Board Member

Diana Y. Choi is a renowned hyper-realistic hair specialist based in Los Angeles, California. With over two decades of experience in the motion picture industry, she has established herself as one of the most sought-after experts in her field. Diana’s versatile skills encompass the creation of a wide range of hair products, including wigs, facial pieces, tied full body simian suits, and the intricate art of punching hair into silicone artwork.

A proud Cinema Makeup School Alumni, class of 1997, Diana’s impressive career began in 1999 at Academy Award Winner Rick Baker’s Studio, Cinnovation, where she was mentored by BAFTA Winner and master wig maker Sylvia Nava. Diana was first introduced to hair work during the production of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, under the guidance of Sylvia Nava. This formative experience laid the foundation for her expertise in hair artistry. In 2006, she joined Spectral Motion Inc., further expanding her portfolio and industry connections. Throughout her career, Diana has maintained long-standing collaborations with industry luminaries, including a partnership with Oscar nominee Mike Marino since 2006 and an ongoing relationship with Oscar-winner Kazu Hiro since 1999.

Her exceptional talent has contributed to numerous high-profile films and television series. Diana’s work can be seen in productions such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1999), Planet of the Apes (2001), Men in Black II (2002), Hellboy 2 (2008), Black Swan (2010), Darkest Hour (2017), Bombshell (2019), True Detective Season 3 (2019), Coming 2 America (2021), Gaslit (2022), Maestro (2023), and The Penguin TV series (2024). Her contributions to these projects have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by her Artisan Award in 2022 for Best Special Makeup Effects Artist for her work on Coming 2 America.

Throughout her career, Diana has worked alongside some of the industry’s most respected makeup artists. Her collaborations include work with Oscar winners Alessandro Bertolazzi and Giorgio Gregorini, Emmy winner Massimo Gattabrusi, and Oscar nominee Arjen Tuiten. These partnerships have not only contributed to her growth as an artist but have also solidified her reputation in the industry.

Diana Y. Choi’s exceptional skill, extensive experience in special effects, and collaborations with industry leaders have firmly established her position among the elite in the field of hair and makeup artistry for film and television. Her unique blend of special effects knowledge and hair expertise continues to make her one of the most sought-after professionals in the motion picture industry.

Credits

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Diana’s Professional Website:
www.dianaywigstudio.com/

Board Member

Jon Shroyer is a Local 706 Makeup artist whose career spans over 15 years in the film and television industry. His journey began in southern Ohio, where he first discovered his passion for creature effects through painting monsters at home. His breakthrough came when a cold-call strategy and a letter to veteran makeup artist Steve LaPorte led to his first major project, Oz the Great and Powerful, with Howard Berger.

Shroyer’s foundational experience came from working with Robert Kurtzman’s Ohio-based shop. His career path then took him through several major industry hubs, starting with joining Local 38 makeup union in Detroit after Oz. He later relocated to New Mexico, where he established his own shop and gained membership in the Local 480 makeup union. During this period, he contributed his talents to acclaimed series including Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

Now based in Los Angeles and a member of Local 706, Shroyer has evolved with the industry’s technological advances. Over the past six years, he has become particularly skilled in 3D printing and scanning services, working with numerous shops to integrate these capabilities. He is known for his forward-thinking approach, advocating for the fusion of traditional and digital methods in makeup effects. His expertise in this area has become increasingly valuable as the demand for 3D scanning and printing services has surged within the industry over the last three years.

CREDITS

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Jon’s Professional Website:
www.imdb.com

Board Member

Erik Porn is a Union Makeup FX and Visual FX artist based in California since 2005. Originally from Flint, Michigan, Erik developed a passion for makeup effects at a young age, inspired by classic films such as The Dark Crystal and the original Star Wars trilogy. However, it was the behind-the-scenes featurette for Michael Jackson’s Thriller that truly solidified his dedication to the craft.

While attending college, Erik gained early industry experience working in extras casting on Kevin Smith’s Dogma. Afterward, he returned to Michigan, contributing to various independent film projects. Though many of these early efforts were not widely released, they laid the groundwork for his move to Los Angeles in 2005.

In L.A., Erik became the shop supervisor for Robert Hall’s Almost Human FX, a role he held for eight years. His expertise and creative vision have led to notable recognition, including a Streamy Award for visual effects on the web series Fear Clinic, and a Fangoria Chainsaw Award nomination for his work on The Wretched.

In 2019, Erik was part of the makeup team for VICE, assisting with Christian Bale’s transformation into Dick Cheney—a film that went on to win the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

With a career spanning both practical and digital effects, Erik continues to contribute his talents to innovative and visually compelling projects in film and television.

