Colleges for Special Effects Makeup

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for makeup artists for the theater and other performance venues like film and television will increase by 17 percent from 2008 through 2018. Competition for jobs will likely be high, making post-secondary education typically necessary to obtain employment in the field. A number of schools throughout the United States offer courses in special effects makeup, which teach students techniques to use prosthetic devices and other types of cosmetics to create realistic-looking characters.
  1. Cinema Makeup School

    • The Cinema Makeup School is a private institution based in Los Angeles. The college offers an 18-week professional makeup artistry course for students who have no previous educational experience in the field. The first six weeks consists of courses in high-fashion makeup and cover techniques like air-brushing, glamor for television and film and makeup styling for period pieces. The next four weeks of the program include lessons in character makeup techniques, such as aging and creating tattoos, wounds and burns. Students then complete sections on prosthetic and advanced character makeup courses, each of which lasts four weeks.

      The college offers payment plans and participates in private student loan programs. The school provides assistance locating housing as well as job placement assistance.

      Cinema Makeup School

      3780 Wilshire Boulevard

      Los Angeles, CA 90010

      213-368-1234

      cinemamakeup.com

    Douglas Education Center

    • Douglas Education Center is in Monessen, Pennsylvania, a community 48 miles south of Pittsburgh. Although the area in which it is located is not often thought of as a center for film or television, the school offers a well-known special effects makeup program designed and taught by professional monster-movie makeup artist Tom Savini, who worked on films like "Friday the Thirteenth" and "Creepshow."

      The program lasts for four semesters and includes classes in basic cosmetics, anatomy, anthropology, hair and beards, mold making and casting, animatronics, psychology, special effects props and animation. Students undergo two formal portfolio reviews with Savini prior to graduation. The school frequently invites other accomplished film makeup artists and costumers to give lectures or hold workshops, with past visitors including Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger, who have won Academy Awards. Federal and state financial aid are available for qualified students, and the college offers help with job placement.

      Douglas Education Center

      130 7th Street

      Monessen, PA 15062

      724-684-3684

      dec.edu

    Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry

    • Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry is a private makeup training school located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The college offers a 15-week professional makeup artistry certificate program that consists of 10 basic courses in subjects like makeup application basics, airbrushing, photographic makeup, film and television makeup and body art. Special effects techniques covered in the program include scratches and lacerations, bullet holes, bruises and burns, tattoos, fractures, aging, hair application, period makeup, artificial teeth and gelatin prosthetics. The program also covers how to interpret a script to design makeup for an entire cast of characters and how to maintain appearance continuity when shooting over the course of several weeks or days.

      Students undergo a formal portfolio review prior to graduation and take courses in professionalism and job search skills as well. Private students loans and scholarships are available for eligible students as well as military benefits. Job placement assistance is available.

      Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry

      2635 East Oakland Park Boulevard

      Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306

      954-564-4181

      cosmixinc.com

Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved