do have a listen; it is an insight into someones thoughts and life. Enjoy!
And click on the arrow below to find out how our recent graduate Emmalee decided to train as a Hair & Makeup artist, why she chose CB*MA Academy, what she thought about our 4 month Hair & Makeup course and jobs she did so far, after her graduation this August.
The Art Of Aging Without Prosthetics
Many of the students who come to our Academy often cite that their great passion is “casualty” makeup or “prosthetic” make up. This is all wonderful and when they see some of our prosthetics from Christine’s films it only enhances their view.
Yet it is when they begin our Four month makeup course, they soon discover all the creative things you can do with make up and imagination only. Be it Film make up or TV makeup or Theatre makeup, there is so much scope to achieve amazing things with just a grease paint palette and some other make up such as MAC makeup.
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f we look at one of the hardest makeup looks to create, it has to be old age make up. Here at the makeup school we approach this in many of the modules. Old age make up varies between Film make up or TV makeup or Theatre makeup.
For instance, getting an actor to look 30 years his/her senior on the stage will require a completely different approach and look. The audience are, for most part, further away from the actor and secondly, they are there more for the telling of the story rather than having to be convinced of an actor looking a certain age. Remember, in Shakespearian times women were not allowed on stage and so a man dressed up to play the woman. The public knew this.
As you can see by the photograph, Helen, our student, has done a fantastic job in aging Sophie. If you look at the eye makeup it is there that the subtle colouration has made the all the difference and made the model look old.
It has taken me eleven years to fully understand what Christine means when she is “Less is More.” In all these years as director of the makeup school I did not get it, yet seeing this work I do! By understanding colour and depth and the structural shape of a face you can achieve a great aging look.
Well done for the fantastic make-up work!
Christine Blundell hands on Teaching:
There is always a wonderful air of anticipation when the students know that the Principle of this wonderful makeup school Christine Blundell is due in to teach. Even though she is a successful makeup designer, she is also very proud of her makeup academy and the incredible achievements that her graduates have to date achieved.
Christine is an incredibly talented all rounder but if push comes to shove, she would have to put her hand up and say period hair is her thing.
Luckily, that is exactly what we had asked her to do.
One cannot emphasise what it means to be taught by some with over 25yrs experience. It is not just the skill level but what I find the most warming part is her humbleness in the way she approaches teaching. She has the confidence to occasionally put her hand up to say what she lacks or is not very good at. Yet what she knows you can fill a big fat book with!
Teaching is all about inspiring the individual, getting them to a place of confidence where if they are not successful the first they will get nail the look later. It is the building up of confidence through research and preparation and of course having an excellent tutor.
I am always staggered that the majority of our students have never worked with wigs and yet after our intensive four month course they are more than capable of creating looks. What is more key for them is that they can hold their own as makeup trainees. They will know all about the wig, how it moves, its construction, blocking a wig and setting it too. And to style the wig.
This is why we create the best makeup trainees in the country. If you wish to know more about the academy, please click here for more information.
Naked Video Diaries At The Makeup School!
Starting from Monday this week, our students at the makeup academy London have begun recording their thoughts and creations as their personal short Daily video diaries. It is an idea that we have had for some time and finally we have begun during our Facial hair module.
Each student is given the iPad to talk and video whatever they choose. It is almost like a personal Makeup tutorial in the centre of London. It can be on any makeup look that they are creating or simply to chat about how they are getting on!
What I find interesting is what the students decide to talk about and video and share. These makeup videos will not be edited or changed in anyway, so that any prospective students can get the real insight into what it is like to study at CB*MA.
Here at Christine Blundell Makeup school we believe that openness and honesty are paramount, even if it is sometimes uncomfortable.
Because we have small classes, the intimacy can hopefully come through on the filming; we shall see.
One student & one story each day will be delivered for you to see our students in action, listen to them talk freely about their time at the Academy and the challenges and highlights they are experiencing with us every day.
We will be adding future stories to this same Blog address, so you can view more Video Diaries covering forthcoming modules, like Casualty, Theatre Makeup & Hair and Boot camp preparation during July and August and also Basic makeup, Period make up, Prosthetics, Basic hair cutting, Barbering & Wig Styling from September.
We only run one hair and makeup course at one time, with the maximum class size of 14 students, so each one of our students gets full attention from the Tutor and Christine. This is important to know. Unlike other establishments where there are many course of various lengths; we have perfected one. It is the Four Month Hair and makeup Course or 16 week hair and makeup course; which ever you prefer. It is not just a case of teaching the students these great skills, but also about offering makeup advice and assistance throughout the course and continuing with this support after graduation.
Click on the video below to see Philippa’s Video diary showing her work during our Facial hair week. This could be you next time!
