Pakou Her - Professional Make-up Artistry Diploma Program Honors Graduate: Before arriving at New Image, Pakou Her worked full-time for a collection agency before enrolling in the Criminology program at Douglas College. After coming to the conclusion that a career in law was not in her future, she decided that a career in the beauty industry would be more rewarding and keep her interested in the field of work. Her decision to return to school on a different career path was initiated by her need to redefine her skillset and open up more employment opportunities. Her current job at the time, as a collection agent, only proved to limit her potential and appeared to lead towards more "dead-end" jobs. So, began her quest to find a Make-up school in Vancouver.
After hours of research, and numerous visits to beauty schools in Vancouver, Pakou's decision to register with New Image was based on the broad options that the make-up program offered in terms of employment opportunities and personal development. With a flexible curriculum to suit her needs, she was able to complete the program at an accelerated pace that would allow her to finish with her classmates despite her late start.
"My first impression of the school when I arrived was very welcoming. I truly enjoyed the atmosphere and the friendly staff."
The program was flexible with the curriculum allowing her to complete different modules at an accelerated pace and opened her creativity and ingenuity to world of vivid color and dramatic contrasts. Her journey included the special effects courses where she learned so many different things she never knew existed. Despite being an overwhelming challenge at times, she was rewarded with a sense of achievement on all her projects "especially the complicated and time consuming ones, like when you finish your gelatin prosthetic."
Although the registration process seemed quite daunting at first, Charie was able to walk Pakou through each step to help her understand the required documents and forms as well as the course curriculum. Initially, the program was not an immediate fit for her due to scheduling conflicts, but was quickly resolved with the accelerated program.
Michelle, Pakou's beauty make-up instructor, is an established make-up artist with practical working experience in both Beauty and special effect make-up. Despite her perfectionist take on technique and protocol, her methods are effective and motivational. "She pushes us to do well, which is when my best work comes out." Contrasting Michelle's approach to teching was her special effects instructor, Ryan Nicholson, who is a well known and respected movie maker/ director in the realm of gore has given Pakou the foundation for a successful career in the industry. Ryan is a laid back kind of guy who allows you to explore your creativity!
Recently, Pakou received a call from Michelle informing her that she had been selected to do the make-up for a special 2010 Winter Olympic shoot. The one day shoot, titled "The Sanbox" was for a video that was to be used as an inspirational piece that would promote ethnic diversity here in Canada. Her experience with this real production was amazing as she was given a rare opportunity to be a part of the the historic Olympic games which took place right here in Vancouver.
In ten years from now she would like to see herself as an iconic make-up artist here in Vancouver. Her goal is to establish industry contacts and opportunities to grow her career as a professional and among the ranks of the best in the city. Not too long after that she hopes to follow in her mentors steps and find success in a business of her own that will be at the forefront of professional special effects services for movies, television shows, etc.
New Image has given Pakou the skills needed to succeed in this ever changing field with technology playing a larger role in the production of film and television and even beauty. But, beyond her newly acquired make-up skills, New Image had given her a network of opportunities through the career days she attended, fellow make-up artists who became friends, job opportunities through the human resources department and much more.
"The best thing about New Image are the people here. The Instructors are so nice. The whole school environment just makes you want to stay here. Im going to miss this school a lot."
As a final note from Pakou Her to all students thinking about enrolling into the Professional Make-up Artistry Diploma Program: "Take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way because you never know when more doors are going to open. Everything you learn at New Image will help you out in the film and make-up industry so be commited and succeed."