Film Makeup Masters

Develop professional makeup skills and join the TV and Film industry

Film Makeup Masters

Develop professional makeup skills and join the TV and Film industry

Intensive in-depth training for makeup artists

Immerse yourself in the world of TV and Film makeup and prepare for a transforming experience. Balancing the required technical knowledge with our project-based, hands-on approach, the Film Makeup Masters program will prepare you to join the TV & Film industry seamlessly. Our experienced instructors will guide you from the foundation to the most advanced techniques, nurturing your creativity, expanding your skills and providing you with valuable feedback to build a successful career.

Project-based learning

Students develop their knowledge and skills while working on 47 creative projects.

From fundamentals to prosthetic arts

Our program starts with a strong foundation of technical knowledge and builds on each module until advanced SPFX techniques.

Build an extensive creative portfolio

Participate in professional photo shoots of your creative projects, enabling you to showcase your talent in a solid and industry-ready portfolio.

From the classroom to the industry

Our carefully curated industry-driven curriculum will enable you to transition from classroom to the industry and initiate a career as a makeup artist.

Program Overview

Push the limits of your skills and your imagination

Students are first introduced the fundamentals of makeup design for film, television, and video. Students will learn how to apply a wide range of makeups on actors for diverse characters through intensive training, information, techniques, and applications. Through screenplay breakdown, they learn how to construct the character and create a continuity binder and budget. 

As the training advances, students learn how to use the airbrush and body painting techniques to create fantastical characters. Students will learn how to apply theater makeup and have the opportunity to work on a theater production. 

Students then progress to out-of-kit effects, where they learn how to make 3D wound simulations, bald caps, hair lying, and other effects. The Prosthetic Arts course teaches shop work including Bondo transfers, lifecasting, gelatin, silicone mixing and running, and teeth-casting. Students will learn how to build a full head foam latex character, blood rigging, and body part fabrication as the curriculum progresses. 

The program concludes with on-set experience in a student short film project. Participants in the short film receive an official IMDB credit.

Expert instructors

NIC’s teachers are experienced and talented individuals, guiding students from fundamentals to the most advanced techniques. NIC has a solid experience teaching students for over 43 years and helping each one to not only develop the skills and techniques necessary to work but how to build their career path for their future.

Project-Based learning

NIC’s practical approach to learning gives the students the opportunity to apply and validate the theory they just learned, reinforcing each lesson in-depth. While working on your project you will be guided and receive essential feedback to improve and achieve higher levels each time.

Develop the abilities to work in the competitive TV & Film makeup industry.

Film Makeup Masters students study and practice their skills on 47 projects during their program, expanding their abilities while building a solid portfolio to showcase their work. As a final project, they work on a short film, working in the production from developing the right look for each character, to applying makeup and special effects on actors. As part of the production team, students earn an IMDb credit.

Work as a Makeup Artist in TV & Film

We are proud to have students that joined productions on some of the world’s largest blockbuster films and TV shows. Our hands-on technique, with a one-on-one approach, is designed to encourage the creative mind and hone the natural ability. We work hard so our students succeed not only in class but in their careers.

Join a FX shop

The Film Makeup Masters alumni is able to work in FX shops, focusing their skills on advanced SPFX makeup and prosthetics.

Courses Included

The Film Makeup Masters curriculum is carefully crafted and constantly reviewed to provide outstanding training and enable students to join the industry at the highest level.

Students who successfully complete this course will have the knowledge and skills to apply makeup for television and film, as well as trending makeup for music videos. Students will obtain significant insight into the inner workings of the makeup department while learning
vital information and strategies to succeed in this booming field. To complete this module, students will apply makeup for actors’ demo reels using their newly acquired knowledge and skill set.

