Stephanie Seminuk: Today’s Notable Young Professional

Today’s Notable Young Professional is multi-discipline make-up artist Stephanie Seminuk, whose work spans special FX, television, film, digital and even Brad Pitt. We caught up with her to find out what inspired her career and what advice she would share with other young professionals…

WORK

Describe what you do in less than 140 Go.
Pro-makeup artist in special FX, TV, and Film, and currently studying Digital Creature & Character Design at CMU. Creatures are my thing!

What was the inspiration for your career route?
To make characters and creatures for films. I really loved the world of fantasy growing up. I grew up watching iconic films like Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, and Neverending Story. These movies introduced me to memorable characters and stories. I always wanted to be a part of that. To this day, I am still charmed by Jim Henson’s puppets in Labyrinth.

What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
Meeting Brad Pitt! I recently wrapped on “War Machine,” one of Brad Pitt’s latest films that is exclusive to Netflix. We filmed in Abu Dhabi; days were long and temperatures were hot, but the experience was incredible. I got to work with talented people and even chatted with Mr. Pitt himself.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
Working in digital. I will always have my hand in practical makeup and prosthetics but we are in an exciting time for digital design. I want to be at the forefront of this and develop my craft even further.

Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Never stop learning. Even though I already have a CMU College of Makeup Art & Design diploma, when they added a new program I jumped at the chance to go back and take more classes. I’ll be one of the first makeup artists in Canada who can do both practical and digital makeup effects and design. You have to stay ahead of the curve.

What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Freeing myself of self-doubt. My education at CMU College of Makeup Art & Design gave me the opportunity to learn many skills, but it wasn’t until I sought different job opportunities that pushed my limits and forced me out of my comfort zone that I began to embrace my self-confidence. I stopped questioning myself and started trusting my capabilities. Now anything seems possible.

What does the word notable mean to you?
An inspiration.

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PLAY

Where is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
Any good sushi restaurant serving sashimi and tempura.

What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Human anatomy websites and anything to do with jungle animals. I created a hybrid jungle creature in Photoshop, so reference material was essential for building realism. I recently watched TRON: Legacy, so anything Daft Punk has been on repeat.

Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
Bill Corso, for sure. He’s done some pretty incredible stuff. He’s won an Academy Award for Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and also designed the prosthetic makeup that made Ryan Reynolds unrecognizable in Marvel’s Deadpool. He’s been involved in a lot of fantastic films such as John Carter, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Amazing Spider Man, and many others. His work and talent is truly inspiring! Check him out on Instagram @bcorso.

What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
Asia. I visited Hong Kong and absolutely loved it. Exploring the ancient temples was incredible and the city felt so alive; such great energy. My next destination is Europe. The culture, food, and vast history have me packing my bags already.

What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Missing a call from an unknown number.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Video games. At first glance you wouldn’t think I was a gamer, but I actually love them. Games are enriched with intricate plot lines, layered characters, and beautiful imagery. Now that I’m learning digital, my appreciation and interest is even greater. So much work goes into designing each facet of the game to give the user the ultimate experience. Each character is thoroughly built from the inside out so it can move realistically and seamlessly in the game.

What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
Supplements. I believe in eating healthy and keeping fit, but in order to do so sometimes you have to buy proper supplements which can cost a lot money, but in the long run it’s worth it. I wish I spent more money on pampering myself – a weekend at a health spa would feel great.

And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success to me is when your hard work has come to fruition and you’ve put your heart and soul into something to obtain your goal. It’s really about putting your best efforts forward and learning to be confident in your decisions. Through my experiences I have been able to nurture my self- confidence, which has led to greater happiness and peace of mind in my life.

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