From James Watt College to River City

Summary: A former James Watt College student is getting up-close-and-personal with the stars after bagging herself a job on River City.

A former James Watt College student is getting up-close-and-personal with the stars after bagging herself a job on River City.

Nina Blake couldn’t believe her luck when she was offered the position of trainee make-up artist on the hit BBC TV soap.

For the next few months the 22 year old will be making sure some of the biggest and best names on the show are kept perfectly in character throughout filming.

Nina, who lives in Glasgow, said: “I’m delighted to be working on such a great TV programme. I decided to apply for the job because I’ve always had an interest in working in TV or theatre. I also live nearby and knew that this was regarded as one of the best trainee jobs in Scotland.”

“When I arrived on my first day it was a bit daunting. I suppose, like any other new job, everyone knows each other and it can be quite frightening, but I’ve settled right in and am finding the whole experience really rewarding.”

“A lot of the work is very high pressure. I work in two separate locations and, as well as working with the cast members, I also do a lot of administrative work in areas such as continuity.”

“Getting to see stories far in advance of broadcast can be really interesting. At the moment we’re completing filming on Christmas and New Year scenes. It was certainly challenging getting the cast members to look festive and cold when we were in the height of a short heat-wave!”

Nina, who studied the HND make-up artistry, is one of several students who’ve used the highly regarded qualification to develop exciting careers in the field.

Make-up artistry lecturer Isobel Donald commented: “James Watt College has a rich history in providing courses tailored specifically for the make-up and beauty industries.”

“Nina is a great example of how the courses arm students with the skills required in today’s demanding world of work. The HND make-up artistry focuses heavily on TV and theatre with both practical and theoretical work.”

“We also offer a wide range of other courses at various levels focussing on areas such as hairdressing and beauty therapy.”

Industry feedback

Feedback from
Georgina Pelosi
Senior Beauty Team Artist

From the time I have spent with the Artists and yourself who previously studied at James Watt college, whom I have worked with many times in Frasers in Glasgow over the last 3 years, I can truly say have an exceptionally high level of skill in makeup artistry. This is combined with knowledge of all technical aspects and industry standards.
When I presented the Bobbi Brown Makeup Masterclass in September I found the students to be extremely interactive, interested and passionate about all topics we covered, Some students continued this with a personal interest in my career and asked lots of advice after the session.
Finally, I wish to say it was a pleasure to represent the Bobbi Brown Artistry Team at James Watt, I look forward to coming back again in the future.


Feedback from
Paul Herrington

Head of Artistry

Bobbi Brown

-“I have worked with James Watt college for around 3 years now where I have been able to meet the students and talk to them about my time in the industry.

I have always been impressed with the enthusiasm shown by the students and it is obvious that they are passionate about the work they do and are keen to progress in the makeup artist industry.

I believe the college offers a strong course and sets up the students in the best possible way to be a success when they leave. I know that many have gone on to work for Bobbi Brown and have become some of our strongest artists in our studios.”

Feedback from
Sarah Cairncross

During my years working as a make-up artist in industry there have been many projects in film and theatre where I have required assistants. My first port of call is always James Watt College. The thorough grounding in all areas of make up artistry that is provided at J W C is essential in equipping these students with the skills and knowledge they need to survive in a demanding professional environment.

I feel that the passion and dedication of the team of tutors J.W.C is so lucky to have in this department have really raised the bar on the standards expected from students on the course. I know first hand the lengths tutor Isobel Donald will go to to ensure that her students are up to date with all the latest developments happening in industry and it certainly pays off. In the 6 years I have been recruiting students from J.W.C I have never had cause for concern or complaint. I've only ever been impressed by their confidence and ability to handle the pressures and challenges the job involves in the real world, they've been a credit to the college and their tutors. It also has to be noted that this has been a consistent achievement of which I am very grateful to have benefited from in working with these students on productions I am involved in from all over the world. I have gone on to recommend these students for professional jobs with complete confidence and peace of mind which is the result of such excellent training.

Feedback from
Rhona Ferguson
Advanced Artist
Bobbi Brown Uk

Working with James Watt College over the past few years has been a rewarding experience.
Through the hard work, passion and determination shown from staff to educate their students has been proven year in, year out.  Having witnessed the drive from the lecturers to give the best seminars and workshops from industry professionals shows real dedication.
Knowing up and coming Make-up Artists are receiving the best industry exposure, means that they stand in good stead to be the best they can be.

Feedback from
Sharron Carey - A Team Artist For Bobbi Brown

Having worked with James Watt College on several occasion now, I am always impressed with the professional attitude and the artistic abilities of both students and lectureres.
The students are always interactive and have a thirst for knowledge that I feel reflects the passion of the lecturers. Working in the industry for many years now, I am always approached
about about where to study make-up artistry and due to my positive experiences with the students and lecturers at James Watt College, I don't think twice about recommending this college and course.

