As more makers and artisans find ways to practice their craft, a new TV show celebrates the modern-day maker movement and tests creators to see who is best at their art form.
“Maker Nation Challenge” is the latest offering available on the free Very Local app from Hearst Television, the parent company of WESH 2 News. The first episode, which is available Nov. 7 and set in Orlando, has three special-effects makeup artists competing head-to-head at Ocoee cosplay and theatrical supply store Embellish FX.
Central Floridians Brittani Manock, Cesar Castano and Sean Ahearn go head-to-head with four hours to design and create an original theme park character inspired by Orlando. The prize: a $500 gift card to Embellish FX and the title of Maker Nation Champion.
The judges for this challenge are Stevie Bettles, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist who got his start at Universal Orlando, and Danielle Lazala, a painter and muralist from Orlando.
“I thought it was quite a challenge for the artists. It’s not the easiest thing coming up with themed characters representing Orlando and Florida,” Bettles said. “I thought all three of them did an amazing job with coming up with ideas for such a character.”
Some of Bettles’ recent work includes prosthetics on “This Is Us” and Brad Pitt’s special effects makeup on “Bullet Train.” He said the time limit posed quite a challenge, too.
“When you’re doing that much work and that much coverage of the body, four hours goes very fast,” he said. “It was nice to see this being done in Florida because there’s a large community of artists in Florida.”
The forthcoming Dec. 5 episode focuses on three glass blowers from St. Petersburg, Winter Park and West Palm Beach and two judges from Orlando.
“Maker Nation Challenge” offers 10 weekly 30-minute episodes with a new one each Tuesday beginning Nov. 7 on the Very Local app. To learn more, visit verylocal.com.
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