FIGURES in the screen industry are being urged to look out for York’s rising stars who have ‘gone above and beyond’ to hone their skills during the pandemic.

Aspiring make-up artists for film and television, studying at York College, have reacted and adapted with resilience to the challenges faced from learning at home.

The latest cohort is definitely one to watch, said Sharon Barrington, lead for the BA (Hons) course in media make-up, special effects and hair design for film and TV.

York Press:

York College media make-up student Charlotte’s penguin body art design for her final brief

Students have produced striking result for wide-ranging briefs from zombies to classic elegance, special effects make-up, face casting, body art, hairdressing and prosthetics.

They have been developing skills from afar, transforming bedrooms into workshops and relying on virtual contact with tutors at the college, which provided supplies such as human hair wigs over lockdown.

York Press:

A carnival clown, created by Amelia, for York College’s BA (Hons) course in media make-up, special effects and hair design for film and TV. 

Sharon said the students came from across the region, from Durham to Selby and Hull, to study the course which has three levels up to the BA honours course.

“They are given several briefs and produce these wonderful images from concept to design. They manage their own finances, time management, problem solving.”

York Press:

York College: Clare striking a pose for B&W photography brief

Sharon spoke as a panel member at the Harrogate Film Festival about the skills gap in the region, and how lockdowns had affected her students, and said her key message to the industry was: “Watch out for the 2020/21 cohort because they have been resilient, they have adapted to change well. The skills are there. They have gone above and beyond what’s expected.”

York College University Centre is a member of Screen Yorkshire’s Connected Campus network for FE & HE colleges, giving students greater access to industry professionals.

Sharon said: “It has given us direct links with talent managers at the BBC, Channel 4 and Netflix. It is a huge industry and this is a micro-industry in itself. We have really developed the course over the last few years and the work is getting better and better.”

York Press:

An eye-catching look, by Darcy, for a history of art brief.