For nearly a dozen years, MAKE UP FOR EVER has been a leader in global makeup education through its network of Academies around the world. With Academies in New York, Paris, Nice, Helsinki, Brussels, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul, the MAKE UP FOR EVER Academy network has a truly global perspective. On September 1, 2014, the company opened its tenth Academy – its second in Paris – focusing exclusively on the art of makeup for television and cinema – the MAKE UP FOR EVER TV & Cinema Academy at Cite du Cinema.

“Being a cinema makeup artist is very different from fashion for instance,” said MAKE UP FOR EVER Founder Dany Sanz. “It requires specific skills. This is the goal of this new school to teach how to succeed in this industry”

The new Academy will include a network of guest educators from around the world, making it a premier resource for current, relevant, industry learning. Guest educators for the launch session include for Airbrush, Dani Fonseca; Television, Patty Bunch; Cinema, Marietta Carter Narcisse and Leonard Engelman; FX and Prosthetics, Kazuhiro Tsuji and Glenn Hetrick and for Business Development, Michael DeVellis.

Such an approach and the inclusion of such a renowned collection of top industry experts was a critical part of the development of the new Academy’s structure.

“Our relationship with top professional makeup artists has always been strong, particularly thanks to our Academies,” said Nicolas Cordier, President and CEO of the brand, “This part of our activity allows us to be very creative as a company.”

With such a unique new concept launching for the brand came an equally impressive launch event held this past spring in New York. The event, held on May 4th, introduced the new Academy to the pro market in the U.S in grand style. As the champagne flowed, a meandering cast of characters from across a range of film and TV genres greeted guests amongst film-set vignettes set up around the 9,000 square foot, duplex event space, Gary’s Loft. “NYC is a central place for unique events and new trends, particularly in the makeup industry,” said Véronique Angelino-Pegum, Worldwide MAKE UP FOR EVER Academies Director. “For a French brand like ours, it was also our entrance door for the American market. As our project is an advanced and avant-garde school, it is quite logical to launch it in the ultimate of avant-garde cities!”

The guest list included top artists from not only the worlds of television and film makeup, but across every genre of work. With industry icons at every turn, the launch event was a must-attend, celebrating the pro community of New York and across the U.S., in a way few events have ever done.

Among the more than 300 attendees at the event were such industry luminaries as Patty Bunch, Matin Maulawizada, Joanne Gair, Kabuki, Frances Hathaway, Johnny Lavoy, Colleen Runne, Craig Lindberg, Barry Berger, Leslie Shreve, Gina Riggi, Angelina Avallone, Louie Zakarian, AJ Crimson, Edward Cruz, Joe Dulude, John Perkins, Dani Fonseca, Chris Milone, Victorija Bowers, Koren Zander, Elessa Rainbow, Theo Kogan, E. Scott Thompson, Serenity Eyre, Marietta Carter Narcisse, Cynthia O’Rourke, Benny Hancock, Joanne McDonough, Michelle Coursey, James Vincent, Nick London, D’Angelo Thompson, Orlando Santiago.

More than just a celebration of the amazing new MAKE UP FOR EVER TV & Cinema Academy, the event was a true celebration of the craft, career and community of professional makeup artistry.

The Cast
Bryan Thomas Hunt as The Director
Colin Cramer as The Tough Guy
Courtney Markowitz as The Director’s Wife
Greg Kamp as The Bellhop
Jenny Hoofnagle as The Corpse
Kelly Sheehan as The Hostess
Khadija Griffith as The Little Girl
Kim Sava as The Housewife
Kyle Supley as The Bellhop
Lizzie Porcari as The Little Girl
Michele Jongeneel as The Possessed
Reggie Alvin as The Old Man
The Production Team
Director Veronique Angelino-Pegum
Assistant Director Adrien Potencier
Producer Michael DeVellis
Marketing The Academies Cécile Roudolff
Digital Manager The Academies Margaux Demailly
Production Assistant Kelly Hushin
Production Assistant Trent Cotter
Department Head Makeup Karine Rzepka
Makeup Stéphanie Orillard
Makeup Dany Vasseur
Makeup Emily Edgar
Makeup Magdalena Mikulcakova
Makeup Mickayla Pence
Hairstylist Marcela Faria
Hairstylist Samantha Miele
Costume Designer Leslie Malitz
Costume Designer Tobin Ost
Catering Mary Giuliani Catering
Photos Sebastian Smith