CREDITS

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Erik’s Professional Website:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1483392/

Board Member

Barry has over 42 years experience in the field of makeup. He got his start in Santa Barbara doing a total of 32 Theatrical stage productions before moving to Los Angeles where he worked at Universal Studios Tour doing a Makeup Show called “Land of a 1000 Faces” where 2 makeup artists would makeup 2 guests from the audience and turn them into Frankenstein and his Bride!

Barry apprenticed with Oscar wining makeup artist John Chambers, who won an Oscar for his makeup’s on The Planet of the Apes Mr. Chambers recommended Mr. Koper to run the Makeup Effects Lab at CBS Studios, after 6 years Mr. Koper became the Head of Makeup at CBS and continued there for a total of 15 years, after which he left to do feature Films, Some of his credits include Addams Family Values, Island of Dr. Moreau, Alien Resurrection, Holloman, Scary Movie 2 & 3, Bubble Boy, Syriana, Departed, Indiana Jones 4, Coach Carter, Dinner for Schmucks, We Bought a Zoo, X Men First Class, Thor and Michael Jackson’s This is it He is best known for his very natural prosthetic work on Tim Allen in all 3 Disney’s Santa Clause Movies turning Tim into Santa! Mr. Koper has been nominated for the Emmy a total of 5 times and has won twice. Barry was also the creator of the column “Out of the Kit” for Makeup Artist Magazine, which he wrote for over 10 years.

CREDITS

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Barry’s Professional Website:
www.imdb.com

Board Member

Lino Stavole works in the middle of murk, magic, monsters, and mathematical madness. Lino creates things using technology. He works as a project supervisor at Spectral Motion and oversees their digital manufacturing. Every day he produces amazing things in concert with groups of talented artists.

He specializes in the collaboration between art and new technology and is knowledgeable in a myriad of different 3d printing and additive manufacturing techniques and methods. Lino has constructed advanced 3d scanning systems in cooperation with the University of Kentucky’s Center for Visualization & Virtual Environments.

He has spoken at the Society of Manufacturing Engineers regarding adopting 3D technologies in the art and entertainment arenas. His goal is to advance the way we create by using innovative fabrication methods (and even developing some new ones).

CREDITS

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Lino’s Professional Website:
www.behold3d.me

Board Member

Gary Archer originally from the UK, is a Los Angeles based makeup artist/dental technician who has specialized in the creation, design and fabrication of dental prosthetics and oral appliances for almost 400 films, television shows and theatrical productions. Some of his past and most recent works have been the iconic Austin Powers teeth, the legendary Blade fangs, and several custom dental prosthetics for On Becoming a God In Central Florida. Gary’s studio, G.A. Enterprises, offers custom dental prosthetic services all across the US, Canada and throughout Europe via our affiliate partners.

CREDITS

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Gary’s Professional Website:
www.bitemakers.co.uk

Board Member

Michael Deak is a highly experienced 39-year veteran of the motion picture and television industry. Starting out as a Production Assistant at Roger Corman’s New World Studios, he was quickly offered the opportunity to work as an intern for the make-up effects team on George Romero’s horror classic, DAY OF THE DEAD. Next, Mike joined the team at John Beuchler’s MMI and was soon promoted to on-set FX Supervisor. While at MMI, Michal enjoyed a three-year stint at Empire Studios Productions in Rome, Italy plying his skills and experience on popular cult favorites such as FROM BEYOND with acclaimed director, Stuart Gordon.

In the years following, Michael was shop/location supervisor for world-renown creature effects creators Screaming Mad George, Steve Wang, and KNB Effects. He also ran Alchemy FX Studios, an in-house effects company for Full Moon Pictures, owned and operated by filmmaker Charlie Band.

During his lengthy career, Michael has played an integral part of the special effects process on projects ranging from extremely low budget genre films to major box office hits. He has worked alongside A-list directors such as Michael Bay, Tony Scott, and Wolfgang Petersen.

In addition to his effects supervision background, Michael acted in numerous movie projects as a specialty suit performer. His acting credits include TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE: THE MOVIE (mummy in “Lot 249” and the gargoyle in “Lover’s Vow”), SPECIES, POWER RANGER TURBO (Maligore), CELLAR DWELLER, LITTLE NICKY (Gary the Bigfoot), WEREWOLF WOMAN OF THE SS, as well as a slew of creature characters for television that include MONSTERS, WEIRD SCIENCE, and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER.

Michael’s other credits include Second Unit Director, Miniature Effects Producer/Director, Puppeteer, voice-over talent, and on-screen actor. He is currently involved as a producer on a web series pilot.

