A first-of-its-kind Special Effects (SFX) Makeup Workshop will be held in Guyana on Sunday, aimed at equipping aspiring creatives with specialised skills for emerging opportunities in the country's creative industries. The workshop, coordinated by Fashions Origin, will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Graphic Designer and Makeup Artist Chontelle Sewett will facilitate the beginner-friendly session, which is limited to 20 participants. The workshop follows the success of a previous showcase hosted by Fashions Origin.

Speaking with Ignite News, Sewett said special effects makeup involves creating realistic injuries, wounds and character transformations commonly seen in film, theatre, television and other creative productions.

The three-hour workshop will provide participants with a step-by-step introduction to SFX makeup. Attendees will learn the fundamentals of colour theory, how to create realistic bruises, simple cuts using silicone and latex, and old-age makeup techniques. Sewett will also demonstrate how everyday household items can be used to create DIY special effects materials, making the craft more accessible and affordable for beginners.

Sewett said prior makeup experience may be beneficial but the workshop is open to anyone interested in learning the craft. She said the hands-on session is designed to be engaging and interactive, allowing participants to build the confidence to recreate the techniques on their own.

Sewett said the workshop aims to develop local talent by equipping participants with practical SFX makeup skills that can be applied across Guyana's growing creative industry. She said that as the Government continues to invest in the orange economy, more opportunities are expected to emerge in film, television, music videos and other creative productions, which could increase demand for specialised SFX makeup artists.

By training more Guyanese in the field, Sewett said the country can build its own pool of skilled professionals capable of meeting that demand, reducing the need to bring in overseas talent for productions requiring specialised makeup effects.

Sewett said she has been encouraged by the interest expressed since the workshop was announced, and hopes to make it a recurring initiative, giving more Guyanese the opportunity to develop specialised skills while contributing to the growth of the country's creative sector.