Yucca Street Studio

I'll tumble for you.

2011-06-08T21:30:00.000-07:00

My blog is now on tumblr!

Kit Show and Tell: Face Atelier

2011-01-27T13:17:00.000-08:00

Old habits die hard sometimes. I love RCMA but it has lately been taking a back burner since I got a few Face Atelier (FA) foundations.

I rarely wear makeup personally. I do a better job making up your face than I do my own. When I do wear makeup I want it to look clean and natural to the point you wonder if I'm wearing anything at all. FA - you are now the foundation I personally turn to for this.

My personal regimen for this is to wash my face with a Clarisonic, apply face lotion, shake the FA (it's silicone based with a built in primer so you need to shake it to distribute it) and apply a squirt to my face with my fingers. It's lightweight, has no smell, no SPF, covers hyper-pigmentation, redness, tired eyes, and makes my face glow. Put on a lip stain and mascara - I'm done in less than 5 minutes.

FA also has a pro program. You would need to submit a minimum of 2 portfolio pictures and a published credit or L.O.R. If you're buying for your kit, just remember the primary skin tones of your market and that you can mix and match - that's what the number system is for. The Zero Minus, Zero Plus, and Heat I would recommend tacking on to your order as they are great for extreme highlighting/shading and for darker skin tones. Also the glass containers give you more bang for your buck. I buy these and depot into plastic jars as I need and takes up less room in my kit.

I'm also loving it on all ages and skin tones right now (depending on the lighting/medium/event). It's not worth using on oily skin however. I've used it on teenage models to women in their 40s. It even covered up beard tone! I found that it's a bit too reflective with a strobe hitting the face but that was also the first time I used it on a shoot. I now use a primer underneath and powder well. I still use my beauty blender with it though it also works very well with brushes and fingers.

Want to buy a bottle for yourself but have no idea what color number you are? FA has testers for $1 with about 3-5 full faces worth of foundation (depending on how much you'd use) with which you'd be able to find your perfect match in no time. Try their lip putty too - it helps smooth your lips texture and prevent color bleeding around the edges of your lips. Your state may also have a store that carries it.

Finished spread: Fantastics

2011-01-19T20:55:00.000-08:00

Yay! The vampire spread is out! Many thanks to Shannon for calling me on this.

Face Off

2010-12-30T15:24:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't heard, there's a new reality show coming that is about makeup and makeup artists. Face Off (SyFy 1/26/2011) focuses on the FX side of the business with contestants creating characters each week to make it to the finish line and win 100K

According to Michael Westmore's article "Face First" in Makeup Artist Magazine #88, "Contestants will be tested on their application abilities, knowledge of materials, and lab experience. They will be asked to create hybrid animal species, tattoo designs, body painting designs, an aliens on a newly discovered planet, and a horrifying villain." From there it will follow a standard talent reality format with a quick challenge to test how well artists think on their feet, presenting the main challenge with judging on construction, application, and creativity. There will also be unexpected switches, prosthetics will have their physical merits tested, and even though it's a little bit implied - someone will possibly be in disguise for a challenge. Many of the challenges are the same thing artists would face on the job, you just have anyone with cable or internet tv watching you do it right or make a mistake.

Host:
McKenzie Westmore

Judges:
Glen Hetrick
Ve Neill
Patrick Tatopoulos

Show contestants are:
Megan Areford
Marcel Banks
Samantha Cobb
Tom Devlin
Sergio Guerra
Kayla "Jo" Holland
Gage Hubbard
Frank Ippolito
Jessica Kramer
Connor McCullagh
Anthony Pepe
Tate Steinsiek

I have to admit that a show like this has been long overdue. The last reality show we had about our business was Blush. It didn't focus on prosthetics and the episodes I was able to catch focused on the drama between the artists, the crazy makeup challenges (the food challenge in particular), and the obligatory product placement (even though you saw a few MUFE flash palettes and RCMA palettes). For reasons unknown the show hasn't shot another season since it ended in 2008.

I always hoped for a running-shop-show-scenario filming the goings on of an FX shop's day ins and outs. But the confidentiality surrounding movies, tv shows, commercials, etc it's very unlikely that there will be such a format. The good thing about Face Off is that more people will know about our industry and may inspire to hire us or inspire people to enter this career field. It may create unrealistic expectations about our line of work and how "fast" things can be done (think of the amazing makeup sequence for Mrs. Doubtfire). Hard to say until it airs but I hope it does well enough for SyFy to think about doing a 2nd season.

Finished Spread: Evan Gunville

2010-12-29T09:41:00.000-08:00

The new issue of Fantastics came out this morning from the shoot I worked on back in October. You can check out the spread by clicking the cover below.

