July 1st, 2015
IMATS is one of the key dates in the diary for UK based make-up artists. Now in its 13th year, the show boasts an impressive lecture programme as well as a show floor packed with exhibitors from every niche of the business, starting on Friday 10th July for their Pro Card holders and running for 2 days over the weekend of 11th – 12th July at London Olympia. Warpaint rounds up what’s not to be missed at IMATS London 2015.
This year’s keynote speakers includes two of the UK’s top film MU Designers who have taken the awards season by storm. Lizzie Yianni-Georgiou with David White alongside her, take to the stage to share their work from Guardians of the Galaxy. Along with members of their make-up team, they will describe how they made-up the colourful cast. Just to whet your appetite, you can read our interview with Lizzie about her work on Guardians here.
The Theory of Everything, the biopic of physicist Stephen Hawking was the break out success of last year, the make-up was incredible and was the work of another key note speaker, Jan Sewell. Jan too will take to the stage to discuss her work on this film as well as projects past, present and future. Find out more about Jan’s long and illustrious career here.
Visitors will also get the chance to see the 3rd key note, renowned make-up artist Andrew Gallimore. He will bring his creative talents to the stage during his keynote presentation The Art of Illusion. Gallimore’s work has graced the covers of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar as well as the faces of many celebrities. In his new book, titled Andrew Gallimore by Rankin, Gallimore has assembled a visual display of his artistic make-up masterpieces. For a review of the book as well as a captivating interview with Rankin and Gallimore themselves, click here.
The 4th keynote slot goes to Emmy-award winning American creature and effects artist Steve Johnson. Johnson has been working in the film and television industries for more than three decades designing characters and effects including The Abyss, Ghostbusters, Bicentennial Man, Species, Spider-Man 2 and more. His range of projects extend beyond film and television to include live-action illusions and animatronic characters for theme parks worldwide.
In addition to these goliaths of make up, IMATS runs a full and fascinating programme of lectures covering every aspect of make up with experts, leaders in their respective fields. Rod Maxwell teaches a master class on digital make-up design from preproduction to post. You can see how he uses programs including Adobe Photoshop, ZBrush and mocha Pro to design make-ups—from beauty and old-age to creatures and monsters—for pre-visualization or presentation. You’ll also learn how cutting-edge 3-D printers print moulds that can actually be used to create prosthetics and you’ll see how 2-D images can be used like prosthetics and attached to actors’ faces in post. Price: £65 – Tickets on sale here. Entry to the Pro-Card event is included in the purchase of this Master Class ticket and will be given at the completion of the class. Class limited to first 100 attendees.
Thomas Surprenant will be showing how to use two different prosthetic mediums to achieve a character make-up and the painting techniques to accomplish a seamless colouring between the two different types. This technique brings together the best of both materials and prevents problems encountered with using only silicone prosthetics. Surprenant will demo how mixing prosthetic mediums can produce a very realistic make-up that works well on camera.
You can also learn Penelope Gwen’s trademark approach to contouring, the creative way. She will fully utilise the facial canvas and use any colours to frame the face and set the mood for the look. The ubder talented, Einat Danwill also be on hand showing visitors how to prepare for and execute a creative look for fashion editorial/shows and learn how to design your own looks for designers.
There’s also the chance to catch up with International make-up artist and owner of MY- Management UK, Lee Pycroft who’ll be discussing the highs and lows of becoming a make-up artist. What it took to establish herself and all the success and failures encountered along the way. Pycroft will give an honest account of her career in the hope that attendees can gain an insight into the reality of being a make-up artist. She will touch on how to deal with issues such as reinventing yourself, professionalism, emotional resilience, handling money, how to manage people and dropping your ego.
Body painting is far from forgotten as Belfast boy, Paddy McGurgan showcases his favourite make-up styles that are extreme in terms of creative finish. This demo will allow you to see McGurgan’s passion for extreme make-up, striving for a reverence of the models beauty to remain. Playing with make-up and light, McGurgan will create magic on the skin. Focusing on iridescent and luminosity, this demonstration will show how careful layering of fine product can generate drama and ultimate beauty. For a look at Paddy’s work, click here.
All areas of the business of make up is covered on the exhibition floor. Colour cosmetics include NYX, YSL, Inglot, Make Up For Ever and MAC to name but a few. The big names in make up supplies: PAM, Guru, Kryolan, Love Make Up, Screenface and Treasure House are all in attendance. Schools including Bournemouth University, Cinema Make-Up, Make Up For Ever Academy and Somerset College have plenty of courses to interest.
Special Effects and Prosthetics exhibitors include: Neill’s Materials, PS Composites and Bloody Marvellous and kit and tools from the like of London Brush Company, Bdellium and Crown Brush. For a full list of exhibitors, click here.
IMATS is known for the spectacular demos on stands as well as Battle of the Brushes Competition. Entrants’ work is seen not only by industry leaders attending the shows, but also by thousands of social-media users following the show. Finalists also get a chance for international exposure by having their art featured in IMATS ad campaigns and show graphics. Additionally, the shows give competitors the chance to network in person with the pros doing the hiring. The competition is open to students of recognized make-up schools and to those who have graduated 12 months prior to the competition date. The 2015 character/prosthetic theme is Age Make-up Challenge and the beauty/fantasy category theme is Historical Beauty Trends.
IMATS also hosts The Make-up Museum which showcases famous works from film, television and advertising, created by make-up industry leaders. The museum often features rare photo collections, movie memorabilia and pieces from special make-up effects studios. Past contributors have included the Stan Winston Studio, Mike Hill, W.M. Creations, Creative Character, KNB EFX Group, the Chiodo Brothers, Creature Effects and many others. The museum is your chance to see make-up history up close.
The curator for the 2014 museum was Adrian Rigby, who took over from longtime curator Cliff Wallace in 2012. A former postman for the United Kingdom’s Royal Mail, Rigby trained as a make-up artist in 1995 at Preston College in Lancashire. After taking one of Nick Dudman’s short prosthetic make-up courses, Rigby got a job on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 2001.
He continued to work for Dudman as a prosthetic make-up artist and wigmaker, through the final Harry Potter films. More recent work includes Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Game of Thrones, Jupiter Ascending and Guardians of the Galaxy.
For ticket availability click here.
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