Kayleigh Sutherland Up Date

Kayleigh Sutherland up date

Kayleigh has now had the opportunity to have her contract extended with the Sydney Opera House in Australia. Kayleigh has been  working on world renowned productions such as ‘’La Boheme’’, The Merry Widow, Don Giovanni and is currently working in Melbourne in the Victoria Arts centre on The Mikado

Quote from Kayleigh

“Sydney is wonderful; my time in OZ has been amazing”

Make-Up Masterclass With Artist To The Stars

Aspiring make up artists from across the West of Scotland gathered at James Watt College for a masterclass from a renowned industry professional. Georgina Pelosi, Global Beauty Team Artist at Bobbi Brown and make up artist to the stars, shared her tricks of the trade with students from James Watt College, Reid Kerr College.

As one of the most in-demand make up artists in the industry, Georgina works on high profile runway shows and red carpet events

Direct from New York Fashion Week, Georgina relayed her experiences with the students via video footage. She also shared his insider tips, demonstrated the best techniques to use and advised the students on the latest trends in the industry. She was joined at the seminar by other members of the Bobbi Brown team from Glasgow Frasers.

Morven Aikman, Curriculum Manager and Makeup Artistry Lecturer at James Watt College commented "We were pleased to welcome students and staff from other colleges; we work very hard at collaborating with other centres and as good practice we link regularly throughout the year

"Bobbi Brown is one of the most famous and high-quality brands in the world so we are proud of our close links and great relationships with them. Isobel Donald, one of our lecturers here at the college is also a member of the Glasgow Bobbi Brown team so our students benefit from her excellent links and experience within the industry.

"James Watt College is one of only four colleges in Scotland to offer the HND in Make-up Artistry, so we get a lot of students joining us from all over the country to continue their studies. This annual event is a highlight for our students, who have this excellent opportunity to listen to and ask questions to someone who has worked at the top of the beauty industry for 20 years."

http://www.jameswatt.ac.uk/makeup_showcase/index.html

Make-Up Students Inspired In Milan

A group of make-up artistry students from James Watt College recently experienced a full taste of fashion on an educational trip to Milan.

The 17 HNC Fashion Make-up and HND Make-up Artistry students immersed themselves in the fashion capital of Europe for 4 days, absorbing the culture, style and trends to inspire them in their studies.
The students experienced a tour of the fashion houses, including Armani’s flagship department store, a cultural walk through the old city and a backstage tour of La Scala, the world renowned opera house.
Sammi-Jo Stott, aged 19 from Port Glasgow commented “The Milan trip was such a great experience and very inspirational. For our graded unit we have to choose someone under the fashion umbrella who inspires us to base our project around, and the visit gave me lots of ideas to take back to college.”
Katie Ford, aged 19 from Greenock, said “I enjoyed the museums and learning about the history of fashion and make-up. I got lots of ideas for looks that I could create myself.” Despite being deaf and not having a signer with her, Katie thoroughly enjoyed the experience and added “the whole trip was amazing”.
Isobel Donald, Make-up Artistry lecturer at the college commented “The trip was great for course enrichment and staff and student morale. Make-up artist students need to be able to create a ‘total look’ for a model and be aware of current up-to-date trends in the fashion industry. Therefore educational tours such is this are important for students to gain an insight into the industry as a whole.”

Posted: Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Makeup Artistry Students Exhibit at Oran Mor

Posted: Friday, 06 May 2011

Final year make-up artist students from James Watt College put on a spectacular exhibit of their work in a live presentation in the stunning surroundings of the Oran Mor in Glasgow recently.

The event, which is a culmination of the students’ work over the last two years, was a chance for the students to flaunt their skills to industry contacts, potential employers and professional photographers.
Real models were used for the students to present their chosen look, selected from character make-up, period or special effects. The final result was a dramatic display ranging from gory horror special effects to the fairytales of the Queen of Diamonds and the Mad Hatter; from over-the-top make-up of drag queens to the subtlety of war-time women – the show had something for everyone.
Make-up Artist lecturer at the college, Maureen Manley, commented “The lecturers were absolutely delighted at the very high standard of work on display. The students had to style every part of the model to perfect their look – hair, clothes and make-up, in addition to creating their own background settings. This is an excellent one-off chance for our students to network with professionals from the industry, show off their portfolios, gain contacts and give out their business cards.
“Many of our previous students have managed to gain employment through the event, and I’m sure after the industry-standard work on display, many of this years students will benefit also.”
Professional photographer, Amanda Hemphill from Amanda Hemphill photography commented “It was a pleasure to capture the wonderful work of the James Watt College make-up artist students in the Oran Mor. I was extremely impressed with the dramatic looks created and the amount of time and effort they had obviously put in to create their individual looks. I spoke with many of the students on the evening and hope to work with some of them in the future on different projects.”
Photographs taken by Amanda Hemphill Photography. Contact Amanda Hamphill Photography via facebook page

James Watt College Graduates Showcase Innovation In Glitz And Glamour

Posted: Monday, 02 May 2011

Two James Watt College graduates are giving back to the institution which helped them achieve success in the hair and beauty world. Backed by the likes of T in the Park, Vivienne Westwood and Michelle McManus of STV’s The Hour, Smujj studio are coming back to the college to share their secrets with its current crop of students.

