Robin McLaurin Williams RIP (our friend)
(64th) Academy Award
Nomination for Best Makeup &
Hairstyling 1991, “Hook”
| Christina Smith, Monty G. Westmore, and Greg Cannom |
Tribute to Robin McLaurin Williams
Cinema History
Is Film is a 19th Century Invention, will it be lost?
Close up of an IMAX film negative.
Side by Side: The Science, Art and Impact of Digital Cinema is an in-depth examination of how digital filmmaking is challenging traditional celluloid film as the gold standard in moviemaking. Side by Side captures the essence of the film versus digital debate through unprecedented access to influential filmmakers such as James Cameron, David Fincher, George Lucas, David Lynch, Martin Scorsese, Robert Rodriguez, Lana and Andy Wachowski, Steven Soderbergh and many more.
For almost one hundred years there was only one way to make a movie — on film. But over the last two decades a digital process has emerged to challenge photochemical filmmaking. In 2009 Slumdog Millionaire won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, the first time the award was given to a film shot almost entirely digitally and not on film.
Side by Side investigates the history, process and workflow of both digital and photochemical film creation, and how — at least for now — the two forms coexist side by side. The evolving relationship between art and technology is revealed through clips of groundbreaking films, as well as visits to movie sets. Directors, producers, cinematographers, colorists, editors and actors offer anecdotes and candid opinions about how the digital revolution is transforming their storytelling tools and techniques.
Side by Side examines what is gained and what is lost both practically and philosophically in the changeover from film to digital. Those who embrace digital cite how it democratizes the filmmaking process and allows for infinite creativity.
Location – George Westmore Research Library & Museum
NEWS – HOLLYWOOD, CA., USA
April 2012 – Press Release:
“George Westmore Research Library & Museum”
The GWRL & Museum has moved because in 2010 the “Westmore Academy of Cosmetic Arts” was purchased by Empire Beauty Schools @ www.Empire.edu.
Sadly after two years, (March of 2012) Empire decided, because of the nation’s continued economic problem as well as the US Bank’s reluctance to issue educational loans Empire announced it would not maintain the Hollywood/ Burbank Makeup School. Empire has over 107 location across the United States. The GWRL&M was not part of the Makeup Academy acquisition and thus continues to operate as a separate entity.
Currently, The George Westmore Research Library & Museum is reviewing new educational opportunities, looking at new locations, and developing exhibits with local museums and educational institutions for special traveling exhibits.
Marvin G. Westmore, Founder & CEO of the GWR Library & Museum commented:
“We hope to find a new location that will provide us with an opportunity to serve the needs of the community, along with the film industry, giving everyone a strong foundation for our history as well as creating a new appreciation for makeup and hair design as a lasting cultural art form. Currently we are developing exhibits with local museums and educational institutions for special traveling exhibits. If you are interested we would like to hear from your professional curator.
Marvin’s Grandfather, George H. Westmore was responsible for founding the very first makeup department at a motion picture studio in 1917. Prior to that time, actors in film production came from stage performance work, and in most cases applied their own or assisted their fellow actors with makeup application.
In the history of the modern American movies, there are but few legacies of makeup artists. Only one family features four working generations: The Westmore’s of Hollywood. With ties to virtually every studio in the annals of cinema, The Westmore’s created classic beauty makeups that have stood the test of time since the earliest years of silent film and emulated around the world.
Learn more about the history of Makeup by visiting one of the many Westmore Makeup “Official” Websites and join the Westmore Twitter Website @
http://www.Twitter.com/WestmoreMuseum
Welcome
Westmore Museum
Welcome to the Westmore Museum Blog, as President of the George Westmore Research Library & Museum, I am excited to express my enthusiasm for this technological advancement which the Internet offers the world. “To teach is to touch the Future,” we also aim to touch the world via the Internet.
A museum can be a dark, cold, quiet environment for the objects that are preserved and for the people who work in this profession – but a Blog offers a bright, noisy, warm environment for ideas a constant stream of information. I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities which this Blog will create for the research library and museum.