Character makeup

2010-12-20T22:32:00.000-08:00

I have proof that I don't do just beauty makeup! This past Friday I did a fashion shoot (photos coming on the 29th) incorporating some FX work and on Saturday I did a short student film doing cuts, bumps, bruises, and bullet wounds.

Both were quite fun and fulfilling for me. The fashion shoot was probably the best mens grooming I've ever done (hard to tell in the photo but he has some lovely highlight and shadow). The film shoot gave me the opportunity to use some prosaid transfers from BAPO FX. In the photo I used a small cut on the nose with the rest being painted with Skin Illustrator. I have to admit I love the transfers - the coloring was good and the edges were perfect. It was a total treat to use them and I look forward to using them again when the opportunity arises again.

Until then, have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas from FORD RBA!

2010-12-16T22:13:00.000-08:00

Behind the scenes: Matthew Dutile's Xmas

2010-12-11T18:39:00.000-08:00

Today I did a test shoot today with resident photog Matthew Dutile with wardrobe supplied by Shannon Campbell. Our models were Meilan Mizell and Carmen Prisco from FORD. Here's a teaser image from Matt and some behind the scenes I took including video.

Making masks

2010-11-15T11:35:00.000-08:00

One of the items on my list was to finish a Day of the Dead mask. I did it just in time for Halloween (and make a wig for it too) and for Tucson's Day of the Dead parade. I may make a few for next year but that's a year away and I have other jobs to do in the meantime.

Shoot with Evan Gunville

2010-10-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Close to last minute on Wednesday night, Evan Gunville asked me if I could do men's grooming for a magazine shoot. I'm not sure how much I can write about it as Evan did tell me I could take behind the scenes images. I'm pretty sure I can tell you who the models are: Channce Condit and Joshua Brisbane. Until then, enjoy these artsy photos I took with a Droid app called Retro Camera.

Hell Week

2010-10-27T09:56:00.000-07:00

So for the past 3 weeks I have been working for ATC again doing wigs for Dancing Backwards in High Heels: The Ginger Rogers Musical. It was a good run with an excellent cast that I had fun goofing off with. Currently for this Halloween "week", Romeo and Juliet is on stage. I was called to be a dresser at the last minute but I sadly cannot do it for this is what I am going to call "Hell Week".

Hell Week isn't as bad as it reads - it's just stressful as I have a lot of jobs not connected to each other to finish. Add a job that keeps me away from the studio finishing these, and it becomes "Zombie Week" as I will turn into something terrible from lack of sleep and illness. And who wants that while I'm working on their face?

A full mask, pour, fill, and ship
~~A lifecasting~~ + corrected positive
A Day of the Dead makeup
Aging a couple + prosthetic balls ala Jackass (no kidding)
A Blue Man group family (4am call time - all right!)
Painting and wigging a mask
Pouring and applying a gelatin prosthetic (Stephen's first sculpt)

7 jobs right now. It could soon be more or less after I post this. In the meantime, here's a photo Stephen snapped yesterday of the lifecasting job.

Wish me luck and keep those Halloween phone calls a comin.

More than a month later...

2010-09-22T00:07:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry for not updating - or even doing a show and tell! I have been busy doing a plethora of other projects ranging from corporate jobs to sculpting jobs. I'd go on but there's little I'm allowed to talk or show about it publicly. Just know it's really cool and that I'm keeping busy. (You can see my quick and fast Halloween mask on FB).

To keep this visually interesting, here's a drawing I did a few weeks ago.

Halloween is coming up very soon and I still have time slots open. Maybe I should offer a Yelp promotion or a Groupon coupon? What do you think?

Behind the scenes: Diane Wallace at the Valley Ho

2010-08-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I teamed up again with Diane Wallace and her crew: Kelsey Hazlewood (assistant), Craig Amrine (assistant), and Erin Markis (wardrobe). We did some fun commercial images in a large mod (60s) and modern (materials) hotel suite at the Scottsdale Valley Ho. I loved it so much that I think Stephen and I'll have to stop by often for architectual and design references as we continue to work on our studio space at Yucca Street.

Our models were Bobby McCarthur (who is shockingly unsigned) and Dawn Burger from Leighton Agency. Simple grooming, clean makeup, and fun times had by all. Please pardon my artsy photos.

Kit Show and Tell: Yaby Eyeshadow Palettes

2010-07-28T18:39:00.000-07:00

I love my Yaby palettes. I was first introduced to them about 1 or 2 years ago by Rachel Dawkins. While I didn't get to play with the palette she showed me, I remembered it because it was so small. Either I didn't like it for the size, the colors, or I just couldn't justify spending the money - I sincerely regret waiting so long to purchase it.