Students who successfully complete this course will have a thorough understanding of how to handle an airbrush safely and professionally. This lesson will cover both strategies for creating eye-catching fantasy looks and realistic approaches employed in the film business. Students will learn about several kinds of airbrush guns, compressor theory, and product knowledge. Students will also develop knowledge on character design and colour theory.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have gained the knowledge and skillset to work on theater productions. Students will understand the fundamental differences between theatrical productions and television/film productions, as well as how these variances affect makeup design. Students will build confidence in various makeup applications and use their abilities in a real theater show through hands-on experience!

Students who successfully complete this course will have a broad awareness of makeup effects products as well as a thorough comprehension of how various materials can be employed and the circumstances surrounding product selection. This module teaches students how to fabricate amazing 2D and 3D effects from products found in their kits as opposed to creating pre-made prosthetics. Because of their speed and low cost, these techniques are essential for a makeup artist who specialize in film makeup.

Students will learn how to create realistic effects such as building a ventilated mustache, beard laying, applying the most frequent injury simulations, dirt application, blood application, bald cap creation, and more.

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to bring their makeup effect characters to life. Students will develop and practice their new and exciting skills in character design, Life casting, sculpting, molding, running and application techniques.

This course begins with the most used small makeup effects and progresses to the creation of many full character designs. The concepts and applications studied in this course will provide the student with a substantial amount of hands-on practical experience, which is required to acquire confidence and enhance skill level.

This course is designed to provide students with vital knowledge and practical skills for working on set as a special effects makeup artist as well as making prosthetics in the shop.

Students will use new and difficult techniques to hone their previously learned skills in casting, sculpting, and molding. Students will learn how to make blood rigging (a prosthetic wound that can bleed on camera), a realistic prop silicone arm, and a full-head foam latex character in this course! This portion of the course will teach students advanced techniques for working on set and in a makeup effects lab/shop.

 

Students completing this course will be able to create a character breakdown, makeup design, and budget for a short film. Depending on the storyline, this module may feature both straight makeup and makeup effects. Students will collaborate with the acting department to develop the aesthetics, as well as create the necessary prosthetics for the film in the “lab.” The course will finish with filming days on set, a call sheet, and IMDB credit. 

This course will visit essential tools of a strong business plan. It will give the students the opportunity to review and updating the students’ resume, cover letter, and portfolio as necessary, as well as developing a strong professional identity online will assure that students are ready to join their fellow working alumni. Students also gain extensive knowledge of the Unions in British Columbia and the steps it will take to achieve membership.

From fundamentals to advanced SPFX

Build a makeup portfolio

Showcase your work in professional photo shoots

Develop cutting-edge skills and techniques

Extensive Prosthetic Arts training

Fabricate realistic 2D and 3D effects

Airbrushing and body makeup projects

Molding, sculpting and advanced painting techniques

Participate in a short film, from character concept to makeup application

Our Faculty

NIC’s Makeup experienced and talented faculty will guide you through this exciting journey into the makeup universe, shaping your skills and guiding you to find your own voice as a makeup artist.

Shimon Karmel

Shimon is an internationally published and award-winning photographer (Photo France...

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Shimon Karmel

Shimon is an internationally published and award-winning photographer (Photo France...

Read More

Success Stories

Check some of the success stories from NIC’s Makeup programs alumni

Upcoming start dates

2024
September

2025
March
September

2026
March
September

Program Requirements

    • Applicants must be at least 19 years of age or hold a high school diploma.
    • Submit a completed Student Application Form and Admissions Questionnaire (available in paper or online formats).
  • Must pass both the New Image Written English Assessment Test and the Domestic Verbal English Assessment Test.

  • Results must show zero “#1” marks and no more than one “#2” mark.

  • Must provide proof of English language and academic proficiency.
  • Results of one of the approved English language tests must be forwarded to the school before acceptance into the program. The minimum scores for each test are as follows:
    • IELTS (International English Testing System): 5.5
    • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Internet-based: 61
    • TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication): 555-600
    • FCE (Cambridge First Certificate in English): Level B1
    • DET (Duolingo English Test): 95
    • PTE (Pearson Test of English Core Test): 40.8
    • CLB PT (Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test): CLB 5
    • CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program): CELPIP 5

Program Duration

1000 hours – 50 weeks

This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training

Admissions & Tuition

From our experience, we understand that each student has different needs in their education and also in their financial planning. Our Admissions Representatives are prepared to guide you through our payment options and what is best for you. Get in touch to schedule a Zoom appointment and discuss.