At an early age I had the fortunate opportunity, (thanks to my parents) to travel the United States visiting cities and towns, learning about our history, people along with the rich culture which this country has to offer. I find it even more fortunate to be working in an industry which my family has been involved in since the era of silent movies. This enjoyable effort is truly close to my heart.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that you can learn more about Hollywood’s First Family of Makeup – The Westmore family and their contributions to Hollywood’s Motion Picture History by visiting
www.Twitter.com/WestmoreMuseum
To follow regular updates of Westmore Film Screenings
as well as our Internet virtual tour at
www.MySpace.com/WestmoreMuseum
I look forward at having guest postings on this Blog from our board members, celebrity advisers, museum staff as well as the Hollywood Film Industry. If you have information or connections, which the Research Library & Museum can benefit from, please contact us by way of this e-mail (info@WestmoreMuseum.com), or through this Blog – we would love to learn more.
Warm regards,
President of The Westmore Museum
*
Let’s start with a little information about who this institution is named after: George H. Westmore
IN THE BEGINNING:
George Henry Westmore born in Newport, Isle of Wight, England was a wigmaker, saloon manager, makeup artist of Cockney Brit(ish); served in the British Army during Boer War, (Two wars fought during 1880–1881 and 1899–1902 by the British Empire against the settlers of two independent Boer republics, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal Republic) worked as a wigmaker and saloon manager in England; (Winston Churchill was said to have thought of him highly as a barber).
George Westmore
George Westmore career began in 1901 he opened a hair dressing salon, Newport, then worked in Canterbury, Kent, until after 1906, in Montreal, Toronto, and Quebec, Canada, and Pittsburgh, San Antonio, New Orleans, Buffalo, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. In 1913 he added makeup to his repertory, Cleveland; began teaching Perc and Ern the art of wigmaking when they were nine; 1917 he was working at Maison Cesare, Los Angeles, first began at Selig Polyscope Studio moving on to Triangle Film Corporation (a.k.a. Triangle Motion Picture Company), and other studios: responsible for Mary Pickford’s curls in the late 1910s. George’s greater contribution, though, may have been in fathering six sons, all of whom went into makeup design.
George Westmore founded the first (tiny) makeup department at a motion picture studio at Selig Polyscope Studios, (1917) in Edendale, a suburb of Los Angeles next to Hollywood, developing techniques still in use today.
William Selig
Selig, William (1864-1948), U.S. motion picture pioneer, born in Chicago, Ill.; actor, theatrical manager 1888-99; improved early motion picture camera; produced first long historical motion picture Coming of Columbus’. Selig Polyscope Co. Selig set up his studio (1909), with director Francis Boggs, who began the facility in a rented bungalow and quickly expanded, designing the studio’s front entrance after Mission San Gabriel. An early production there was The Count of Monte Cristo. Edendale soon became Selig Polyscope’s headquarters. Selig produced almost a thousand movies and was responsible for developing new film talent such as Roscoe Arbuckle along with early cowboy western stars Gilbert M. “Bronco Billy” Anderson and Tom Mix.
George Westmore like Max Factor, Sr., understood that cosmetic and hair needs were personal and would do makeup on stars such as Mary Pickford (whom he relieved of having to curl her famous hair daily by making false ringlets) or the Talmadge sisters in their homes before they left for work in the morning.
George H. Westmore
George and his sons built their own shops; they were all very handy with carpentry and plumbing. Usually back when films began, in the entertainment industry, Actors and Actresses did their own makeup. No single person was responsible for the hairstyling or makeup many times actors would help one another. George: married 1) Ada Savage, 1901; 19 children, including the six sons, a daughter Dorothy, and others who died young; 2) Anita Salazar, 1925; daughter: Patricia.
Westmore Museum – Movie Poster Join Collection
NEWS – HOLLYWOOD, CA., USA
July 1, 2009 – Press Release:
George Westmore Research Library & Museum – “Movie Posters Join Collection”
The George Westmore Research Library & Museum is proud to announce the addition of approximately 2,500+ motion picture movie posters to its collection. An anonymous donor contributed them to the 501(c)3 non-profit Library & Museum for historical preservation. The collection of posters was amassed over a 45-year period, from a working member of the Hollywood community, who had a deep appreciation for Hollywood film history.
President of the Museum commented about the donation: “The idea that these iconic images will be on display for students, researchers and the public for years to come was the major reason for this donation. Many of the posters will require special handling because of their delicate condition. We hope to add several new posters to our display each year as we organize and rotate our exhibits. We also continue to receive requests for satellite exhibits from educational institutions, libraries and other museums, thus we hope to also display some of these many posters along with the historical items in other venue’s.”
