Experimental essence

Pioneering special effects makeup in Nepal

Abhilasha Rayamajhi
 Kathmandu
The special effects makeup industry is a million dollar industry worldwide. With its use in movies such as X- Men, Avatar, Maleficent, Harry Potter and many other sci- fi and horror movies, special effects makeup has created a buzz globally. In 2015, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that the median yearly wage for theatrical and performance make- up artists was USD 53,230. The larger field of cosmetology was expected to see average job growth of 10 per cent from 2014 to 2024.
Even though not many people are aware about this craft in Nepal, Shreejana Shakya has already experimented with prosthetic make- up in music videos, fashion and the film industry in Nepal. She is the first participant from Nepal to have secured the second position in Cinema Makeup School Next level of Cosplay contest. Cinema Makeup School is Hollywood’s professional makeup school based in Los Angeles, USA. Shakya says, “ Fashion, music and film industry in Nepal is rising slowly but steadily.” High quality movies and music videos are now produced here. She adds, “ The current generation of innovative producers are looking to invest in new ideas in makeup and appearance.
Hence, I feel there is a need for makeup specialists in the country and abroad as well.” Since her childhood she was fascinated by the world of art. Her father, a jewellery designer inspired her towards this artistic journey.
She completed her plus two level from Srijana College of Fine Arts. She earned her Bachelor in Fine Arts degree with a specialisation in Studio Art from Kathmandu University Centre for Art and Design.
“ I was always interested in experimenting as an artist so I began to use human faces and bodies as canvas rather than sticking to conventional platforms,” she shares. She received her new ideas Photo: THT first break as a special effects makeup artist from Fuzz factory Productions as the make- up artist and Art Director. She worked in a music video produced by the company in which her work was widely appreciated.
She works as an independent makeup artist in collaboration with models and photographers. Her work can also be seen a soon to be released movie — ‘ Bijuli machine ’. Talking about the challenges of special effect makeup in Nepal, she says, “ Prosthetics is unavailable in the local market and dealers are not ready to import because it’s not profitable if not imported in bulk.” Despite such hurdles she uses household materials such as glue, tissue paper, neon colours and so on to create her magic.
In a short period of time she has been successful in introducing herself as the pioneer makeup specialist in Nepal. And through the international contests she has made a mark in the international arena as well.
“ One of my major motivations is to set up special effects makeup studio in Nepal. Additionally, I aspire to branch out the knowledge of makeup through academic practices,” she mentions.
She adds, “ My aim is to create an academic hub that can have all different sorts of makeup practices.” She elaborates, “ If there are dedicated people in the makeup industry then there will of course be numerous opportunities for aspiring makeup artists.” She is a firm believer in originality and concludes, “ Rather than going after conventional practices, one can follow their intuition and create something original.”

(This article was published in The Himalayan Times- Perspectives on June 12, 2016)