When Michael Nickiforek first picked up the makeup brush, he had no idea it would lead to working on an Oscar-nominated film.
Special makeup effects artist Nickiforek, a Vernon-product who now resides in Vancouver, worked closely with Arjen Tuiten on the film Wonder 害羞草研究所� an Oscar finalist for makeup and hairstyling.
害羞草研究所淎rjen originally contacted me via Facebook. I knew exactly who he was, I was blown away he was even messaging me,害羞草研究所� Nickiforek said, adding that he was teaching makeup effects in Shanghai at the time. 害羞草研究所淚 asked what help he was looking for, as I originally thought he wanted my shop skills 害羞草研究所� sculpting, mold making, prosthetics fabrication 害羞草研究所� but he informed me it was to actually assist him in applying a makeup on a small boy.害羞草研究所�
Wonder, based on R.J. Palacio害羞草研究所檚 New York Times bestselling novel of the same name, follows August (Auggie) Pullman, a young boy with Treacher Collins syndrome 害羞草研究所� a rare genetic disorder affecting the development of bones and tissues in the face 害羞草研究所� who enters mainstream school for the first time in Grade 5.
害羞草研究所淗e (Tuiten) explained roughly how the face anatomy would be distorted. I knew right there this makeup was going to be special,害羞草研究所� Nickiforek said.
With the offer in mind, Nickiforek packed up his bags and jumped on a plane back to Vancouver.
害羞草研究所淚 will admit it was the scariest thing I have ever said yes to in my life. I was unsure I could match the ability of the person requesting my help. But he assured me I could, so I said, 害羞草研究所業害羞草研究所檓 in,害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟 Nickiforek said. 害羞草研究所淚 got home late July 15 and had a makeup test first thing in the morning. I didn害羞草研究所檛 sleep a wink. I was a solid 20 minutes early 害羞草研究所� the first guy in the makeup trailer, actually. I was soon followed by Arjen and the rest of the soon to be Auggie makeup crew.害羞草研究所�
Working side-by-side with Tuiten, Nickiforek was tasked with applying the left side of Auggie害羞草研究所檚 (Jacob Tremblay) face while Tuiten applied the right. Nickiforek was also responsible for pre-painting Auggie害羞草研究所檚 prosthetics.
害羞草研究所淲orking with Arjen was absolutely the best experience I害羞草研究所檝e had in my career so far. He is the most kind, funny, inspiring and encouraging artist I have met in this industry, someone many can truly look up to,害羞草研究所� Nickiforek said. 害羞草研究所淗elping him achieve his vision was rewarding every day, so was working with Jacob who was honestly the most professional actor I害羞草研究所檝e met in my career so far.害羞草研究所�
Tuiten is one of three finalists for the 2018 Oscar in makeup and hairstyling 害羞草研究所� alongside Darkest Hour (Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski and Lucy Sibbick) and Victoria & Abdul (Daniel Phillips and Lou Sheppard) 害羞草研究所� and the only Auggie makeup crew member included in the nomination.
害羞草研究所淚 was so happy for him. It was a makeup that truly deserved to be getting the attention it was. I don害羞草研究所檛 know what day stands out to me, but I do know every day we laughed, sometimes from being too tired, but mostly just from the great environment we made for ourselves. It was an unbelievable little makeup family,害羞草研究所� Nickiforek said.
Nickiforek害羞草研究所檚 passion for special makeup effects sparked at a young age from watching films like The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and The Never Ending Story.
害羞草研究所淭he behind the scenes footage that was actually even available then. Seeing how it was made, made my mind explode. Knowing people actually make this stuff was one of the best thoughts. This eventually lead to being interested in makeup effects in general. From that point forward, it was continually on my mind. Though my path I feel was different from most who gain interest as a child. Most tend to dabble throughout their teenage hood. I didn害羞草研究所檛 though for the most part, aside from a gore gag here or there,害羞草研究所� Nickiforek said. 害羞草研究所淚t wasn害羞草研究所檛 until I was 24 and and actually enrolled for and ran the course of the Makeup for Film and TV program at Vancouver Film School that I really started my journey into makeup effects. After school was done in February 2006, I found myself practicing on personal and student film projects. I did this while also working a regular part time job to keep myself afloat.害羞草研究所�
But, after putting in the grunt work and taking on all of the work he could, Nickiforek made his big break.
害羞草研究所淚 applied to an online post on the then most popular makeup effects forum, theeffectslab.com. I went to a real interview with my most up to date portfolio and landed the job. It was in one of the few shops Vancouver had to offer. I had my first day, then second, then third. Jump forward 11 years and here I am just seeing a a makeup I was heavily involved with being nominated for an Oscar,害羞草研究所� Nickiforek said.
With a focus on doing contract work for nearby shops, Nickiforek has worked on films like 1922 (special makeup effects artist), Tomorrowland (sculptor, mold maker, silicone prosthetics fabrication), Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (animal effects fabrication), Taken 2 (prosthetics fabrication) and, more recently, the second series of Van Helsing (makeup effects designer).
害羞草研究所淚 honestly didn害羞草研究所檛 know where my career was going, I just knew it was what I wanted to do. I was interested in makeup as a child, but after school I was obsessed. I quickly realized school had only just started my education. I read on the lab forum every day,害羞草研究所� Nickiforek said. 害羞草研究所淚 never knew it but my true calling was sculpting and mold making. Though I love every stage of the makeup process, from lifecasting to the final makeup application, this is where I really ran. Right now my main focus is creating what is seen on screen, and though I didn害羞草研究所檛 know this is where I was going to end up, I am absolutely happy that I did.害羞草研究所�
Even when he isn害羞草研究所檛 working on a set, watching films on the big screen or building Gundam models, Nickiforek spends his time honing his craft.
害羞草研究所淚 actually like to do what I do for a living as a hobby as well,害羞草研究所� Nickiforek said. 害羞草研究所淭his is mostly due to the creative restrictions in the job, (but) as a hobby I can really create what ever I like.害羞草研究所�
And for Nickiforek, spending his time pursuing his passion, whether at work or at home, is what it害羞草研究所檚 all about.
害羞草研究所淒o what you love,害羞草研究所� Nickiforek said. 害羞草研究所淚f you find people in your life telling you you shouldn害羞草研究所檛 or can害羞草研究所檛, remove them. Only surround yourself with support. When you do, there害羞草研究所檚 so much you can achieve.害羞草研究所�
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