Learn from the Best

Alexander possesses a degree in Architecture and a Masters in Urban Design from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. Soon after, he discovered that special makeup effects was his true passion and he attended CMU’s Complete Makeup Artist Program. Since graduating Alexander has worked in the film and television industry both on set and in special makeup effects labs. His film and television credits include Defiance, Incorporated, Man Seeking Woman, People of Earth, Cardinal, and The Silence.

Barbara’s career in fashion makeup artistry has spanned over 30 years. Her work has appeared in major fashion magazines including Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
Along with making up some of the world’s most famous faces – Naomi Campbell, Isabella Rosselini – and spending countless hours on editorial photo shoots, commercial sets, backstage at runway shows, episodic TV shows, and on-air appearances. Barbara was the co-founder and VP Product Development for Cargo Cosmetics and was also responsible for trend forecasting for FACES Cosmetics. She was the recipient of the Canadian Network of Makeup Artists (CNoMA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.

David’s career in film and television spans over 25 years. His artistic vision and talent has led him to work on major films including Resident Evil: Afterlife, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Dawn of the Dead, 300, The Incredible Hulk, Silent Hill 2, and Jason X. His television credits include Murdoch Mysteries, Remedy, Mutant X, and Todd and the Book of Pure Evil. He has been nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards for his work on the television mini-series Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town (2010) and the feature film Backcountry (2016). David also owns and operates his own special makeup effects company, Form & Dynamics.

Dino has over 30 years of experience in the makeup worlds of entertainment, business, and education. He built his reputation across Canada’s beauty industry through regular appearances on Cityline with Tracy Moore for 25 years. Dino has also worked within the makeup departments of CBC and City TV. His clients have included the Barenaked Ladies, Justin Bieber, Kim Cattrall, Marilyn Denis, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, and Rachel McAdams. He has worked with international fashion designers such as Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Renta, has been published in numerous fashion magazines and newspapers, and has served as brand ambassador for major companies including Revlon Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart. Dino also operates his own private makeup studio and manages his own cosmetics line, DDB Makeup.

As a long-standing makeup artist for the Canadian Opera Company and a member of the film union IATSE, Jennifer has worked on principal performers, chorus members, leading actors, and models. Her work has appeared in over 100 Canadian Opera Company productions including La Bohème, Otello, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Madame Butterfly, La Traviata, The Magic Flute, and The Barber of Seville. Jennifer has also worked on films including X-Men and Cinderella Man and on musical theatre productions such as The Lion King and Ragtime.

Jessica Panetta is a makeup artist based out of the great city of Toronto. Most often working in film, television and web content, Jessica is a leading artist within the commercial, beauty and bridal industries as well. Her approach to her artistry is a unique practice. With a marriage between creation, collaboration and skill, Jessica prides herself on creatively executing efficient and clean makeups with a high standard of etiquette and professionalism.

Jessica began her creative vocation at McMaster University, receiving an Honours BA in the school's Film & Theatre program. She then continued her studies at Complections College of Makeup Art & Design, graduating from the Complete Degree Program. In 2017 Jessica also graduated from Laurenzos Hair School with the Complete Hair Diploma.

Having worked as the Key Makeup and Hair artist in a variety of formats, some recent long format credits include TIFF Special Program Feature Mouthpiece (2018) directed by Patricia Rozema, Film Farms Octavio is Dead! (2018) directed by the beloved Canadian Sook-Yin Lee, Sythia Films feature, and TIFF Best Canadian First Feature Bang Bang Baby (2014) and Canadian Screen Award and Emmy nominated web series The Amazing Gayl Pile (2014-2018). Jessica's work has been screened at multiple festivals including TIFF, Sundance Film Festival, Festival de Cannes, Whistler Film Festival, Calgary International Film Festival, Montreal World Film Festival, Reel World Film Festival and Toronto and LA Webfests. She was awarded Best Makeup Design at the Rome Web Awards for her work on the three time CSA Nominated Webseries Whatever, Linda in 2015 and also holds three nominations for Best Makeup design at the Indie Series Awards (2014/2017/2018).

Jorge Chaves is a professional photographic retoucher who specializes in commercial advertising. He has over 17 years of experience and is often sought out by top Canadian photographers. Jorge’s client list includes Toyota, Mill Street Brewery, FedEx, Kraft, Royal Bank, Subaru, Dairy Farmers of Canada, and Crimestoppers. His work is regularly featured in print and billboard advertising throughout North America.