CREDITS

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Michael’s Professional Website:
www.imdb.com

Board Member

Benson is a partner at Satnick Lau LLP in Los Angeles, California, where he focuses his practice on cannabis law, litigation, serving cannabis businesses and investors throughout Los Angeles. He also represents cultivators, distributors, manufacturers, retailers, testing laboratories, and other individuals in the cannabis industry on matters involving business litigation, intellectual property rights, commercial landlord/tenant disputes, municipal disputes, mergers and acquisitions, state and local licensing, and regulatory compliance.

Before starting his firm, Benson began his legal career specializing in business litigation, corporate matters, and entertainment law. Benson has represented numerous award-winning producers, film financiers, distributors, sales agents, and talent agencies in entertainment transactions and litigation matters pending before IFTA, state court, and federal court. Benson has provided strategic counsel on a wide variety of matters ranging from idea theft, defamation, royalty disputes, copyright infringement, rights of publicity and privacy, and business torts.

In addition to running his law practice, Mr. Lau stays involved in his community through participation in professional organizations, including providing pro bono legal assistance to individuals at risk of deportation through Loyola Law School’s Removal Defense Corps. In June 2020, Benson was first selected to the Southern California Rising Stars list. He was selected again in 2021 and 2022.

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Benson’s Professional Website:
satnicklau.com/

Wayne Anderson was born January 5th, 1985 in Naples, Florida. Halloween has always been a big part of his life growing up. It all started at the age of 9 when his father would build a haunted house at their home every year for Halloween back in the 90’s. Eventually, Wayne started sculpting and painting his own creatures and creations that he would compete with in Halloween costume contests. After a few years of making big creature suits, Wayne wanted to pursue makeup effects as a career, being from a small town there was very little opportunity. Until, he won The Dick Smith Legends of Makeup scholarship that would send him to Los Angeles to attend Cinema Makeup School in 2011.

Since moving to Los Angeles, Wayne has been a prolific sculptor and painter in the industry working for FX studios like Spectral Motion, Legacy Effects, ADI, VVDFX and The Character Shop. Wayne has worked all over the world and also enjoys teaching the craft of makeup and sculpting. His work includes sculpting the Fugitive Predator for “The Predator” also sculpting for “IT”, Stranger Things, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Bright and The Tomorrow War. When Wayne isn’t working at the studios, he enjoys creating his own personal work, fishing, playing basketball, working out, snowboarding, and exploring nature where he finds all his inspiration.

• CREDIT 1: STRANGER THINGS (TV SERIES) (KEY CREATURE SCULPTOR- 6 EPISODES) (2016)
• CREDIT 2: IT (FILM) (SCULPTURE DEPARTMENT)(2017)
• CREDIT 3: BRIGHT (FILM) (SCULPTOR-CREATURE MAKEUP) (2018)
• CREDIT 4: THE NUN (FILM) (MAKEUP SCULPTOR)  (2018)
• CREDIT 5: SORRY TO BROTHER YOU (FILM) (SCULPTURE DEPARTMENT- CREATURE EFFECTS, ADI) (2018)
• CREDIT 6: THE PREDATOR (FILM) (CREATURE EFFECTS) (2018)
• CREDIT 7: SWEET HOME (TV SERIES) (SCULPTING DEPARTMENT-1EPISODE) (2020)
• CREDIT 8: STAR TREK: PICARD (TV SERIES) (PROSTHETIC SCULPTOR-10 EPISODES) (2020)

Makeup Artist, Tracy Raffelson, is not only known for her comic relief, but her beautiful artistry skills. Her 18+ year career has led her to places from LA and NYC, to the White House. Tracy works as a personal Makeup Artist and Groomer for Taye Diggs and Joel Kim Booster, as well as an on set artist for films including: If Beal Street Could Talk, Oceans  8, Set It Up, and Not Okay.

Tracy has a large range of talent experience from her work on Television including: Hunters (Amazon) Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Orange is the New Black( Netflix),  Inside Amy Schumer Show, Damn that Michael Che (HBOmax), Instinct (CBS), and Gotham (Fox).

Her motion work expands to music videos for artists including: JAYZ, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Maluma, Miguel, Leon Bridges, The Gaslight Anthem, the Bouncing Souls, Cursive, and Lorde

Tracy currently works between Los Angeles and New York City.

• CREDIT 1: Hunters (Series – Makeup Artist) 2020
• CREDIT 2: Jessica Jones (Series – Makeup Artist) 2019
• CREDIT 3: Inside Amy Schumer – Season 5 (Series – Makeup Artist)
• CREDIT 4: Damn that Michael Che Show (Series – Makeup Artist)