Make-up Artistry and Special Effects

Carl Pinnington

Carl has been a Senior Lecturer at UCEN Manchester for 10 years, teaching our BA and FdA Make-Up Artistry and FdA Special Effects Make-Up Artistry qualifications.

Carl has both a Distinction and Professional Qualifying Examination in Photography and a Master’s Degree in Arts (Photography) from Bolton University.  As an artist he has won many awards, published a documentary art book (‘He Ain’t Heavy!’) and has been exhibited at HOME in 2020. His work is also regularly published within world-wide beauty and fashion magazines.

Carl has worked within the beauty and fashion photographic industry for over 30 years, working with national and international advertising agencies and publishers. He retains these links to industry by working freelance with both national and international clients and publishers, experience that he is able to bring to his lessons.

As a tutor he is passionate about developing students’ versatility, diversity in craft skills, visual literacy and art direction, enabling student collaboration and providing mental health support.

Anna-May Stock

Anna-May is a tutor on our FdA Make-up Artistry and Special Effects Make-up Artistry programmes.

Anna-May has 15 years of experience in the industry, experience which includes running a successful bridal business, working on high-profile photoshoots and red-carpet events, and working on set for both live and pre-recorded shows. 

Despite this, Anna-May recognises that the industry is ever-changing. In 2021 and 2022 she undertook additional training with celebrity make-up artist Cassie Lomas. In 2016 Anna-May topped up her HND to a BA (Hons) and achieved a First Class degree in Make-Up.

On teaching, Anna-May says “I always wanted to be in a job where I could help people and be creative, so teaching was perfect.”

Anna-May’s favourite moments are when she hears that former students have done well. The list includes artists that have been nominated for an Emmy, have signed with one of the most prestigious agencies in the world, and have laned jobs working on longstanding soaps and theatre productions.

Victoria Dowd

Victoria has over 6 years of teaching experience within Make-Up Artistry and Special Effects Make-Up Artistry, gaining distinctions in her FdA in Media Make-Up and teaching qualification.

Victoria has worked for high profile brands such as Dior and Mac Cosmetics and has experience in film, editorial, and catwalk industries. Victoria enjoys supporting students with honing their artistic flair and developing industry-specific skills throughout their journey with UCEN Manchester.

Lindsey Mace

Lindsey teaches BA (Hons) Special Effects Make-Up Artistry, BA (Hons) Make-Up Artistry, and FdA Special Effects Make-Up Artistry.

Lindsey’s first love is make-up for television and film. However, more recently she has developed a passion for supporting students with their academic studies. Lindsey takes great satisfaction from helping students develop their research skills and critical thought, as it enables the students to contextualise their studies.

Lindsey’s experience within the industry covers many sectors including television, film, theatre, corporate projects, print, and the bridal sector.  Originally headhunted for this role, she has lectured on the Foundation Degree and BA (Hons) in Make-Up Artistry and Special Effects Make-Up artistry for over 10 years.

Lindsey’s proudest moments are “seeing students exceed their belief in their academic capabilities to produce really high standards of academic-level writing.”

Gary Long

Gary Long is a photography tutor and media technician across both BA and foundation degree courses. He received a first-class honours degree in Media, Writing and Production from the University of Bolton in 2012 and has worked in both online marketing and education ever since.

His skills and experience include photography, photo editing/retouching, digital design, motion graphics, non-linear video editing, sound design, and corporate video production. He works with students to help them develop showreels and learn how
 to promote their work.

Gary has also recently completed his PGCE qualification from The University of Huddersfield and is currently undertaking a master’s degree in Screenwriting at The University of Manchester.

Alexandra Reeves

Lexi Reeves has achieved a level 6 achieving a first-class in BDes (Hons) Special Effect Development.

She has 8 years’ experience within the education sector, in addition to working within the makeup and special effect makeup industry.

Lexi has completed a  Postgraduate qualification in Contemporary Arts Practice at the University of Salford.

Freya Hennelly-Levine

Freya teaches Special Effects Make-up Artistry for UCEN Manchester.

Freya graduated with a First in BA (Hons) Special Effects Make-up Artistry, before gaining eight years of impressive industry experience. Initially focusing on beauty and hair, she then developed a specialisation in the SFX industry.

Freya has vast experience of life-casting, medical simulation, mould-making and practical application. She has worked within the SFX industry on team application under Events2Scare events, with scare actors for the ‘For the Love of Horror’ convention, on promotional stunts for The Walking Dead, and on medical simulation application with The ATTAC Group for paramedic training courses. 

From there, Freya gained her PGCE M Post Graduate Certificate in Education 14+ (Art, Creative Practice and Performance), and has been teaching with us ever since. Additionally, she still continues to work on freelance projects to continue her personal professional development.

Freya notes that her proudest moments are when her students start to believe in themselves, after completing as task that they thought was going to be impossible.

“I love seeing their confidence and sense of achievement grow within themselves when they realize they can do it.”