Kat Crisp is an alumna of CMU College and has a BA in psychology from York University. Since graduating CMU in 2009, she has amassed over 75 credits within the film and television industry, with many premiering at film festivals around the world including half a dozen premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival. Kat’s celebrity clients have included Oscar winner Richard Dreyfuss, Sophie Turner, Darryl Hannah, Laura Vandervoort, Francis Conroy, Daniel Stern, Eliza Dushku, Rose McGowan, Marina Sirtis, Ian Somerholder, and musicians such as Lights and Sam Roberts Band. Kat also regularly hosts master classes with top industry brands and she loves bringing CMU graduates on set with her for real world experience.

Kelly is an accomplished professional makeup artist, wigmaker, and hairstylist. His assignments have included working as Head of Makeup & Wigs for the esteemed Canadian Opera Company. He has built wigs for major productions including The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, The Lion King, Tommy, and Les Misérables (Toronto and Broadway). Kelly’s accolades include team membership for the 2001 Emmy for Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or Movie for The Feast of All Saints. He has also worked for special makeup effects companies and on films.

Liz is a fashion makeup artist who remains at the cutting edge of her industry. She has worked for some of the world’s most recognizable beauty brands such as Bobbi Brown, NARS, Laura Mercier, and Stila. Her list of commercial and advertising clients includes Holt Renfrew, Pink Tartan, Gosh Cosmetics, Ford, Nike, Pepsi, and Roots. Liz’s work has appeared on celebrities during TIFF and has been showcased in numerous fashion magazines. Her celebrity clients include James McAvoy, Bryan Cranston, Sass Jordan, and Stephan Mocchio.

Margot’s talent for creating unconventional looks was first developed when she trained at Vidal Sassoon as a hairstylist. Since then her hair and makeup expertise has helped her land coveted jobs in television, magazines, and online. Margot is a regular contributor to Fashionmagazine.com. Her celebrity clientele has included Boy George, Ryan Gosling, Pitbull, the Backstreet Boys, Wyclef Jean, and Peaches. Margot has also worked extensively in advertising and in television, including on the series Heroes Reborn. She has taught at LA Makeup Academy (Dublin), London College of Fashion UK, and OCAD. When she’s not teaching, Margot takes private clients and provides consulting services to film and television production companies including the CBC.

Mason is an expert sculptor, lab technician, and fine artist. He brings a wealth of experience into character creation and concept development. Mason previously worked as a Studio Technician at OCAD, where he taught students the technical methods of clay modelling, mould making, woodworking, and bronze casting. His knowledge of fabrication techniques and his lifelong interest in film and television drive him to inspire and educate future digital makeup effects artists.

Paul has formal training in Digital Visual Effects, Digital Character Animation, and Classical Animation. He is an expert in digital sculpting and ZBrush, the industry standard for digital character modeling. His extensive career in visual effects and 3D digital sculpting has led him to work for Disney, Cineplex, and The Globe and Mail. Paul also runs his own multi-disciplinary production studio, Rune Entertainment, which specializes in commercial, digital, and animation productions.

Ryan has worked in the makeup industry for over 15 years. He is an alumnus of CMU and of George Brown College for Film Direction and Screenwriting. Ryan’s work has appeared on Nanalan’, Death Race, Resident Evil: Afterlife, Big and Small, Monster Warriors, The Man Who Loved Flowers, and Mr. Meaty. When he’s not teaching, Ryan co-runs his own company, The Butcher Shop, which specializes in creature design, prosthetics, and special makeup effects.

Samantha is a multi-talented artist and an alumna of CMU. Since graduating from the Comprehensive Makeup Artist Program, Samantha has worked in prestigious special makeup effects shops including Tinsley Studio, Spectral Motion, Optic Nerve, and Fractured FX, Inc. She specializes in special makeup effects, as well as silicone and foam painting and fabrication. Her film and television credits include Stranger Things, Santa Clarita Diet, American Gods, The Knick, American Horror Story: Freak Show, Westworld, and Insidious.

Stephen has had an extensive career in film and television. He worked as Head of Makeup Department for major television shows and movies including Queer as Folk, Slings and Arrows, Long Day’s Journey into Night, Haven, and Camp Rock. He was also the recipient of the 2016 and 2018 Canadian Screen Awards for Best Achievement in Television Makeup for the hit show Orphan Black. His work and artistic prowess has been spotlighted in magazines including Vanity Fair, InStyle, Glamour, and Make-Up Artist Magazine. Stephen has made valuable contributions to CMU as both an advisory board member and as an instructor for the Film & Television course.

Steven is an alumnus of CMU who has had a rich career in special makeup effects. Over the past 15 years, he has worked with directors including David Cronenberg and Oscar-winning makeup artists Stephan DuPuis and Dave and Lou Elsey. Steven’s film and television credits include Pacific Rim, Maps to the Stars, Resident Evil: Retribution, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Wolves, Silent Hill, Clown, Saving Hope, Bitten, and Remedy.