Heather Gault, 27 from Greenock, and Jane Hamilton, 23 of Paisley, forged a friendship over a shared love of old school glitz and glamour, founding Smujj Studio in March 2010. Proving that hard work begins at home the girls, who studied HNC and HND Make-up artistry, first set up shop in Heather’s bedroom. However, their new business soon took off, propelling the girls into their very own city-based studio, conveniently positioned at the end of Glasgow’s Style Mile in St Enoch’s Square.
In the past year their skill and innovation has rewarded them work at the Electric Frog Festival and Club Noir, and most recently a musical collaboration with Glasgow band Selective Service. Michelle McManus liked the looks Smujj created for her so much she used them for her promotional shots in London, later appearing on the cover of Scottish Woman Magazine.
The girls will be returning to the college to demonstrate to budding hair and make up artists how to create styles that range from simple wedding make up to the extravagant over-the-top looks seen at nights like Club Noir. Offering use of their studio and in-house photographer, the girls will help students build their portfolios by giving them professional photographs of the looks they create.
Jane Hamilton, one half of the talented duo, commented: “Heather and I really wanted to put our skills into practice, and with the great personal relationship we have, decided to go for it in setting up our own business.
“We were initially inspired by Isobel Donald, our lecturer at the college, whose passion for the trade made us realise our dreams of becoming professional hair and make up artists. We learned from Isobel that it is vital to have an understanding of the full creative package, and that is something we want to show to the college’s current students.
“Being only too aware of how important it is to have a good portfolio, we want to give them the opportunity to do that. We will also show the students some secret tricks of the trade that they can use in whilst they study and in their future careers. When we were at college we never had access to anything external like this, and we are eager to give back to the establishment that shaped our careers.”

Bobbie Brown Make up Seminar

Posted: Thursday, 28 April 2011

Students studying Make-up Artistry at James Watt College had the chance to hone their skills recently when they attended a Bobbi Brown make-up seminar at The House of Frasers in Glasgow.

Professional Bobbi Brown make-up artists performed various make-up demonstrations for the students, followed by question and answers sessions. The students were even allowed to try and test the products for themselves.
Isobel Donald, make-up artistry lecturer at the college, said: “James Watt College is the only Scottish college to enjoy close links to Bobbi Brown. Students benefit from seminars and events, both in the college and out in industry surroundings like the House of Frasers. Maintaining industry links with high-profile companies such as Bobbi Brown are important for our learners to gain a valuable insight into real-work experiences. The students benefited greatly from hearing about the background and experiences of make-up artists Sharon and Rhona and finding out how they got to where they are today.”
Sharon Carey, Bobbi Brown make-up artist commented “Seminars such as these are good for the students, they tend to take in lots as it is a something different to what they are used to. The James Watt College students were really interested and eager to learn; they are very passionate about what they do.
“Bobbi Brown only recruits qualified make-up artists or people with proven experience in beauty. We have close links to James Watt College and previous graduates have joined us in permanent roles.”

A Dream Job

A James Watt College graduate has landed her dream job less than one year after graduating, having secured a six-month hair and make-up artistry position at the Sydney Opera House with The Australian Opera Company.

Kayleigh Sutherland (22), from Edinburgh, studied HND Make-up Artistry, graduating in June 2010. During and after her studies, she built an impressive portfolio working with the Edinburgh Festival, T in the Park, the Scottish Opera and BBC Scotland.
Given the opportunity to do make-up and wig work with the Edinburgh Festival through her Make-up Artistry lecturer Isobel Donald, Kayleigh provided assistance to the Australian Opera Company in summer 2010. When a position arose with the Company a few months later, Kayleigh, having kept in contact with the Head Make-up artist, was recommended and offered the post.
Kayleigh will be making the move overseas to pursue a career in theatrical and special effects make-up artistry at the end of April, where she will be working at the iconic Sydney Opera House then on to a stint at the Melbourne Arts Centre.
Kayleigh, who credits this opportunity to the support network provided to her by the College lecturers, commented: “I have always had an interest in arts and crafts but was unsure what to do after leaving school. After my friend recommended the course at James Watt College, I applied.
“A few days into the course at James Watt, I knew this was the career I wanted to pursue. It merges all my interests, and I love how there isn’t a focus on one specific thing – you learn everything from wig-making to understanding how the make-up works with the outfits.
“Initially I wanted to practice in special effects, however later realised theatre work was where my interests lay. The spectacle and drama of it really lends itself to the over the top make-up looks that I tend to create.
“I found the lecturers brilliant and really encouraging. They supplied us with industry contacts which we would get work experience from. If it wasn’t for this, I wouldn’t have been given this once in a lifetime opportunity to work with the Australian Opera Company. My experience at the College really did open me up to a world of opportunity.”