Sunday, June 21, 2015

Behind-the-Scenes: Music Video Shoot



This post may be especially interesting to car aficionados... 

I was taken on as a makeup artist for a one-day music video shoot in Riverside, the day being dedicated to this one scene. The scene takes place before a bank robbery by the two artists in the video but the star of the shoot is this restored 1967 Mustang Convertible. The restorer calls her, "Helleanore" after the vehicle, "Elleanore" from the movie, "Gone in 60 Seconds". The vehicle is rebuilt using an "Elleanore" body kit and the exterior paint job is a matte-black vinyl finish. Restoration was done by Vintage and Performance Restorarions in Waterdown. Restorations cost about $400,000 and is still a work in progress but she's already a star! I have unofficially renamed her, "Hell-a-noir"!




Complete with drone shots\

More photos on my Instagram account www.instagram.com/torontomakeupartist

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Behind the Scenes: My first feature film experience


This month, I had the opportunity to work on my first feature film, entitled Saving Dreams directed and produced by Isioro Jaboro. I was taken on as a second makeup artist and hairstylist however, I ended up being cast a roll in the film as well! That's right, I can now add, 'ACTRESS' to my resume and I did pretty well considering... I was cast as Carol, the owner of a woman's shelter -. a role I was destined to play! That's one of the beautiful things in an indie production - you end up doing things you would never have imagined doing *winky face*.

Here's a bit about the film...

Synopsis
~
BRENDA JACKSON has the talent to become a great singer. But her other dreams interfere with her following that path. When she meets STEVE REEDS she seems to have hit the jackpot he has it all and he promises to introduce her to people in the music biz. Yet as time goes on, after their marriage, the promises fade and abuse becomes the norm. He even forbids her to sing around the house. Then surprisingly, he asks her to sing at a fund raiser for his new foundation. There, she is profoundly shocked to learn that his foundation helps abused women and children around the world. He is more powerful than she imagined! She finds it difficult to sing, but somehow manages to wow the audience with her angelic voice.  At that banquet, she meets BAYO FRANKS, a music producer who gives her his card. Soon after, she finds herself pregnant. She hopes her pregnancy will soften her husband's attitude toward her, but he kicks her down the stairs, causing a miscarriage. When she returns home from hospital, she finds him with another woman. She takes that opportunity to make her escape. Now on her own, she starts a new life and reconnects with Bayo. He tries to convince her to make a demo. Brenda finds it hard to believe in herself, but with Bayo's support she begins to work on her singing. Brenda's song becomes a hit. Bayo asks her to marry him, but she is still tied to the devil Reeds. He refuses to sign the divorce papers and offers her a humiliating choice. In desperation, Brenda buys a gun. Things don't go as planned when Brenda confronts Reeds, but she manages to turn things around and forces him to give her half his assets. Relieved, Brenda and Bayo make plans for their wedding, but Reeds has one more secret in his sick arsenal that may pierce their future happiness.

The production spanned two weeks and was filmed in the Greater Toronto Area. It was hard work and long days were had but the cast/crews' skill, talent and sense of humour made the days just, "fly by"! There were lots of highs and alotta lows but I came out with 30+ new friends!

In between applications, acting and slating, I managed to snap a few photos...

Skeleton Crew with the 1st AD, Script Super and our leading male

Thats me acting!

Slating for the first time

Manny are you okay? #mannythemannequin

Pretending to Snooze with one of our extras and Assistant Wardobe
On Location - Humber Bay Bridge
Got to play with props!
Nikki, our script Super hanging out in an alleyway


Imagining like some kind of rock anthem music playing while watching these guys load in props
Add Caption?
Jenny? No, call me, "Guns"
#BTS
Ernon's "Re-birth"
Hashtag model stance
Slate for your life!
Blushing bride, Karen
Glamping!
That's a Wrap Folks!


I plan on editing some of the behind the scenes footage I have into a youtube video, stay tuned...

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Vác, Hungary

I am dedicating this post to my mom...

This is where half of my heritage comes from.

This is the bend in the Danube where  where the river changes course and flows south, also allegedly the area where Johann Strauss was inspired to compose the 'Blue Danube'



'Smile'


Add caption


The Arc of Triumph was built for Empress Maria Theresia's visit in 1764 but she was too scared to go under

Cathedral built in 1711 modelled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome

'VIVA HUNGARIA'

The last original 'baroque' style bridge in existence that wasn't destroyed



Szimpla Kert a Budapest Ruin Bar

Lets start at Kazinczy utca...
kazinczy utca
Lost in translation, 'this is a pedestrian street"



Bein' a creeper, takin' photos of strangers

I always get my advice from the bar walls
Washroom Door

Danube Promenade+New York Coffee House+Boscolo Hotel Budapest


Panoramic view of citadel and duna promenade from the Szabadság híd or Liberty Bridge

Boscolo Hotel/New York-palota, Budapest built by 

Est.: Built by the New York Insurance Company October 23, 1894
Architect: 
Alajos Hauszmann
Style: Gothic Revival/Beaux-Arts/Baroque
* * * * *

New York Szalon

Location


Boscolo Hotel Budapest

Boscolo Hotel, Budapest

New York Coffee House Exterior devilish fauns built by Károly Senyey
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New York-palota

New York Coffee House Interior ~ New York Kávéház enteriőr