New techniques for prosthetics and makeup at the hair and makeup London:
Everyone loves a monster or a gargoyle and we have seen our fair share of these after eleven years at the makeup school. Yet, prosthetics is not about just that. It is not just about creating something from silicone or gelatine and to make it a gruesome as possible with lots of blood; particularly if you are an aspiring hair makeup artist.
We run a two week module of prosthetics makeup. In these two weeks we need the student of hair and makeup to get to grips with a brand me makeup style; using new materials and a new approach. The devil is in the detail and having when creating something from fantasy it can have a lot of detail.
These two weeks are also a good lesson in designing makeup at a later date of course but it is a good learning curve. There is always a time frame that all hair and makeup artists need to adhere to. Do not make the design to complicated to the time scale you have. It does not look good if you do not finish on time even at the makeup academy.
What we teach at the Christine Blundell Makeup Academy is an understanding that as a makeup artist you will not be undertaking to make large pieces, but smaller scars and bullet holes as an example. Your face is life cast to begin with. It is very important to know what an actor feels when this is happening.
Once this is complete, you have a choice of what ever you wish but we encourage smaller pieces, such as eye bags or a nose or some deadly skin deceases. They will be show some makeup tricks and tips and the importance of colouring in. it is paramount to understand that the prosthetic is only as convincing as the colouring in by the makeup artist.
The best way to get a good understanding of this rather than reading it from this blog is to come to our amazing Weekend Taster Day. If you are in London on the 21st of July join us. Even if you are not in London you can still book this day. If you do not believe us read our google reviews! Click here to book your place. It is a perfect to get involved at the hair and makeup school. You will be shown how to create a slit throat or big bruises and back eyes. We are a professional makeup academy in London and accordingly you will be taught so by our professional makeup artist as if you were a full time makeup student. To find our more call us on 0207 485 4000.
A successful Change Of Career
People talk of career changes; society at large has lots to say on the subject! And do not get me started on advisers…..
Danielle graduated from Christine Blundell Makeup Academy in August 2017 and started working straight after graduation, first doing a number of wedding make-up jobs and also doing hair & makeup for a Dance company video that same month.
This was a far cry from her caring job of old. Yet she knew this was not her chosen path and after uming and arghing over which makeup academy, Danielle finally chose well and joined ours!
Danielle then started applying to various West end theatre companies and landed a job of a Department Makeup Artist on “The Lion King” musical, under Head of Wigs & Makeup Sara Tyndall. Danielle was doing character Make up for principal and ensemble actors / dancers / singers (face and body painting and straight makeup), hair prep, wig application, wig styling, wig maintenance and quick changes, quick makeup changes, side of stage assistance – makeup application and wardrobe assistance, reading and following a track sheet and assisting in daily and weekly derig / setup duties.
Danielle has in the meantime also started working on “Motown” musical, while continuing her work on “ The Lion King”.
What comes from this description of Danielle’s achievements? It is her determination, hard work and getting out there tirelessly searching for work …
It is not rocket science or an insurmountable mountain to climb…..Read the blog again and then come and join us.
What It Takes To Become A Makeup Artist?
Did you go to the IMATS 2018? Was it what you expected if it was your first time?
I managed to catch an invite via the launch of the new book “Leading Ladies of Makeup Effects” by Patricia Terry and Gary Christensen.
It features many brilliant designers and makeup artists; not just or very own Christine Blundell but the amazing Fran Hannon and Julie Dartnell. We also had the chance to meet “Montse Ribe” from Barcelona and up and coming makeup artist KC Mussman.
I will not write about Christine this time, as I am sure you have read about her already, if you are one of our avid readers.
Julie Dartnell’s career began when she got admitted into the BBC makeup department; one of 24 from 1400 applicants. Prior to this she went to evening classes to gain her A levels and then to a makeup course to learn makeup and hair.
Her many films range from her first big break in 1998 with “Shakespeare in Love” …soon many films were to follow…”Goya’s Ghost” to “Captain America” and her award winning “Les Misérables.”
We have been very fortunate to have had Julie teach hair and makeup at our Academy; she is a wonderful person and a great tutor!
The award-winning Frances Hannan has had a remarkable career and she is a phenomenally talented makeup and hair designer.
For those who can remember Fran was asked to design “The Singing Detective.” Apart from being a great TV series, it was a complicated and challenging makeup to design to create. The leading actor, one of my favourites, was Michael Gambon, who has a condition called “psoriatic arthropathy.” This is a skin disease where the skin flakes leaving sores and so for the makeup artist a very challenging project. Little did she know that this would be the start of her brilliant career. Films as diverse as “World War Z and King’s speech” followed.
We are hoping that Frances will soon be coming to have Afternoon Tea at the Makeup Academy. We shall keep you posted as to when that is.
