Georgian makeup artist in online contest for Hollywood scholarship

Georgian makeup artist Qeto Chantadze is among five finalists competing for a scholarship at Hollywood’s Cinema Makeup School via online voting open to public.

Launched earlier this year, the Next Level of Cosplay Scholarship contest involves artists creating a "complete costume and makeup look” of an existing cinema character of their choice.

The competition reached the final stage on Friday, with Chantadze’s submission currently second in voting held through Facebook.

See a video by makeup artist Qeto Chantadze about her submission for the contest below:

In her video profile released for the contest, Tbilisi-based Chantadze detailed her motivation for the scholarship and her experience of working on the chosen character, Angel of Death from the 2008 feature Hellboy II: The Golden Army.

I had to work fast in order to finish the project and meet the deadline. But my profession is connected to such difficulties, and that is why I think you must be able to work in stressful situations and solve problems effectively.

 You should be able to use anything that is right in front of you to create a piece of work that is worth seeing in the end,” said the artist in the presentation.

Votes cast for Chantadze by her local supporters in previous stages of the competition added up to contributions by voters from abroad to propel her to the shortlist of finalists. In the final stage, Facebook users are able to cast votes for their chosen finalist daily from their accounts.

Chantadze selected Angel of Death from the fantasy film ‘Hellboy II’ as her character for the contest. Photo: Make Up by Qeto Chantadze - Chanta/Facebook.

The results will be considered in addition to assessments by a panel of award-winning judges.

Members of the jury include three-time Oscar winning makeup artist Ve Neill and Governor of the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Leonard Engelman.

The Next Level of Cosplay is one of two scholarships of the Cinema Makeup School and features an award of over $20,000 in scholarship money to winning entrants.

Founded in 1993 and promoted as "Hollywood’s professional makeup school”, the Cinema Makeup School works to educate makeup artists for film, television, fashion and entertainment industries.

Its director of education Leonard Engelman became the first makeup artist to be elected as Vice President for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the governing body of the Oscars.