Movie posters have become important pieces of art as well as iconic symbols of our culture. They not only create lasting images that demonstrate the manner in which the movies were marketed but also create an emotionally connection with each of us to a special time and period in motion picture history.
Learn more about the History of the Westmore’s – www.MySpace.com/WestmoreMuseum
Received updates about the Museum by using – www.Twitter.com/WestmoreMuseum
The following are a few of examples of the newly added posters:
- The Shiek, 1921
- The Thief Of Bagdad, 1924
- Robin Hood, 1922
Cimarron, 1931
- Gone With The Wind, 1939
- Rebecca, 1940
- Sergeant York, 1941
- Casablanca, 1942
- Doctor Dolittle, 1967
- Bade Runner 1982
Westmore Museum Joins Youtube.com & Tweddoe.com
NEWS – HOLLYWOOD, CA., USA
June 27, 2009 – Press Release:
George Westmore Research Library & Museum – Joins New Media Craze on “Youtube.com & Tweddoe”
The George Westmore Research Library & Museum has joined the “New Media Generation on “Youtube.com, Tweddoe & Twitpic” with postings of a new video.
In the history of the modern American movies, there are but few legacies of makeup artists. Only one family features four working generations: The Westmore’s of Hollywood. With ties to virtually every studio in the annals of cinema the Westmore’s created classic beauty makeups back to the earliest years of silent film.
George Westmore career began in 1901 he opened a hair dressing salon, Newport, then worked in Canterbury, Kent, until after 1906, in Montreal, Toronto, and Quebec, Canada, and Pittsburgh, San Antonio, New Orleans, Buffalo, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. In 1913 he added makeup to his repertory, Cleveland; began teaching Perc and Ern the art of wigmaking when they were nine; 1917 he was working at Maison Cesare, Los Angeles, first began at Selig-Polyscope Studio moving on to Triangle Film Corporation (a.k.a. Triangle Motion Picture Company), and other studios: responsible for Mary Pickford’s curls in the late 1910s. George’s greater contribution, though, may have been in fathering six sons, all of whom went into makeup design.
Westmore Historical Promo
Learn More About the Westmore’s of Hollywood @
Paul Leonard Newman
Paul Leonard Newman – (1925-2008)
Actor-Director-Producer-Writer-American-Humanitarian-Philanthropist
“The George Westmore Research Library & Museum mourns the passing of our friend and donor. Our deepest condolences to Joanne Gignilliat Trimmier Woodward, Arthur Newman Jr. and the Newman Family. Paul was a man of our times, he touched the world with his kindness, generosity and love. We are all better because of his inspiration and leadership.” (quote – D.D.W., GWRL&M)
With writer A.E. Hotchner, Newman founded Newman’s Own, a line of food products, in 1982. The brand started with salad dressing, and has expanded to include pasta sauce, lemonade, popcorn, salsa, and wine, among other things. Newman established a policy that all proceeds from the sale of Newman’s Own products, after taxes, would be donated to charity. As of early 2006, the franchise has resulted in excess of $200 million in donations. He co-wrote a memoir about the subject with Hotchner, Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good. Among other awards, Newman’s Own co-sponsors the PEN/Newman’s Own First Amendment Award, a $25,000 reward designed to recognize those who protect the First Amendment as it applies to the written word.
One beneficiary of his philanthropy is the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a residential summer camp for seriously ill children, which is located in Ashford, Connecticut. Newman co-founded the camp in 1988; it was named after the gang in his film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). Newman’s college fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau, adopted “Hole in the Wall” as their “national philanthropy” in 1995. One camp has expanded to become several Hole in the Wall Camps in the U.S., Ireland, France and Israel. The camp serves 13,000 children every year, free of charge.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
An actor, film director, entrepreneur, race car driver, racing team owner and humanitarian, Newman won numerous awards, including three Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Cannes Film Festival Award, and an Emmy Award. He was also the founder of Newman’s Own, a Westport-based food company which has donated more than $250 million in profits and royalties to charity.
Paul Leonard Newman was born Jan. 26, 1925, in Shaker Heights, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb, son of Arthur S. (a sporting goods store owner) and Theresa (maiden name, Fetzer) Newman.
