• Michael Key FX Demo Day at Art of Makeup

    • June 19, 2016
    • Author | Celena Rubin
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    Imagine this. IMATS around 1998. Me, eighteen years ago, sprinting from room to room across the Pasadena Convention Center, not just because I didn’t want to miss a single lecture or demo from the top make-up artists in the industry, but also because I was too excited to walk between classrooms, barely able to sit still during the classes. I think it was only the second year of IMATS and I got to be there. I was the target audience that IMATS was made for. I had just completed more training in film make-up, and I was ready to pursue a full-time career as a make-up artist in the entertainment industry in Hollywood. And I was in the right place.

    What Michael Key has done for me and thousands upon thousands of up and coming and working make-up artists throughout the world, is instill inspiration, and provide an in depth look into the career of a professional free-lance make-up artist. He has provided a platform for artists to share their work with others, create a community, provide supplies, training, and support. His industry trade publication, Make-Up Artist Magazine, has brought this knowledge right to people’s door steps. It’s a truly magical gift to provide inspiration to others and help them turn dreams into reality.

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    When I found out Michael Key’s headquarters were right here in Vancouver, WA, I couldn’t believe the coincidence. And only yesterday, was I gifted once again with his gift of inspiration. My school was licensed as a professional career school for Make-Up Artistry only two and a half years ago, and believe me, I still have big plans. I want to open an FX lab and teach an in-depth FX program to prepare students to do FX make-up on film, tv, and stage. And yesterday, Michael Key came to my school to provide a complimentary class in just this. He stood all day in front of our class teaching students how to apply foam latex appliances with invisible edges, paint, and blend to create a realistic character, and later remove it. He showed us how to cut, shape, dress, and hand lay facial hair and remove it. Guess what? I’m inspired. So was everyone else. I can’t wait to grow my school and offer more classes. Thank you Michael, for 18 years of inspiration and still counting!