Houston 2011:10
Houston Conservatory Sets a New Path
Robert Nelson
Houston Branch President
National Board Member
A new season is starting and the Houston Conservatory is gearing up to help you acquire the tools you need to move your career forward. The new chair of the conservatory, Mykle McCoslin, did a fantastic job with our first offering, the HD makeup class. The attendees picked up great tips and skills, which are becoming ever more necessary to learn in our market.
Coming up next we are going to be having a sit-down with the agents in a one-on-one that you don’t want to miss, as well as workshops in voiceover, an update on where the industry is going and how to prepare for it from the perspective of the casting directors, and a special workshop on film business and finance. This will be an overview for those of you who might be interested in producing your own material. One of the most important offerings we have in the works will be setting up to record auditions that have to be submitted online.
Of course our Script 2 Screen live read series continues. Our most recent read, Journey Home was presented to an industry audience last week. Be watching for our future Script to Screen casting notices and, if you don’t wish to read for a part, come out and support your fellow members at the performance. These readings are a great way to network with your fellow actors and make industry contacts.
One thing is for certain: The industry is changing, as are the rules. If you don’t change with them, no amount of luck will help you. We now live in a digital age and the days of stapling a resume to a headshot are long past. Your leadership team is constantly talking to agents and casting directors to bring you the latest information you need to be the most prepared and most competitive professional you can be.
Halloween Bash
When: Sunday, October 30, 7 – 10 p.m.
What: Two live bands – Paul Banks & The Carousels plus Guilty Pleasures. Food from the Texas Kitchen Divas. Happy hour drinks all night and prizes for best pre-carved pumpkin (bring yours to the bash), best film-related costume, most original costume, best couple costume and best overall costume.
Cost: $10 for advance tickets, $15 at the door or $55 for a ticket and a one-year TXMPA membership. Tickets available here.
Event hosted by the Austin Actors Conservatory and benefitting TXMPA.
Welcome New and Transfer Members to the Houston Branch
New: Ricky Borrego, Beverly Brooks, Chloe Csengery, Cleta Ellington, Christopher Stephen James, Ryan Scott Lee, Bethany Rhoades, Audrey Scott
Transfers In: Gretchen Akers, Sam Bassey, Mia Bendixsen, Angela M. Bennett, Caitlin Carter, Rivkah Edelman, Kyle Flood, Carlisle Forrester, Douglas Goff, Andrea Groener, Marilyn Gsponer, Josephine Jackson, Kirsten Therese Leslie, Stephanie M. Ortiz, Alejandro Rose-Garcia, Lance Rudder, Pab Schwendimann, Daniel Torres, Kimberly Wharton, Ginny Yang
From left, actor LaTeace Towns, makeup artist Victoria Callaway and actor Mykle McCoslin. Photo by Michelle Robinson.
What Every Actor Should Know and Use — HD Makeup Class 101
by Mykle McCoslin
Houston Conservatory Chair
In August, the Houston SAG Conservatory presented an HD Makeup Workshop with national makeup artist Victoria Callaway at South Coast Film and Video in Houston. Victoria shared her HD makeup expertise and tips, and gave an HD makeup demonstration from start to finish on a very brave, non-makeup-wearing actor in attendance: yours truly. After working with Victoria last year on a commercial, I was introduced to airbrushing and HD makeup for the first time. I was amazed how beautiful my skin and makeup looked after it was airbrushed. It was as if she had painted on my face without feeling all that cakey, sticky base makeup that I was used to before. I was so excited to have learned this new information that I knew would help me as an actor that I wanted to share this information with my fellow actors, and Victoria generously offered to help make it happen.
Photo by Michelle Robinson.
Holding the workshop in a studio environment with an HD camera, monitor and a 50-inch flat screen HDTV allowed all of those in attendance to see live what it looks like to be in front of an HD camera and filmed in HD with and without HD makeup. Thanks to Robert Reese, a local videographer and owner of ITH Productions, for filming the event with a Sony HD camera.
Another actor in attendance, LaTeace Towns, was pulled from the audience and had half of her makeup taken off from one side of her face and reapplied with HD makeup by one of Victoria’s assistants. It allowed us to view the difference onscreen of wearing street makeup vs. HD makeup on the same actor’s face. You could definitely see the difference.
Photo by Paul Carrizales.
Victoria informed us how “The HD camera picks up what your eye sees, and will highlight any crease, dark circle or blemish if not properly airbrushed away. A traditional application of foundation and heavy powder will look very unnatural and be very obvious through an HD lens. High-definition cameras caused a major change in the world of TV and makeup artistry. Entire product lines were launched in response to meet the demand of makeup artists working with the new technology of HD cameras. The main difference in the new HD products involves light-scattering ingredients. Light-diffusing products create an illusion of an even finish, so you can’t detect the flaws beneath. Cosmetics with an HD label will contain one of the following: mica, silicone or crystals, which help scatter light in subtle ways. HD powders are milled to a very fine consistency to help avoid detection by the camera. You want to capture a fresh and natural look and still be able to see the skin through the makeup.”
Victoria also informed us of how the industry is changing. “Since budgets are smaller these days, you will be asked to do your own makeup more often, so be prepared to be HD-ready. Remember to travel with a makeup and hair kit for men and women and be prepared for a full application or just a light touch-up. Airbrush is always the first choice because of the durability and sheerness of the product and a lightweight HD powder. All other products should be blended, blended and blended. That is the key.”
Photo by Paul Carrizales.
Many auditions here in Texas are being filmed with HD cameras by local casting directors and sent off to directors and producers in Los Angeles and New York. Actors must come camera-ready, and now that means high-definition makeup-ready. My agent, Cindi Davis-Andress at Pastorini-Bosby Talent Agency had this to share: “HD is mainstream and HD doesn’t lie. Often, I receive feedback on an actor’s makeup that is not positive. The actor’s look didn’t change, but the technology did. The same makeup and technique that worked two years ago, may not work today. The key is to adjust to the current rules that govern how you look in HD. It is to every actor’s advantage to learn the makeup tips and tricks that will help them look better, feel better and hopefully book the job.”
Actress Allison Victoria, who also attended the workshop, said that the class taught her so much. “I liked how Victoria recommended makeup that even people on a tight budget can afford, and she knows what products work. I was just made a bridesmaid for one of my friend’s weddings. I can’t flip through a bridal magazine without reading about the wonders of airbrushing. If brides are doing it, why aren’t we as actors doing it too?”
Photo by Paul Carrizales
Before airbrushing After airbrushing
I strongly believe that every actor today should be educated on this new form of makeup, own their own airbrush kit with HD makeup and learn how to apply it on themselves. Our agents, acting coaches and casting directors are not going to be the ones to do it. We have to take the reins here and educate ourselves. My agents will say to me, “You need to go to the audition or job camera-ready.” Now that I have the knowledge, confidence and tools that I learned from Victoria, for me that means HD makeup camera-ready. Are you HD ready too?
From left, actor LaTeace Towns, SAG Houston Branch President Robert Nelson, makeup artist Victoria Callaway, actor Mykle McCoslin, videographer Robert Reece and AFTRA Houston Branch President Michelle Robinson. Photo by Michelle Robinson.
This HD makeup class was hosted by the Houston Conservatory at no cost to members — a true member benefit.
