 he
name Joe Blasco is rapidly becoming as well-known to the general public
as it already is in the make-upindustry. Mr. Blasco is highly respected
and world-famous for his work in the development of new and unique
techniques for special make-upeffects. He is an innovator of the,
“Bladder technique” utilized in films depicting horror/monster transformations
showing bulging and bubbling skin effects. He is also recognized as
an expert in the realm of cosmetics compounding, high-fashion beauty
make-up, and make-upartistry education.
 Born
in a small suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Joe Blasco began his
study of the art of make-upat the early age of seven.
“I
was fascinated from the start,” he says, “The minute I saw pictures
of Jack Pierce applying the finishing touches to Boris Karloff’s Frankenstein’s
Monster’s make-up, I knew that was what I wanted to do.”
He
was awarded a scholarship to cosmetology school, and after graduating
in 1964 at the age of 18 he arrived in Hollywood to work for the Max
Factor Cosmetics Company as a traveling make-upartist representative.
After receiving their training he discovered he was to be sent to
Pittsburgh to represent the company in various department stores.
Unhappy with the situation, he left the Factor Company with $50 in
his pocket to pursue a career in Hollywood as a make-upartist.
He
worked six months as a telephone salesperson for the Time-Life Magazine
Company, then went to work as a copy dispatcher and advertising trainee
for the Los Angeles Times.
During
his employment at the Times, he began apprenticing with several make-upartists
to perfect .
Served
as head make-upartist on numerous television shows and motion pictures
all of which dealt with creative make-upranging from beautiful high-fashion
to special horror and science fiction creations including: His existing
and growing knowledge of the art of make-up. In 1967 he left the Los
Angeles Times to take a job as an instructor with a small, obscure
society make-upschool in Westwood, California. The school's owner
was very impressed with Blasco's talent and permitted him to make
major adjustments in the school's curriculum and plans for the future.
Recognizing
the need for a course that taught motion picture and television make-upartistry,
Blasco created a new curriculum for the school. |
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The
school, under Blasco’s direction, became the first to teach full-time
courses in professional make-upartistry. Blasco, however, found himself
unhappy with restrictions placed on him at the school and soon left
to continue pursuing his career in the motion picture and television
industries. For three years, while working for various production
companies, Blasco also apprenticed with major professional cosmetics
manufacturing firms as a Cosmetics Chemist and compounder. As a make-upartist
working in film and television, he experienced first hand what made
a cosmetic product ideal for use in these mediums.
His
career progressed rapidly and he became well-known for his ability
to create and apply any type of Make-up in any situation. Producers
came to realize when they called upon Joe Blasco, they could rely
on the fact that he could handle any make-upproblem no matter how
demanding. Blasco worked at all the major television networks in Hollywood
as his reputation for perfection grew. He became personal make-upartist
to scores of personalities including Bette Midler, Olivia Newton-John,
Lauren Bacall, Carol Burnett, and the late Orson Welles. |
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