I stayed with Rachel Lisa during my trip to LA for IMATS. She let me play with many of her Yaby palettes and decided on the Best of Both Worlds and the Dramatically Neutral. If I had the clientele that demanded it, I would have also bought the World of Pearl paints. Rachel Lisa swears on it for her Indian brides and with the color payoff I can see why. Also while at IMATS, I met the owner Liz Yu and fellow MUA blogger Liz Chang who was working the Yaby booth.

Pros:

40 colors to choose from in each eyeshadow palette
Color payoff - you don't need a lot!
Small palettes - depending on your frame of mind in the business, smaller is better
Customizable - you can make your own palette with Yaby products or throw anything magnetic (or not) into it!

And you may think price is a con. Considering you don't need a lot for color payoff, the fact that you may use more colors than others, the fact that eyeshadow refills are only $2.75 each (times 40, that's $118 not including the palette to put them in).

So far on all of my photoshoots since IMATS, I have used the palettes. The color payoff is phenomenal and I have a wide variety to choose from. I still bring my MAC matte palette with me but have yet to use it again.

Behind the scenes: Flamenco with Diane

2010-07-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

Today I did another test shoot with Diane Wallace! This time we shot over at Villa Sienna in Gilbert with Octavia Jones in her flamenco outfits. The images will be beautiful and I'm happy to be working so much with Diane. Who knows - more dance shoots in the future!

Behind the scenes: Diane Wallace and the all-girls shoot

2010-07-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I finally worked with my first female photographer/MUA Diane Wallace. Our models were Gwen Lindvig and Ateh Wangia (Cody is Diane's photogenic pup), hair by Heather Blaine, and wardrobe by Erin Markis. An all female crew!

Finished photos will be seen in a few months.

This shoot was also the first time I got to use my brand new Yaby palette and have it photographed. Once I get in my other palette and colors I ordered at IMATS, I will do a review and I can say that it will all be positive.

Behind the scenes: Family Fun with Matthew Dutile

2010-07-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I worked on a fun little shoot with Matthew Dutile again. Matthew does a great job with commercial photography and I'm happy to have more of it in my book. Our models were Jonathan Hillis and Jennifer Johnson and her 3 children: Aiden, Reese, and Trace. We all beat the scorching heat by shooting indoors thanks to assistant Ken Peterson!

I snapped off a few pictures of Matthew but left the shooting to him. Here's a preview shot:

And 2 funny ones of Matt:

Kit Show and Tell: Monda Studio and Rubber Wands

2010-06-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

I personally love to stop at all the makeup supply stores while in LA for IMATS mainly because it's calmer and it's all in one place: Burbank.

One store I haven't been to before is Nigel's. It's fairly large and they do have a website. The main attraction is that they are the only pro store with MUFE in it but also give the pro artist discount. So if you wanted to order anything from MUFE and not wait for the shipping from NY, you can order from them as long as you have the MUFE discount already.

I also found a few hidden treasures I'd never seen before - 2 in particular. The Monda line of bags and the much sought after rubber mascara wands. You can't order the wands online right now but you can call in and order from the store ($4.99/pack of 25). They are awesome and function just like any mascara you currently buy with a rubber wand inside - it also separates lashes beautifully.

The Monda line is made by/for Nigel's. So far it's durable, great if you need a see-through soft case, actor bags, etc that you need to put anything in. I'm pretty sure they'd fit into the ZUCA case or any suitcase as well. Personally I'm having a love affair with the dual zipper actor bag (MST-017). You can't tell but it's a dual compartment bag rather than a bag with 2 zippers. One side is for brushes, blotting papers, puffs, etc and the other for touch up products that you use on them. I bought a few but I'll use one mainly to store my brushes: one side clean, the other dirty.

Off to LA

2010-06-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Today I leave for a brief fling with LA to do some serious restocking, playing, and one-on-one teaching (I do teach my cool tricks to those who are interested). I'll be at IMATS both days, so don't be shy to say "Hi".

Dimension Mag: Nikolai de Vera

2010-06-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

"FINALLY!" was the word of choice when Nikolai called to tell me that the photoshoot we worked on together back in February had been picked up by an emag called Dimension Magazine. Check it out!

This was the shoot I worked on back in February that was largely based on the Fever Ray video "When I Grow Up". Nikolai and I got together and braided found materials (chiffon, fox tails, paper, plastic, tulle, etc) to help add to the wardrobe pulled by Alejandro Cadavid-Suniga. It was cold and rainy that day, and I had to put different concoctions of paint on Shimeon Mattox for just about every set - he totally pulled through for us. I'm pleased with the final result - always happy to show texture.

