All posts by tara@costumes.org

Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 22: Optional Extra Credit: Photograph Your Funny Faces for up to 10 extra points 

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

Making a collage:

Once you have practiced making funny faces for a while you can make an extra credit PicCollage. of your faces and get  up to 10 points for it.  This is not required, this is just a fun way to get spare points.  

PicCollage of Tara doing 12 Different Emotions

You can choose to do a series of exaggerated emotions like the set I do here, ————->

or you can do a series of face stretches where you focus on the particular muscles that move the parts of your face. 

Need Help with Face Stretching?

If you are still having trouble doing face stretches there are two European acting teachers in the video below who will teach you how to flex your face like putty (this is a funny video, but you mainly need it if you are having difficulty with flexing your face and want to learn more of how to do this):

This type of exercise can let you make all sorts of face muscle stretches like this:

Collage of Tara stretching the muscles of the face.

How to do this project:

Take your phone and take a lot of pictures of your face as you try to pull each of the muscles of your face as far as you can.  Try to:

  • Raise both your eyebrows as high as they can go
  • Lift one eyebrow
  • Crunch your brows close together like you have a terrible headache
  • Make you eyes wide and big as possible
  • Crunch up your nose like you smell something very bad
  • Raise one nostril
  • Grin as wide as you can with teeth clenched
  • Pull your lips into a small pucker
  • Try to touch your nose with your upper lip
  • Pull the corners of your mouth down and your lower lip out
  • Try to crinkle the corners of your eyes.

Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t do movement as extreme as I do.  I am now over 60 and I have been practicing pulling faces in the mirror since I was 2 (and I still can’t lift just one eyebrow).  Results will vary by where you grew up, who you grew up with, your temperament, your family, your facial expression recognition, your friends, your genes, and your age. Most of all it will vary by practice.  The more you do it the better you will get at it.

If on the other hand, you are still having fun:

I suggest you watch Jason Hewlett, a man who has made a very successful performing career built on the foundation of being able to do this (Watch this one even if you don’t think you “need” it, as it will teach you face tricks you likely have not seen before, with an explanation of how to eventually do them):

His motivational speaker talks are even better.  But now it is time to…

Take photos of emotions:

Then do a series of photos where you try to show the most extreme emotion you can show.  There is a list below to give you ideas. If you have a neurological difficulty recognizing just facial expressions, you can try copying them from this awesome Emotions and Facial Expressions chart.

There is also a handy lecture on the 7 “Universal” facial expressions, that will demonstrate them for you.  While most of you are lucky enough to just understand intuitively what they mean, it is very helpful for actors and for life in general if you know exactly what muscles you need to move to correctly to “fake” these emotions on cue.  One of the most important skills to learn in life, and one most people do not learn, is how to “fake” the smile of genuine enjoyment on cue, simply by doing the correct eye-crinkle.  Being able to flash this at people when they need reassurance (or on stage) is a great way for getting people to like you.  The best bit is when you do it, it bio-feedbacks to your own brain as well and actually makes you feel a little bit good too:

However, you need more than 7 emotions for a good face grid, so to try to do:

  • Joy
  • Fear
  • Anger
  • Sadness
  • Confusion
  • Contempt
  • Disgust
  • Smugness
  • Surprise
  • WTF?
  • Amusement
  • Annoyance
  • Dislike
  • etc.

Choose your collage theme:

Look through the photos and decide which of the two groups you want to use for your collage:

Phone Gallery of face images

Making the collage on your phone:

Download the free version of the phone app PicCollage, or any other free (and easy to use) collage-maker app you can find to work with your phone, tablet or laptop. 

 In PicCollage, open Grids:

PicCollage Opening Screen

Pick a grid  with space for at least 9 images.

Grid chosing screen on PicCollage

Select the photos to put into the grid.

Selecting images in PicCollage

Arrange the photos to taste and click on the check mark to go to Save or Share Screen. 

Finished Collage with face pictures

On the Save or Share Screen, save the finished Collage to your Library. 

Uploading Your Photos to Canvas:

Then go to the share options below, and clip on the lower right hand circle with three black dots for “More”

Save & Share Screen on PicCollage

This will make the screen show you all the apps you can share with, including Canvas Student.  Select Canvas Student.

The PicCollage Screen for "More"

Choose Introduction to Stage Makeup, followed by the name of this assignment:  “Photograph Your Funny Faces” and upload to turn in.

PicCollage screen showing your Classes in Canvas

And for your amusement..,

Grumpy Cat Emotion chart. A grid of identical cat faces ironically labeled with different emotions.

Funny Face Grid

CriteriaRatingsPts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome:
Did you follow instructions?
Did you Finish?
Were you putting sincere effort into being silly?		10 pts There are 9 or more pictures, you are doing your best to be funny (or stretchy), and the pictures are in a grid.

