Learn from the Best

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Laurie Frigon has been working as a professional makeup artist since 2011. She is known for her wide range of skills, from period makeup to prosthetic application. Laurie began her training as a painter, a background which eventually led her to the world of film and television makeup. Over the last decade, she has worked in every position in the field, from daily extras makeup to Head of Department. Her credits include the X-Men series, Pet Semetary, Quantico and Star Trek Discovery. Besides working as a makeup artist, Laurie has taught in such schools as Makeup Forever Academy in Shanghai, China and Lasalle College in Montreal. In her classes and private training workshops, she puts emphasis on balancing technical skill with imaginative design. She is a committee chair for the IATSE 514 makeup department and the owner of a special effects makeup products company.

Jessica Fulmer has been a working makeup artist in Toronto since she moved here in 2005. Originally from Nova Scotia; Jessica has always had a passion for cosmetics and creativity. Working primarily within the film and television industry she loves the ability to bring characters to life on screen.

Her body of work includes The Stanley Dynamic, Holly Hobbie, The Swap, Stage Fright and Edge of Winter. She has had the pleasure of working with Ruby Jay, Tom Holland, Joel Kinnaman, Minnie Driver and Meatloaf.

A graduate of Complections herself; Jessica is passionate about sharing her skills and knowledge and enjoys mentoring up and coming artists.

C.J. Goldman has been a professional special effects makeup artist for more than 20 years. He worked on such films as The Hobbit, Pacific Rim, 300 and X-Men Apocalypse. C.J. is based in Montreal, Quebec, and has travelled to work in such exotic locations as Shanghai, New Zealand, Los Angeles and, of course, Toronto. C.J. specializes in designing and creating realistic character and creature makeups. He also works for hire as a sculptor and painter.

These days, C.J.’s biggest passion is training the next generation in the craft and artistry of prosthetic makeup. He holds a master's degree in education and teaches classes and workshops in sculpture, painting, and application. C.J. loves finding ways to break down complex processes- such as designing character makeups - into specific steps and principles. He is happy to be teaching at CMU and looks forward to helping his students realize their creative ideas.

Robin Hutchins is a professional digital artist with formal training in Graphic Design and 3D Animation. He is an expert in multiple digital disciplines including digital sculpting and ZBrush. With over 18 years experience in the Music and Entertainment industry, Robin has worked on projects ranging from packaging design as lead designer of the Fisher-Price Music Series to 3D modelling and line producing for video game production, commercials and presentations for clients like GM and Coca-Cola.

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.

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.

Ethan is an alumnus of CMU, and a graduate of the Digital Makeup Effects Program. After a decade spent cooking in restaurants across Canada, Ethan decided to push what was once just a hobby to the next level, leaving the kitchen behind to pursue the study of sculpture. His passion for working in clay eventually led to ZBrush – a new frontier of digital creation, one untethered from traditional material restraints.

Inspired by the work of artists like illustrator Mike Mignola, and concept artist Pablo Muñoz Gómez, Ethan’s approach to creature and character design borrows heavily from the natural world, while taking influence from sources like Dungeons & Dragons, H.P. Lovecraft, and the comic books he grew up with. Ethan’s work has been featured by The Monster Makers Instagram page, and in addition to CMU he has done freelance work for Trent University.

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.

Lynda has had an impressive career with over 84 film and television projects to her credit. She worked as Makeup Department Head for shows including Bitten, Flashpoint, Lost Girl, Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning, Saving Grace, Fugitive Pieces, The Listener, Shades of Black, and Born to be Blue. She has also amassed many movie of the week credits. Her celebrity clients include Wesley Snipes, Sidney Poitier, Ethan Hawke, Shirley MacLaine, Paul Gross, Lara Flynn Boyle, Gordon Pinsent, and Megan Follows.

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.

Lesley is an established Makeup Artist in several fields from fashion to print advertising, as well as the music industry. During her career, she has worked with such names as Sting, Hugh Jackman, Bryan Adams, and Paul Stanley of Kiss fame.

Lesley also became heavily involved in the world of musical theatre as Head of Makeup for Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Technicolour Dream Coat with Donny Osmond, and Ragtime with Audra McDonald. She also worked on productions such as Lion King, Hairspray, Pricilla Queen of the Desert, Kinky Boots and Lord of the Rings. Lesley’s credits in the film and TV industry include films such as Silent Hill and Resident Evil as well as many TV series including The Boys, The Expanse, 12 Monkeys, Shadow Hunters and Suits.

Through her teaching and mentorship, Lesley continues to share, inspire, and encourage a new generation of makeup artists.

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).

Nathan Rival is an international hair and make up artist who has been in the business for over 25 years. He has trained and worked all over the world, from the Sydney Opera House to the BBC in London. The Paris Opera Ballet to Al Jazeera in Qatar. He regularly does hair for Paramount Studios at TIFF.

During his long and wide-ranging career Nathan trained as an apprentice wig maker in Bristol Uk with Campbell Young. This training lead to a 2020 Canadian Screen Guild Awards Nominee for Achievement in Hair in a film.

Having been in Toronto for 12 years, Nathan is an active member of Toronto film local IATSE 873 and is often the Head of Department on the films and TV series on which he works. He recently wrapped filming on the movie Lakewood starring Naomi Watts. Some other credits include Imposters, The Girlfriend Experience, Wayne, Ready or Not, Spinning Out, just to name a few.

Nathan looks forward to sharing the knowledge he has gained throughout his career with the new generation of artists.

Liz Robertson is an accomplished Makeup artist and Hairstyle who is well versed in the Toronto Fashion and Editorial industry.

Graduating with Honours some 20 years ago, Liz got her start by assisting hair stylists at salons, with weddings and backstage for events like Fashion Cares. Liz continued to develop her makeup skills by working for some world renowned makeup brands such as Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier and NARS.

Shortly thereafter, Liz was signed with Plutino Group, a top agency representing Makeup, Hair and Fashion stylists. Here she began her freelance career and worked for various magazines like Glow, Chatelaine and Fashion, advertising and commercial clients such as The Bay, La Senza, Joe Fresh, Toyota, Tim Horton’s and Verizon to name a few. 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.

Liz continues her freelance work through P1M while maintaining her full time teaching position at CMU as Department Head of Hair and Fashion Makeup Instructor.

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.

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. In 2020, he had his short film ABHORRENT play in the festival circuit as well as his first feature film, Hellbox release on Blu-ray, DVD and VHS in the fall.

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.