Montse Ribe, is another amazing and award winning special effects artist who won her award on “I”. The kind of films that Montse works on are very different to the ones we spoke of above. The work has a different intensity and is far more time consuming, maybe you have to be laid back type of person for this kind of work and she certainly was very calm at IMATS when they were all being interviewed.
What I left with after listening to all the Ladies talk was a great feeling from the inspirational talk they all gave.
It was not the kind of over the top speech in American films where …”You can do anything if you try!” and yet it was. If you do wish to become a makeup artist as one of the panel said it is “Art and Attitude.” Good old fashion hard work and dedication.
If this is the field, hair and makeup for Film TV and Theatre, you wish to work in then focus on what needs to be done and then slowly and methodically begin your journey.
One key element that came out was keep your passion and stay inspired – these were comments from people who have been in the industry for many years….they still have it!!!
If you are serious about joining these great artists, the first step is to take a Hair & Makeup course. Our next course begins September 3rd and we have three places available. To find out more call us 0207 485 4000.
Christine Blundell’s interview for Reel FEEdBack with host Kevin Dawson, talking about her career as a Makeup Designer in the UK Film Industry
Christine recently gave an interview for Reel Feedback, with host Kevin Dawson, who talks to people from the music, TV and movie industries about her art and working behind the scenes and / or on screen. Kevin chats to Christine about her inspirations, her work and anything else that may come up in between.
The focus of the discussion was to get to understand not just how Christine began her Hair & Makeup career but what made her open a Makeup school for budding Makeup artists, too! Christine begins by talking about the night of the Oscar awards and how surreal it was walking past Clint Eastwood who congratulated her and someone else shouting her name to turn around and see that it was none other than “Brad Pit”!
Christine first got involved in hair & makeup when styling bands in the late ‘70s and working in salon in Kensington Market. She went on to open her own hairdressing salon, which she ran successfully for 4 years and then embarked on an intensive three-month makeup course. After completing the course, Christine worked on Phantom of the Opera doing prosthetics and went ton to work for LWT, gaining invaluable experience on sketch shows and T.V. films.
Christine talks also about balancing the Film career and the makeup school and training future Makeup & SFX Artists. She usually teachers last week of Christine Blundell Makeup Academy’s 4 month course, so called Boot camp, where future Makeup artists and trainees have the opportunity to show off all their skills and knowledge learnt on the course. One of the amazing things at the Makeup academy is that where else will you get “Tom Hardy” or “Robert Downey Junior” popping into the school. This is because Christine preps her films here. Anyway enough of this go in and listen…..click here
Latest Day Taster course at CB*MA visited by Aladdin!
What a wonderful surprise for our Weekend Day Taster Students, when Mena, who plays Aladdin in the new Guy Ritchie film with the same name, popped in with Christine. It was a great day, even without our special surprise guest arriving.
A great aspect of the Makeup school is that when Christine Blundell begins a film, she preps most of it at the Academy. This not only allows the students to get a glimpse of certain actors but more importantly, where possible, Christine shares what she is planning and how she is prepping for the Film.
We had a full house on our Taster Day course. The students this time and our Tutor who was Makeup Designer Stephanie Smith. Stephanie is not only a regular tutor running modules from Casualty to Script Breakdown and “breaking down a character, ” but also trained at the famous Hair & Makeup course herself.
Stephanie graduated almost 9 years ago and has since gone on to win a Bifta award, the Irish version of BAFTA. One of our recent graduates, Simone Philcox, who has worked as a Makeup trainee with Jane Walker (Game of Thrones Makeup Designer) and also on Christine Blundell’s latest film , Guy Ritchie’s “Aladdin” was also on hand , assisting the Tutor.
The purpose of the Day Taster Course, is for students to get an understanding of what it would feel like to attend here. Apart from learning how to create a “Smokey eye” look in the morning and then learning some Casualty techniques in the afternoon; it is to see if the Makeup School is for them and likewise if the potential student is for the Acadmey. Our next Day Taster course is on Saturday 23rd June. Click here if you would like to join us for a day of Makeup fun! (link to go to Day Taster course page)
The BAFTAs are upon us once more and our congratulations go to:
Well done to our very own Christine for being nominated in the Outstanding British Film Category for being a Makeup Designer on Paddington 2 .
– Hugh Grant For best supporting Actor in Paddington 2.
– Our Very own Tutor Daniel Philips Nominated for Makeup And Hair for Victoria And Abdul.
– Tutor Lizzie Lawson, Hair Supervisor on Blade Runner Film nominated as best film.
– Tutor Tony Stasi, Barber, working on Nominated Films Victoria and Abdul and Darkest Hour.
– Graduates: Oonagh Bagley, Flora Moody, Darkest Hour. Holly Cady for Victoria And Abdul.
– Any many more CB*MA graduates Makeup trainees & artists who worked on the other BAFTA nominated films……