Immersion in the Fantastic World of the Gérardmer Festival

MAKE UP FOR EVER Academy partnered with the 31st edition of the Gérardmer International Fantastic Film Festival, held from January 24 to 28.

This partnership marks an exciting new step for Make Up For Ever Academy in merging the art of makeup with the world of fantasy cinema. During the four-day festival, the Make Up For Ever Academy booth offered attendees a chance to dive into the fascinating world of night creatures. Professional makeup artists from the Academy showcased the mystical and enchanting aesthetics of vampires, creating striking looks that captivated everyone's imagination. The Academy also handled makeup for jury members and celebrities.

Cathelyne and Stéphanie, our two makeup artist teachers, along with our passionate students, showcased their talents, providing participants with an unforgettable experience.

Interview with Morgane, Caroline, and Clarisse, our three students who participated in this internship.

What was your role as a makeup artist intern at the Gérardmer Festival? Can you describe your main responsibilities and activities during the event?

Clarisse: "During the Gérardmer Festival, we managed the makeup booth in a common exhibitor area. We did makeup for festival-goers, creating all kinds of injuries like scars, broken noses, and bullet wounds, as well as children’s makeup and vampire looks, in line with this year's festival theme."

How were you selected to participate in this Festival?

Caroline: "Morgane and I are in the long Professional Makeup Artist training (6 months) and will return this summer for cinema training. Cathelyne, our teacher, selected three interns from this course. Clarisse and I were chosen to represent the Academy."

What were your personal expectations before attending the Festival, and how were they fulfilled during the event?

Morgane: "I wanted to improve in small special effects, enhance my technique and speed, and overcome my apprehension about such requests. I also helped Cathelyne by doing makeup for a professional actress. Achieving this professional goal here was amazing."

Clarisse: "I wanted to improve my special effects makeup skills during the festival. I was thrilled to practice on festival-goers, exploring creative and bloody injuries."

Caroline: "My personal goals were to work on my speed and confidence. Participating in this festival greatly helped me."

Do you have any anecdotes from those few days?

Morgane: "A young man attended all four days of the festival. He came to our booth daily for makeup, requesting a different look each time. It was great because it allowed me to test various special effects and practice a lot."

Clarisse: "I loved meeting the festival-goers. They were all kind, friendly, and fans of thrills! For four days, a brother and sister, aged 6 and 8, with their mom, came to us for makeup. They wanted bloody wounds despite their age! They were so proud of their broken noses and forehead scratches!"

Did you feel your work contributed to the Festival's overall atmosphere? What feedback did you receive from the public or participants about your makeup?

Caroline: "Yes, I felt our work was appreciated. Festival-goers were very happy to get makeup at our booth. We received positive feedback from both attendees and social media users."

Clarisse: "Many festival-goers came for makeup and discussions about the competing films. It was great to see participants at the festival with our makeup. Some even returned to the booth to congratulate us and say they scared their friends with the realistic wounds."

Morgane: "We were told there were many people with makeup in the screening rooms, adding to the atmosphere. It was great to have such feedback."

Final thoughts?

Caro: "UNFORGETTABLE!!!"

Morgane: "Passion! We are three passionate young makeup artists who worked with people passionate about fantasy films."

Clarisse: "I loved this internship; the Festival's atmosphere is unique, and the festival-goers are incredibly kind! Seeing participants return to our booth multiple days was a sign of great success!"

Photo credits: Festival de Gérardmer Photographer: Camilla Canalini