The tuition fee includes the Film Makeup Masters Kit (valued at $6,000). Students are given limitless use of supplies and products to work on each other during the practical portions of the modules that they are attending at the time. The tuition fee doesn’t include basic school supplies (pens, pencils, highlighters, sharpeners, erasers, white-out, tape, scissors, binders, paper, etc.)

Application Fee

Domestic Application Fee: $250
International Application Fee: $250

Tuition Fee

Domestic Tuition Fee: $23,950
International Tuition Fee: $29,950

Ready to apply?

Applying to your favourite school for a career you have always dreamed of is exciting! A New Image advisor is just an email or phone call away to assist you with questions and help make the process achievable. Your application is assessed by the people that will be there every step of the way during your education journey and have your best interests in mind.

Please select the program date, review the admission requirements and fill out the form at the Application Centre. A New Image representative will be calling you to get to know you better and discuss your goals, expectations, admissions and registration procedures within 48 hours.

Application Process

Apply Online

Check the program information and go through the program details, courses included, and tuition fees. Then fill out your application on NIC's Application Centre

Let's Talk

Upon receiving your application, one of our admissions representatives will reach out to you to schedule a Zoom call. We will discuss details regarding your program, tuition payment options and any question you might have.

Confirming your enrolment

We will provide you the documentation to confirm your enrolment and require an initial payment to reserve your seat for your chosen start date.

Get ready for school

This is your time to get organised! Use this period to coordinate your living arrangements, explore Vancouver and set up your route for your educational journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check below the most frequently asked questions about this program. If you have any further questions, feel free to get in touch with us.

Yes! Through the course of your your training you will be guaranteed an IMDB credit on a production this is produced by New Image College’s production company, New Image Entertainment. These credits will serve as the basis of your professional resume! Depending on your involvement, work ethic and ability, it is very common for current NIC makeup students and alumni to be utilized in New Image Entertainment film acting productions and other forms of media. If you put yourself out there, you’re possibilities are endless!

NIC schedules our makeup programs to run two and half days a week.

 

These programs are classified as full-time. In addition, NIC opens it doors for you to use our facilities to gain extra curricular experience, to work with your classmates to enhance your projects and exams, and to continue to develop your skills as an artist.

New Image College’s course prices are all-inclusive. We do not believe in hiding fees, and in correspondence with our governing laws, work on providing transparent prices. All prices include kit and supply fee.

NIC offers a variety of non-interest payment plan options that are available to assist students in obtaining their dream of education. In addition, we are highly experienced in assisting students in applying for government funding. Contact our Program and Career Advisors for further information, and to see the payment plan options available for you.

New Image College’s students are internationally recognized. We have alumni working world-wide, jobs ranging from business owners, on-set makeup artists for big budget film sets & critically acclaimed indie sets, in SPFX makeup labs for award-winning TV shows, retailing for some of makeup’s leading cosmetic brands and in the Global Fashion and Runway industries. In addition, NIC boasts a successful job board on our web site, offering world-wide job opportunities for our students on a daily basis!

After successful graduation, your job opportunities can range from Freelance Makeup Artist, Makeup Artist for Film and Television to all levels of an On-set Makeup Artist, Special FX shop Artist, FX shop technician and FX shop owner/operator.

Yes! But our goal is not to help you find only a job, but to help uncover opportunities that can craft a career!

NIC has one of the highest student success radios in our fields, and our hardworking, dedicated, and caring team is to thank. If you dedicate yourself to our training, we will work tirelessly to help you find the job of your dreams.