Leading makeup and special effects college ACMUSE has announced it will open a campus in Melbourne. (Cue: plenty of excitement from industry insiders.)
Highly regarded amongst some of Australia’s most accomplished professional makeup artists, the Australian College of Makeup and Special Effects (ACMUSE) has announced the exciting news that the college will be opening a new campus in Fitzroy, Melbourne in June 2016.
The cool inner-city location will suit this leading college-with-a-difference well. Very much a hands-on learning environment, ACMUSE offers its students in-depth, real-world learning to get them up and running in the industry the day they graduate – whether that’s in bridal makeup, on the runway, or motion-picture special effects.
Students at the Melbourne campus will be able to study the same comprehensive courses offered in ACMUSE’s Sydney campus in Glebe, including the Diploma of Specialist Make-up Services and Advance Diploma of Visual Arts, as well as a number of non-accredited short courses. Students will be exposed to best-of-the-business ACMUSE trainers, all of who are still actively working in the industry, each with at least a decade of experience under their belts.
The new ACMUSE campus will feature newly constructed makeup studios, an SFX workshop and state-of-the-art photography studio, in light-filled modern rooms. Most exciting perhaps is the fact that students will be exposed to the special effects makeup training that ACMUSE is so well known for – think character creation, casualty simulation, sculpting, moulding and full-face prosthetics for film, TV and theatre.
“ACMUSE has always strived to be the leader in education within make-up and SFX,” says Founder and CEO of ACMUSE Scott Lattimer. “Since inception, international recognition has always been a goal of ours. In 2005, I was first asked by professionals to open a College in Melbourne. I now feel that we are in the position to offer those wishing to study makeup and SFX in Melbourne the equivalent education that we provide in NSW. I am truly excited to see what we can achieve in Victoria.”
Students know they are learning in a special place when the industry doyens are such avid supporters of the college. Several top Australian makeup artists are behind the opening, including multi-award winning makeup artist Lesley Vanderwalt, who has just won an Oscar and a BAFTA for Best Makeup & Hairstyling for her work in Mad Max: Fury Road, SFX master Nik Dorning, and top Australian hair and makeup artist Helen Magelaki.
“During the Make-up Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards ceremony in LA, I personally thanked ACMUSE and their students for their help on Mad Max: Fury Road,” says Lesley Vanderwalt. “I always come to ACMUSE when I have work experience; some students have gone on to become my assistants. I believe the standard and training at ACMUSE to be the best in Australia. I wish ACMUSE all the best in Melbourne and look forward to working with their Melbourne students when I am next in Victoria.”
As founder of Bluebird FX, SFX and prosthetics makeup artist, Nik Dorning is also excited about the news of the new Melbourne campus opening.
“Even when I ran my own make-up college, I would recommend ACMUSE,” says Nik Dorning. “Their curriculum is second to none, with time dedicated to all areas of professional study, especially prosthetics and FX. ACMUSE has always led the field, keeping pace with the latest changes in film technology. I have no doubt that the new ACMUSE Melbourne campus will deliver the best education possible.”
Leading Melbourne-based hair and makeup artist, Helen Magelaki is also excited about the new campus. “ACMUSE is the best thing to happen to Melbourne!” says Helen. “Whenever someone asks me where to do a course, I tell him or her to go to ACMUSE, because the college provides students with everything they need for a flourishing career. Course content is always up to date with industry practices and really does cover everything you need to know to be a make-up artist, they use the latest products, have excellent trainers and great work experience opportunities. I’m behind the courses 150 per cent. To put it simply, ACMUSE is the only Australian Make-up & Special Effects College I recommend.”
The new Australian College of Make-Up and Special Effects (ACMUSE) Melbourne campus will be located at 260 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065. For more information about course offerings, go to www.makeupcollege.com.au