6 pts 9 or more does not mean 8 or less. Your faces are legit funny, but there are not 9 or more of them.

2 pts OK I get the joke but, that is not the assignment This assignment should not resemble the “Grumpy Cat Emotion Chart”
10 pts
Total Points: 10
Uncategorized

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 21: “Corrective”/Straight Makeup [Assignment}

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

Handsome DVC Makeup Class student with beautifully contoured "Corrective" makeup.

After you have watched the videos in class or online, and done your research on “corrective” makeup, come to class and do your makeup with help from me and the Makeup TA’s.  Tara will do your photo shoot.   Tell me if you are OK with just picking them up from the general Drama 112 Stage Makeup Fall 2022  Google Photo Album, or if you prefer, I text or email them to you privately. After you get the photos, pick a few you like best and post them here for credit.  This will remind your fearless instructor to give you points!

If for some reason you can’t be in class, do the assignment at home as soon as possible and post stuff here also for credit.   

Late assignments do not lose points in this class, but repeated procrastination messes up your life and often your work quality. 

Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class, STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 20: How to Take Great Photos of Your Makeup!

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

In class I (and eventually the TA’s)  will take your photos for you in the hallway.  However, if at some point you miss a week and need to catch up at home, you should come back here and re-watch this video, or if a member of your household will mostly take your photos, make them watch this too:

If you know you will be doing several projects at home, try to find some of of the useful objects (black t-shirt, etc) that may help you to make better pictures in the coming weeks. 

Here is an optional video on how to make a good acting head shot:

Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class, STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 19: Corrective Makeup Research: Contour for Your Face Shape [Assignment]

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

By this week you conveniently have a copy of your face outline sheet.  This outline can help you to work out what is your face shape. Compare your face shape to the following tutorials:

Link to: Common face shapes for men,

When you think you know your face shape, do an online search for “How to contour for a  fill in the blank  shape face. ”  You can also try looking at Pinterest Contouring Tutorials.  Gather together face chart source material  for inspiration.    The internet is filled with TONS of great how to pages and videos on this topic so you can easily learn more. Copy a part of your research (photo, link, etc) and submit below  to get credit. Remember afterwards to also to save your research for putting  in your Makeup Morgue Assignment so you build up your morgue gradually and easily over the course of the semester.  Use information from your search for contour advice/charts to inform your plans for your “corrective” makeup.

Classes, Distance Education, How-to, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class, STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 18: Watch “Corrective”/Straight Makeup Video(s)!

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

This is the official class how-to video, naturally, it is an awesome how-to for a “corrective” style makeup for a white woman in her late 40s, with a rectangular face, short nose, and scary eyebrows (me when I recorded it).  However, if you are not these things, you may well wish to watch other videos, either in addition to, or in place of this official one:

Happily, I have found a number of other videos of different sorts of basic theatrical makeup for different types of performance and different types of faces!  Scroll down to see if you find any you think you’d like to watch!

Not enough videos?  These and more are at my Corrective/Straight Theatrical Makeup Playlist.

Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class, STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 17: Activities: “Corrective” Makeup

What is “Corrective “Makeup?

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

Handsome young man from a past DVC Makeup class with simple but deftly applied contour to look even more fabulous while on stage and seen at a distance.

This week you will be learning how to do “Corrective” Makeup , sometimes called Straight Makeup. This is the makeup you do when you are on stage and just trying to look generally nice, and not doing a lot of aging or character work to look a great deal different from yourself.  You will be highlighting and shadowing a bit, and “correcting” things that are distinctive enough about your face that they could make you stand out too much in a chorus line. 

Before we do this, I wish to again remind you, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR FACE.  “Corrective” makeup “fixes” things that might make you stand out too much in the back of the chorus.  You won’t be using it if you are blessed by playing Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, or Gloucester in Richard III, the Fool in Lear, or Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd. “Corrective” makeup is for looking bland, pretty and young.  It is super useful for that (especially as you get older), but it is not fixing something “wrong”, it is making you look bland, pretty and young.  That’s it.

While this video is not actually a tutorial on contour/”corrective” makeup, it is a pretty splendid, occasionally profane comedy riff on what “contour” is for in the real world.

 This week you will watch a video in class or online where I show you how I do my “corrective” makeup, or IF YOU CHOOSE, you may instead (or in addition to) select one or more other videos I have linked here online where people closer to your age, gender identity or coloration do their Straight Makeup or “Corrective” Makeup. 

You will then be assigned to go online and research “corrective” makeup tips especially helpful for faces in your shape, gender identity, and skin color range.   To help with this, I have made a page of useful links and videos that you can use to start mining for much of the information you need. 