Back at it.

2010-05-26T18:10:00.000-07:00

More personal life photos! Here's a whole slew of wedding photos you can thumb through and a few select ones from our honeymoon.

We took a Royal Caribbean cruise to the western Caribbean (Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel). Here's a video of me ziplining in Labadee, Haiti on a 4,000 ft long cable. I can compare it to riding a motorcyle at 40 mph over water.

I also went scuba diving in Grand Cayman so that I could add the Gulf to my list of waters I've dived in (plenty more to still get into). Stephen couldn't participate as he's not certified, so he went on a bike tour that took him literally to hell and back. He also got to play with the cute sea turtles.

In Jamaica we spelunked in the Green Grotto caves complete with bats, birds, and the invasive American cockroach. Here's Stephen on nightvision (the only thing my camera can't do is go underwater, grr).

In Cozumel, we took a ferry to Playa del Carmen to see the Tulum Ruins and then went to the beach.

But that's only some of the photos and videos. Plenty more here.

Other than that, more photos from past shoots coming soon. Also, IMATS is coming up so I'm sure I'll see a lot of you there. Until then, ciao.

Finished Spread: Evan Gunville

2010-05-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

Be prepared for another long lag without posts - Stephen and I are going on our honeymoon. The good news is I have something to show before we leave and just came to my attention yesterday. My first "tear sheets".

My first little spread shot back in February on an awfully cold and rainy day. The team was:

Photography: Evan Gunville
Photography Asst: Grapho Kinesis
Wardrobe: Jill DeAndrea and Robert Black
Hair: Ruca Haute

Model: Danielle Tedesco

Until then, I'm off and away to a land of humidity and mosquitoes. Back by the 25th.

Hitched (more photos added 5/6)

2010-05-04T17:12:00.000-07:00

I got married on Saturday to my best friend of 5+ years. Both Evan Romine and Matthew Dutile were the official photographers but one tourist took this from afar, emailed it to NPS who had our permit on file, and emailed it to me. I'll post more here once I get them.

Ironically, Willem Dafoe and Tom Waits were at the Grand Canyon visiting as well. Not the first celebrities to visit but a first for a wedding party to continuously cross their paths there. No pictures exist but at least I have something interesting to tell them if we ever meet again.

Matthew took this one. I said "Great PS work!" and he said he didn't do any - and he didn't! Know how I can tell? Look at my leg scrapes from falling on an outside stair step a week earlier.

Evan actually has a photo of me falling down the stairs at the El Tovar in my dress post-ceremony. All stairs and stoops everywhere - infinity, Me - 0.

The Glass Menagerie

2010-04-14T19:43:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I finished my last theatre show of the season with ATC: The Glass Menagerie. While every show I work on becomes a favorite - Glass is a high contender. If you see a lot of theatre or see musicals that stop through town, you're used to seeing lavish sets and costumes - especially with how Glass is generally done. Instead, the show started out as an empty stage with the actors going in and out of character to read stage directions, draw chalk lines on the floor to indicate where the set pieces would be, spike tape, rehearsal clothes, rehearsal props, and rehearsal furniture. Very Epic Theatre.

Slowly with each scene the set begins to come together, the actors stop giving Tennessee's explanations and stage directions, stay in character, and wear more period appropriate costumes. Finally the set is fully assembled for the climactic scene in the 2nd act. Just as slowly as the illusion was built, it is quickly stripped away and broken apart just like the unicorn and Laura. After Tom leaves Amanda and Laura for the final time, the set props and furniture are taken away by stagehands with Tom returning to give his final monologue. The house lights come on while he is still on stage, says "Goodbye", turns around and walks to the back of the empty stage. He reaches the door, the lights go out except for his silhouette, and the door shuts. The audience is completely moved, doesn't know what to think, and begins to clap. We bowed to a standing ovation every night.

Here are Amanda and Laura's wigs. Athena was the designer and the looks were to be natural and contemporary but also needed to be period. Both are fingerwaved.

A funny snap of Brian in costume as Jim for the 2nd act.

Another snap of Noel and Brian as Tom and Jim before they ascend the fire escape up to the Wingfield tenant.

Stephen and I had dinner with the cast after striking. They worked wonderfully together. From left to right:

Noel (Tom), Jay (violin), Barbra (Laura), Catalina (Amanda), and Brian (Jim).

Finished photos: David McCain

2010-04-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

As promised, more photos from Mark Peterman - this time with David as the model. We got a few different looks and concepts - these were my favorite as they were cinematic and looked like advertisements.

And something a little lighter (you can see a few more of these on the Agency site):