About
=Early Life=
My interest and fascination with the arts industry began when I was at school. This is where I studied Fine-Art and had the initial ambition to become an illustrator before I discovered Special Effects and Media Make-Up.
I attended Boston College back in my home town from 2015-2016. Over the two years of studying, I found that there was so much more to the design industry than I’d realized; my mind was open to the opportunity to discover new ways of working and developing my skills.
It was at this time that I was introduced to Special Effects and Media Make-Up.
Looking back now, it’s almost unbelievable that I was not a fan of the sculpture aspect of the effects industry when I began my studies at college; however, I quickly fell in love with it after practicing almost every hour of every day. I found that creating characters that I had personally designed was one of the most rewarding things I’d experienced; I knew instantly I wanted this to be part of my future.
Alongside creation and ambition came my inspiration for the art; this was in the form of incredible Special Effects and Media-Make-Up artists such as Stuart Bray, Thomas Suprenant, Steve Wang, Kate Benton, Vivian Baker, Donald Mowat and Mona Turnbull. These names shaped and moulded my vision for my future and influenced my choices in following the pathway to my own career in Special Effects & Media Make-Up.
During my first year at college, I was given the unbelievable opportunity to work on a low budget full length feature film named Dishonoured. I saw an advertisement in the local newspaper stating that the film producer was looking to cast main roles. Thinking quickly, I decided to email the writer and producer Steph Genovese and ask if there were any opportunities to gain work experience doing the Special Effects for the film.
Three months passed before I received a surprising email asking me to attend an interview to discuss my work experience request. I heard back from them very shortly afterwards and to my absolute delight (and slight shock) I ended up working on this project as the Special Effects Supervisor. I had used my portfolio from college to show what I could do and even though I had only taught myself the basic techniques over the short time span of six months, I had already landed my first job.
The knowledge and experience I gained working on Dishonoured couldn’t have helped me more. Not only was I working on set, but I was also learning important processes necessary in the film industry to create prosthetics. Being presented with an ‘Accolade’ award was also a high point of being part of this massive project as I was thanked for the hard work and dedication I displayed throughout the entirety of the filming process. To this day, I am always grateful for the opportunity I received and the confidence it gave me to continue to pursue my career.
Dishonoured took almost a year to film and opened so many doors for my career in Special Effects in the Film & TV industry. For example, after I completed my college course I went on to be involved in several shoots and short films; this was closely followed by fully paid work for three more full length feature films- all before I had reached the age of 18.
I currently study the BA Hons Degree for Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics at the University of Arts London. This has now been voted the number one course for Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics in the world as of 2017.
=Present Work=
On an ordinary day, you can find me working freelance as a Make-up Designer and running my own business that I founded in 2014; Exilian Studios. We produce effects and products for Character Work, Prosthetic Makeup, Sculpture, Wig Making, 3D printing, Laser Cutting, Welding, Foam Fabrication, Puppetry, Armour Work, and Vac-Form Mould making.
My work has featured all over the globe and just some of the countries include China, Germany, America, Austria, Brazil, Italy and Ireland. Exilian Studios has great credits working with some the best businesses for Television such as FOX, The BBC, ITV, HBO, Sky and Channel 4.
I have had the honour of working with some the industry’s most well-known and highly regarded Producers, D.O.P's and performers in the UK. I have designed characters for various international productions including the OSCAR qualifying Brazilian feature film ‘Goitaca’ directed and produced by the multi award winning director Rodrigo Rodrigues.
I am known for my Prosthetic Makeup application and Designs on various Film and Television work that includes:
-Dishonoured (2016).
-Goitaca (2018).
-Still Waters Run Deep (2018).
-Hallusinogen (2017).
-Forever your Rose (2017).
I am also known for my work on the BAFTA qualifying Short Film "Bertie" Designing and applying Prosthetic Make-Up on the celebrity performer Alison Steadman and OSCAR Qualifying Short Film "Still Waters Run Deep" for my prosthetic make-up application on performers James Eeles, Paul Barber and Amanda Donohoe.
I am proud to be able to say that I have displayed at the International Makeup Artist Trade Show both in New York 2017 and London 2016 - 2017 - 2018, UMAe 2017, UMAe 2018, The Prosthetics Event 2017 The Prosthetics Event 2018, Walker Stalker 2017, The Media Make-Up and Photography Event 2017, Comic-Con London 2017, Comic Con London 2018, and Comic-Con Peterborough 2018.
Click here to find Exilian Studios website: