2022 Hair & Makeup In Person Workshop

“I had a serendipitous opportunity to work on a movie set as an additional MUA immediately following the training and I felt so much more confident and prepared then I would have been before attending the workshop your organization offered!”

-Kate Baisley, 2022 HMU Graduate

Stockade Works 2022 spring programming kicked off the season with a fantastic Hair and Makeup for film and television workshop. We had been wanting to host this training since March 2020, and while we were able to pivot to a successful virtual version in 2021, we were eagerly anticipating the relaunch of the in-person training, and all that is possible when meeting face to face. From watching students contour an actor’s face to properly attaching and fitting wigs, we were able to learn in a much more intimate way. After all, HMU is one of the most intimate positions on a film set.

The HMU workshop was held at LeShag Beauty salon in Kingston, NY, and we are so grateful to have partnered with LeShag for this workshop. Working with a local institution with such high standards was a perfect fit, as they truly understand the importance of local workforce development. Lead hair instructor and LeShag Beauty founder, Jennifer Donovan, has years of theater, film, and daily styling experience, so having her work with us, design this workshop, and guide our trainees was invaluable. Jennifer also introduced us to our lead makeup instructor, Emmy award winner Christal Schanes (SNL), who in addition to many years of on-set HMU experience, also builds custom entertainment wigs for celebrities and medical wigs for those in need, through her business CHRISTALine Studios. 

Many are unaware of the great range of career paths within the film and TV industry, even when they possess the transferable skills needed to be of great value on set. For this reason, leading up to our in person HMU Workshop, we offered a free, online career panel open to anyone curious about a career in HMU for film and tv. Panelists included, in addition to Christal Schanes, Vanessa Heshima-Sims (The Black List, Girls), John Perksin (Gotham, Law and Order), and Liz Printz (The Gilded Age, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel). The discussion centered around getting started in the industry, the best qualities to bring to set, and what a typical day looks like in the HMU department. 

We were also extremely pleased to feature guest instructors Jennifer Lord, Lisa Padovani, and Simone Tetteh. Jennifer was a graduate of our 2021 HMU workshop who has since transitioned into working full time in the industry. Her extensive knowledge of natural hair was an integral addition to the workshop’s curriculum. Emmy award nominee and CDG award winner Lisa Padovani taught the group about mood boards, and spoke about the vital teamwork and communication between HMU and the Costume/Wardrobe department. Simone spoke to the group about all things diversity, equity, and inclusion, and touched on many of the issues BIPOC talent has historically had to deal with due to underrepresentation, and a lack of focus on diverse skin tones and hair types. We believe that our best way to create a better industry begins while training!

Our workshop’s only prerequisite was that trainees have some hair and makeup experience. But beyond that hands-on capability, empathy, creativity and adaptability are skills that will always be incredibly important when working with a team and on set. For this reason, we always devote time in our workshops to set – etiquette and reviewing the human side of working in the production field. 

All of our workshops are created based on industry needs here in the Hudson Valley. This way graduates can seamlessly transition into paid positions, often immediately after completion of their training. Several years ago, we noticed a real need for skilled and ready-to-work hair and makeup artists locally, which became our call to action to create this program. We are so glad that we got to see it through.

After completion of the workshop, comes mentorship and meaningful employment. We have already begun referring HMU 2022 grads for jobs shooting locally and we love to see them thrive. Next up for Stockade Works is a Crew Boot Camp in May, and a Set Building Workshop in June. We forecast a bountiful spring in the Hudson Valley, and ever expanding opportunities to make local work.

*For a behind-the-scenes look at our HMU workshop, check out this video that was created by Dutchess Community College students!

Video