Guest Speakers

Network With Industry's Finest

When you are student at CMU, you have the opportunity to interact and network with some of industry’s finest makeup artists. We invite successful international artists, reputed brands and other experts to share their knowledge and expertise with our student community. Here are some of the many top-notch professionals and brands who have interacted with our students  in the past.

Industry Experts

Craig-Ryan French

Film, TV & Fashion Makeup Artist

Craig-Ryan French

CMU alumnus and former instructor, Craig-Ryan French is a versatile make-up artist with over a decade of experience in theatre, film, television, and fashion. He has worked as makeup department head on projects like SAW, Defiance and Killjoys which he received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Achievement in Makeup. Since 2005, Craig-Ryan French has served as the Artistic Director and Global Make-up Artist for Parisian-based fashion house PAUL & JOE His work has been featured in Elle, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and other leading industry publications along with Paris Fashion Week.

Stephen Lynch

Film and TV Makeup Artist

Stephen Lynch

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, Haven, and Camp Rock. He was also a recipient of multiple 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.

Neil Morrill

SFX Makeup Artist

Neil Morrill

Former CMU instructor, Neil Morrill is a renowned sculptor and special effects makeup artist. With over 24 years of experience in the UK and Canada he has worked on numerous projects. His work includes Band of Brothers, The Descent, Crimson Peak, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The Strain, Hereditary, IT, The Suicide Squad and Shazam. Recently, his work on Run This Town garnered him a Canadian Screen Award nomination for “Achievement in Make-Up”.

Donald Mowat

Film and TV Makeup Artist

Donald Mowat

Donald Mowat has a career that spans over 30 years he has served as make-up department head and designer on such films as The Fighter, 8 Mile, Nightcrawler, Blade Runner 2049. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his make-up work, including win BAFTA, SATURN and MUAHS Award nominations and a Special Achievement Gemini Award along with a Primetime Emmy Award. Donald continues to display his skill as an exemplary leader through speaking engagements with aspiring entertainment professionals.

Candice Ornstein

Film and TV Makeup Artist

Candice Ornstein

CMU alumna and former instructor, Candice has worked with Netflix, ABC, NBC, CBC, SONY Pictures, Marvel, Showcase, Lions Gate Films, Hallmark, Fox Searchlight, Vanity Fair and others.  She has been nominated for both an Emmy and Canadian Screen Awards for her work on the Schitt’s Creek. She is also the founder of her own business, Source Organics.

Robert Weir

Fashion Makeup Artist

Robert Weir

For over fifteen years, Robert Weir’s artistry work as has appeared the pages of magazines like Vogue and V Man to the world’s most famous faces like Nelly Furtado, Saint Vincent and to the most powerful woman in fashion – Anna Wintour.  He is the former beauty editor of Plaid Magazine. He also counts the exclusive Toronto salons LAC and Co, and  Medulla and Co. as his partners.

It's important to be true to yourself and to be able to admit when you don’t know something. Be able to critique your work and then to ask yourself, ‘How can I be better?’ Understand the fine line between confidence and arrogance.

Donald MowatAward-winning Makeup Designer and Artist

You brand yourself, you sell yourself. Your network yourself and you make yourself known. By up keeping your skillset, by keeping your network relationships alive and well; you can grow as a makeup artist.

Peggy KyriakidouPresident of NABET 700-M UNIFOR

Brand Demos