Tyrone makeup artist wins a week with BAFTA winning expert from Dr Who

Tony Campbell, who’s originally from Brocagh but now lives and works in Cookstown, impressed judges of the Titanic Creative Management SFX competition with his ‘blue stone demon’ creation.

His much coveted prize was an advanced prosthetics course with multiple award-winning make up artist Neill Gorton who’s best known for his work on Dr Who, Children of Men, Saving Private Ryan as well as other major film and television productions.

Tony, a past-pupil of St Mary’s in Magherafelt, gave up a place studying Architecture at Queen’s to pursue his make-up dream and it seems things are working out for him.

The 27-year-old told the Mail he took up the trade aged 22 and after finishing his course at Belfast Metropolitan College started work with Doll Face in Cookstown, where he not only makes up those going to special events such as weddings and formals but turns his hand to special effects when Halloween comes.

Since starting work at Doll Face three years ago, Tony said: “I started trying out and getting into special effects. The idea of changing someone was fascinating. It’s a lot more work and longer hours... but worth it.”

As for winning a week’s training with one of the top experts in the field, he said he was over the moon.

“Neill doesn’t come here very often so it’s a great opportunity,” Tony explained.

“He’s a big name in the industry [and] he’s teaching us film quality prosthetic applications, scars and how to age people.”

But the out there designs are not the most difficult to master. “It’s a lot harder making up people to look natural,” he said.

The 27-year-old won the competition by submitting a photo of his best special effects work in an online competition that reached over 700,000 people worldwide.

“Winning this competition is a fantastically unique chance to further my learning with the very best in the industry and pursue my dreams of working in film and television,” added Tony.

“Without Titanic Creative Management and Movie House Cinemas something like this would never have been possible.”

Managing Director of Titanic Creative Management, Nuala Campbell, added: “We are dedicated to bringing the very best artists from all over the world to further develop and up-skill the local creative workforce.

“The need for experienced makeup artists is growing, especially with the expansion of the film and television industry here, and it is wonderful to be able to offer opportunities such as these.”