If you are in Group 1 you will do a “Corrective” makeup in class on Wednesday, if in group 2 you will do it the following Monday.  Have me take your photos before you leave, which I will post to the group album or text to you as you request. 

If for any reason you need to do your makeup at home you should watch my video on how to take photos of your makeupLinks to an external site. so that your selfies look fabulous.

PreviousNext

Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class, STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 16: Learning Objectives: Straight or “Corrective” Makeup Week

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

This Week’s Learning Objectives:Outcomes we will use to get there:
Learn basic straight/”corrective” makeup needed for many stage roles. Learn to take better photos for your portfolio. Bond with your fellow students in a less tedious way than class zooms or message boards. Start to develop a portfolio for job-hunting.Do a straight/”corrective” makeup on your face (or that of a volunteer). Watch how-to videos and take headshots based on the lessons. Start making and sharing “Pass-the-Brush” videos. Post your projects to Portfolium.
Mona Lisa Slideshow
Classes, Distance Education, Stage Makeup Class, STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES

Stage Makeup Class Pages 15: Week 2 Schedule: “Corrective”

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC. If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need for your classes].

•Fill in Date:  Group 1: View “Corrective” and Your Self Only More So Videos in the Men’s Dressing Room. Group 2: Watch The Human Face Part 1

•HOMEWORK: GO ONLINE AND RESEARCH CORRECTIVE MAKEUP TIPS ESPECIALLY HELPFUL FOR FACES IN YOUR SHAPE, GENDER IDENTITY, AND COLOR RANGE.

•Fill in Date: Group 1: Bring in evidence of research on “Corrective” makeup.  “Corrective” Makeup, completed in class. Group 2: View “Corrective”and Your Self Only More So Videos in the Men’s Dressing Room. 

  • NOTE: Fill in Date IS THE LAST DAY TO DROP WITH A REFUND!

And, as always, post your photos of all assignments to the Canvas assignment pages so I remember to give you points!

Classes, Distance Education, Stage Makeup Class, STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES

Stage Makeup Class Pages 14: Congratulations on Making it to the End of Week 1!

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC. If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need for your classes. –TM].

This week you have been stuffed with a lot of information about this course,   You have accomplished:

Classes, Distance Education, Stage Makeup Class, STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES

Stage Makeup Class Pages 13: Optional Extra Credit: Making Your Face Outline Sheets for Makeup Renderings: Pt 1 – Selfie

Step 1: Watch these Videos

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC. If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need for your classes. –TM].

In the Face to Face class, making face outline sheets for you is a service I provide.  However, if you are thinking of becoming a makeup artist knowing how to do this can be a useful career skill. If you wish to learn it, as well as rack up extra credit points (5) for this optional task, and more points for the next step (the later optional Pt 2), this is how you can do it.  THIS IS NOT REQUIRED.  

These two brief videos explain what we have been doing, and what we will do next, and why:

As you can see, having copies of a face outline sheet of your face (or a friend who you plan to use during the semester as your makeup “victim”) will make doing your makeup rendering (color sketch) projects much easier.  So for this assignment you will do the first step to make one:

Step 2: Take a Selfie

Take a selfie where your face and head take up almost the whole frame. (Remove your glasses if you wear them!)

Color photo of face of Tara with bland facial expression.

Don’t squint, or grin, or frown, try to look as bland as a deer in headlights: eyes wide open but no expression. (And no glasses). This way, when you use the outline sheet for makeup of different characters,  the face does not have you cheery and grinning as Lady Macbeth, or frowning like a demon as Little Buttercup:

Detail of Lady Macbeth by John Singer Sargent
George Sheringham Costume Rendering for Little Buttercup in HMS Pinafore at © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
  • Detail of Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth by John Singer Sargent, National Portrait Gallery, London. 
  • 1929 George Sheringham Costume Rendering for Little Buttercup in HMS Pinafore at © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Step 3: Convert to B&W

Convert the photo to High Contrast Black & White. This makes drawing it easier, regardless of your skin tone!  If your skin is dark and having trouble going into the format, try putting your photo into a different app where you can pull your midtone color lighter to help you make the outline.  (These photos generally do not make anyone look good, in fact, most look awful, they just need to be contrast-y enough that they are easy to outline on a window or light board.)

Same photo of Tara being converted into high contrast B&W version.

Step 4: Print the Photo

Print out your photo on plain copy paper. Save a copy (of the high contrast version) to your photos that you can upload.

Step 5: Upload Your Photo

To get your credit for Part 1, upload a copy of your Black & White photo below.  While the points are listed as 0 (because it is not required) you will get 5 points of extra credit that can help your grade total.

Click “Next” to go on