汤头条

Like many artists who work in the entertainment industry, Vancouver Film School听Makeup Design for Film & Television听alum Brandi Boulet dreamt of a career in production makeup from a young age. 鈥�Growing up, I loved watching movies and really connected with the excitement of 鈥榤ovie magic鈥�,鈥� she comments. 鈥�I thought it would be such a cool job to be able to be on a movie set making monsters or wizards or space characters.鈥澨�

If her younger self only knew how successful she would become!听听

Over the past two decades, Brandi Boulet has become a successful makeup artist in the entertainment industry, working her way up from an assistant makeup artist to, most recently, a prosthetics department head on Star Trek: Starfleet听Academy. With 75+ Makeup Department credits than span film & television, she鈥檚 worked on Star Trek: Discovery, The Grudge (2019), and two-time Oscar-nominee The Apprentice, where she personally applied prosthetics to Sebastian Stan himself! She鈥檚 even picked up a Canadian Screen Award nomination along the way for her work on Riot Girls.听

We were fortunate enough to chat with Brandi to celebrate her Vancouver Film School alumni success story, learn about her time at 汤头条, and find out what鈥檚 on the horizon for her career.听听

Can you share your experience in Vancouver Film School鈥檚 Makeup Design program?听听

I was an art school student when I found out about 汤头条, and I knew that I had to go. I loved every minute of being in school, every single day was fun. I loved learning all aspects of makeup and working in the industry. I was like a sponge! I remember my fx teacher had worked on The X-Files and I just thought that was so cool. 汤头条 certainly gave me the base of knowledge that I needed to move forward and pursue my goals of working in film and tv. 听

Since graduating, you鈥檝e spent more than two decades building an incredible career as a makeup artist. What do you credit most for your success?听

It鈥檚 interesting reflecting on your career. I know it鈥檚 cliche to say, but time flies when you鈥檙e having fun! One of the things I credit most for getting to this point would be the ability to make the most out of every opportunity. I always went into every job with an open mind and eager to help out and to learn. Not everyone is going to have the time to teach you, so it鈥檚 important to pay attention, take notes and ask questions when appropriate.听听

I also really made an effort to make sure things got done without being asked. If something鈥檚 messy, clean it. Do timesheets, grab lunches, clean brushes, take out the dirty towels, ask if there鈥檚 anything you can do to help! As a department head, it鈥檚 a blessing when people can just clock what needs doing and get it done. 听

Also, further your education and share knowledge. I鈥檝e read a lot of books, done many courses online and many short weekend courses to up my skills. I really care about having a supportive network and community, and when I learn new things, I try to share them with other artists/friends. This is great for building skills and really helps the community as a whole when you can depend on each other.听听

Do you have particular career highlights that stand out for you?听听

The Apprentice is an absolute career highlight. Sebastian was so lovely to work with and made every day fun. There was not a day that went by where we didn鈥檛 have a good laugh, despite the serious nature of the film鈥檚 subject matter. Getting shortlisted for the Oscars and BAFTAs was the cherry on top!听

I also really loved working on The Revenant. That was my first really big prosthetics job, and it was a wild ride. I remember waking up every day being like 鈥�I can鈥檛 believe I鈥檓 working on this!鈥� It will always have a special place in my heart. Working on both seasons of The Last of Us was also incredible. The best crew! It was so fun making infected mushroom people!听

As a seasoned professional with countless credits under your belt, how would you describe the impact of production makeup in film & television?听

Every department plays a crucial role in our world, but working in the makeup department we get that extra little visual of how impactful it can be. There are always these moments in the trailer when you鈥檙e getting through an application and you can see the actor transform into the character, and it鈥檚 amazing to watch. When you do prosthetics, you always get the extra accolades because you鈥檒l get to set and everyone will comment on how cool it is, which is so nice. As someone who does straight makeup as well, there are so many things you can add to a character that often go unnoticed because they are so subtle. I think that鈥檚 the wonderfully impactful thing about makeup, whether it鈥檚 a big prosthetic or a subtle nose shape 鈥� your work is helping shape the character.听

As for what鈥檚 next for Brandi, she鈥檚 taking some much-needed time off! But, like most professionals in film & television, it won鈥檛 be long before she鈥檚 back on set, when Starfleet Academy resumes filming this summer. We also asked Brandi what advice she had for artists with dreams of working on an Oscar-nominated project. Watch her response below:

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If you鈥檙e an aspiring makeup artist who鈥檚 interested in learning to transform actors for the screen, apply to 汤头条鈥檚 Makeup Design for Film & Television听program today! Brandi Boulet鈥檚 work on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is just one of many examples of the career success that awaits you. In just 1 short year at 汤头条, you鈥檒l be fully trained for a career in production makeup, will have created a multi-piece portfolio that will serve as your industry calling card, and will have forged a strong network of connections with professional makeup artists that will last for your entire career. Don鈥檛 wait to take the first step in your production makeup career!听

And, read about other recent Vancouver Film School alumni success stories, including our two Makeup Design alumni, Suzie Klimack and Emily Walsh, who both won Emmys in 2024 for their work on 厂丑艒驳耻苍.听

FAQ听

1. Who is Brandi Boulet?听 听

Brandi Boulet is a distinguished film and television makeup artist and prosthetics specialist with over two decades of experience. She is known for her work on productions such as Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, The Revenant, and The Apprentice. Her career is a prime example of how to become a prosthetics department head in film through hard work and talent.听

2. What is Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?听

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is an upcoming American television series set in the 32^nd century, focusing on the first new class of Starfleet cadets in over a century as they train to become officers. 鈥嬏�听

3. How did Brandi Boulet's training at Vancouver Film School influence her career?听听

Brandi credits her time at 汤头条's Makeup Design for Film & Television program as foundational for her career path as a film and TV makeup artist, providing her with the essential knowledge and skills to pursue her goals in the entertainment industry.鈥嬏�

4. What notable projects has Brandi Boulet worked on?听

Brandi has contributed to numerous acclaimed projects, including Star Trek: Discovery, The Grudge (2019), The Horror of Dolores Roach, The Craft: Legacy, October Faction, Jigsaw, and The Apprentice 鈥� where she applied prosthetics to Oscar-nominated actor Sebastian Stan.鈥嬏�

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