Michelle Michaelson
Peter Philips the Creative Director for Dior with Michelle at Natalie Portmans Dior launch in Tokyo
I learnt my craft working with top photographers, directors, models and performers. I was lucky enough that my training occurred in a high demand industry where everything had to be exactly right before the shot was taken. I developed the ability to create photoshop like results because of this in strict time-frames.
I trained with Frankilin Chaloner ‘The Makeup Man from New York – Makeup Artist to the Stars’. Franklin was Training Director for Helena Rubinstein and worked with top movie stars like Joan Crawford amongst all the glamour and style of Hollywood. One of my emerging career highlights was winning the Franklin International College of Beauty’s Top Makeup Artist Award.
I went on to work for Channel Ten, where I received acclaim for my high-level skill-set and my professionalism, my attention to detail and perfect finish. This naturally led to beginning my freelance work for most of the TV Networks in Brisbane and I also explored my creative side by getting involved in experimental photography projects with young photographers. I first discovered my passion for teaching in the early 90s when I was asked by Lyndall Meredith (famous Australian model of the 70s) and owner of Meredith Casting and Model Management to teach makeup, grooming and deportment class for the models on her books.
I’ve had an amazing career to date, with so much variety and love my job. I’ve worked 20+ model live runway shows where I have designed makeup looks to showcase the designer’s creations. I’ve worked backstage in theatre and the fashion industry, in wardrobe, makeup and styling. I was fortunate to work with Miranda Kerr early in her career. I’ve worked on video clips, photoshoots and on tour in Australia, US and Canada with some of Australia’s most successful rock acts of the time like Divinyls, Chrissy Amphlett, and the Screaming Jets and more recently Tyrone Noonan (George) and Sahara Beck as hair and makeup artist, wardrobe and stylist. I’ve also worked for David Anderson, one of the photographers for Australian Idol.
I’ve also worked in film with many Australian Directors including Australian writer Steven Sewell on his direct debut. I’ve worked with HD camera technology and up-to-date film industry technology. I completed two feature films and award-winning short film.
I absolutely love to share all the knowledge I have gained over my years of work in make-up. I am passionate about training high-quality makeup artists that are industry-ready, highly skilled and sought after whether as freelance artists or following their makeup dreams with well-known makeup companies. My classroom is a fun environment where we work hard and apply attention to detail in every aspect of makeup from fashion to film.
Danielle Lyth
My passion for makeup is what initially inspired my career in the beauty industry, now spanning 20 years. I trained as a beauty therapist on the Gold Coast and shortly after moved to Tropical North Queensland where I continued my journey in Beauty. I spent a number of years training the Diploma of Beauty Therapy and opened my first Studio soon after where my makeup and hair business successfully grew faster than I had anticipated. I was drawn to the abundant Wedding industry here in our region and began to focus specifically on that. I absolutely love and continue to nurture the creativity within the hair and makeup industry by continually learning. The world of makeup artistry is ever-evolving which is an exciting journey in itself. I have been fortunate enough over the last 13 years to have a successful career as a makeup artist and hairstylist and work alongside and train with some incredible talents.
I have engaged in a wide variety of work, including events, corporate, editorial and photoshoots.
I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences in a fun and creative environment while ensuring that you embark on your new career as a professional makeup artist armed with the knowledge and confidence to take on any role in our expansive industry.
Bree Logan
Bree is an internationally experienced Gold Coast based makeup artist. With almost 10 years of industry experience and an IMDB credit, her work has spanned from bridal makeups and school formals to feature films, short films, TV commercials, music videos, and theatre productions.
Bree has completed a diploma in specialist makeup services as well as an international diploma in fashion, theatre and media makeup. After completing these, she went on to study a Certificate IV in training and assessing. Bree has worked closely with hair styling teams, collaborating with photographers, models and hairstylists from all over the country, designing makeup looks for events with De Lorenzo and companies alike. Bree has also been recognised for her work as a state makeup artist for Cosmopolitan Models and the Miss World Australia state and national finals.
During her time on the Gold Coast, Bree has been working with Village Roadshow Entertainment as the head of the makeup department at Movie World for their Fright Night events. During these events, Bree has a team of almost 150 makeup artists working under her and around 300 actors to be made up each night.
Most recently with Village Roadshow Theme Parks, Bree had the opportunity to travel to China as the makeup design consultant and subject matter expert for the new Lionsgate Entertainment World theme park. Here, Bree completed designs associated with Lionsgate intellectual property and trained the local makeup team.
Jess Lynn
I am Jessica Lynn and I specialise in special effects makeup. I am self-taught and began doing
this just over 5 years ago kind of by accident. It has become my passion and has taken me on a
very colourful and exciting journey.
My plan at Demi International is to bring SFX to life with my humour, passion and madness! There
are no limits to what can be done with SFX and the ride it can take you on is filled with laughter,
blood, guts, gore, glitter and creatures! I can guarantee there won’t be one boring moment as I am
here to shake things up and show my students just how amazing the world of SPFX can be!
I began by experimenting with makeup on myself- seeing how far I could push the boundaries of SFX and how much I could transform myself. I took to posting my looks on social media and got an overwhelming response that encouraged me further along my journey. I got myself a camera and started to take some pretty crazy photos of my monsters. I call this gig
“Creepy Captures”.
I got my first ongoing paid MUA job at the Cairns Dinner Theatre for their “Little Restaurant of Horrors” in which I would build prosthetics and transform between 6-11 people into horrific monsters for the show. Eventually, I became a clown with 3 mouths and joined in the scaring, because it just looked like too much fun!
Since then I have worked with bands on film clips, worked on TV commercials, zombie shuffle, short and feature films and held my own exhibition called the “Freakshow”. I’ve worked with so many incredible people and enjoyed every single moment of it! My last big job was a feature film I co-produced, co-wrote, co-directed, starred in and did the SPFX makeup in. I’ve worked at festivals, been a rent-a-clown, private party, the list goes on.
In all, I run on laughter, creativity and passion and I am keen to inspire my students to get amongst
it!
Chad Atkinson
For 25 years, Chad has worked professionally in the Los Angeles Special FX industry for film and television. He’s worked on an impressive list of films, including, Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, Oscar-winning movies like The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and won an Emmy for his work on HBO’s The Pacific. Chad currently co-operates a Special FX studio on the GoldCoast called Stingray Sushi Studios with co- Emmy winner Jac Charlton. Chad uses techniques used in today’s film effects-world and teaches in a very hands-on approach of materials. Each student will design, sculpt, mould and apply their silicone appliance. Basic techniques in colour and application will be addressed.
Chad teaches an exclusive 3 day intensive of the key processes and techniques in creating character prosthetic makeups in silicone for Demi International Makeup Academy Students
This is a course developed by Chad Atkinson who has created a local culture on the Gold Coast of his Advanced Prosthetics Workshop, Short Shop Workshop and the popular Bloodlines, Bladders and Blowup Heads course. You can see more of Chad’s work @chadatkinsonfxartist
Sue Kim
Sue Kim is very well-known in the makeup industry in Cairns. Her incredible special effects work (SPFX) and photoshoots have given her the reputation as one of the best in the industry. She’s had a long history working with filmmakers, photographers and donating her time for causes that matter. You can see more of Sue’s work @special_fx_art