He married actress Jacqueline Witte in December 1949, and they were divorced in 1957. He married Joanne Woodward, also an actress, on Jan. 29, 1958.
His children by his first marriage were Scott (deceased), Susan, and Stephanie. His children from his second marriage were Elinor “Nell” Theresa, Melissa “Lissy” Steward, and Claire “Clea” Olivia.
In a statement, the Newman daughters said:
“Paul Newman played many unforgettable roles. But the ones for which he was proudest never had top billing on the marquee.
“Devoted husband. Loving father. Adoring grandfather. Dedicated philanthropist.
“Our father was a rare symbol of selfless humility, the last to acknowledge what he was doing was special. Intensely private, he quietly succeeded beyond measure in impacting the lives of so many with his generosity.
“Always and to the end, Dad was incredibly grateful for his good fortune. In his own words: ‘It’s been a privilege to be here.’
“He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched, but he leaves us with extraordinary inspiration to draw upon.
“During this difficult time, we ask for privacy for our family.”
In a 1997 book about Newman, biographer Lawrence J. Quirk quoted the actor as saying:
“I’d like to be remembered as a guy who tried – tried to be part of his times, tried to help people communicate with one another, tried to find some decency in his own life, tried to extend himself as a human being. Someone who isn’t complacent, who doesn’t cop out.”
When Barbara Walters once asked him what he wanted his epitaph to be, he replied, “That I was part of our times.”
Link to Hole In The Wall Gang Camp
Westmore Awards Announced
Press Release:
George Westmore Awards Announced
- George Westmore Award
The George Westmore Research Library & Museum, revives the annual “George Westmore Lifetime Achievement Award” and announces the creation of a George Westmore, “Award of Excellence” to be an industry wide celebration of excellence in makeup and hair design.
Recipients of the awards were announced at a press conference on Monday, June 23, 2008, at the George Westmore Research Library & Museum in Burbank, California.
Certificates as well as statues were handed out before the press and representatives of the media.
Monty G. Westmore received a standing ovation when he accepted the first George Westmore Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards in 2001. Since the time Monty received his award the Makeup Guild has not focused on recognizing it’s members achievements.
Museum President, commented about the increased responsibility, “We felt that this was the proper thing to do. It is important to promote outstanding excellence and individual contributions in Makeup & Hair Design. This not only promotes professional excellence but inspires the younger members of our profession.” He said, “This is very exciting and we intend to expand the awards each year.” “We have received a great deal of positive input and support from within and outside the industry.”
- Certificate
The awards recognize individual, excellence in Motion Picture, Television, Theatrical Stage, Live Performances, Opera, Print Publication and Advertising, which includes a Lifetime Achievement Award.
A few of the 2008 recipients include:
On Makeup Magazine, Michael DeVellis
Mr. Tony Tanaka
- Mr. Tony Tanaka
Additional information about the award and a list of current recipients can be obtained by e-mail request at: info@WestmoreMuseum.com
Westmore Star
Press Release:
Hollywood, CA.- Legendary Makeup men, The Westmores of Hollywood received their Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The former honorary Hollywood Mayor, and Walk of Fame Chairman, Johnny Grant, described this honor as “earned recognition for a combination of professional achievement and community involvement.” Westmores of Hollywood Receive Star celebration was on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1645 Vine Street – West side of the Street just below Hollywood Blvd., (Friday) October 3, 2008, (Star # 2,370th)
Pioneers of their industry, Johnny pointed out that – “…Westmores not only created, but defined the role of makeup artists in Motion Pictures.” Wigmaker, George Westmore made history when he opened the very first makeup department in 1917 at Selig Polyscope Studios. George’s oldest sons, Monte, Ern, Perc, and Wally went on to open their own makeup departments at Warner Brothers, RKO, Fox and Paramount. By the 1930s nearly every motion picture studio employed a Westmore heading up their makeup department.
In 1935, the Westmore brothers teamed up to open the most opulent salon of its time, gllamour mecca; The House of Westmore on 6638 Sunset Strip. Bud Westmore ran the makeup department at Universal for 24 years where he helped create the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Youngest son, Frank was a freelance makeup artist and worked with Cecil B. DeMille on The Ten Commandments and wrote a family biography appropriately titled, The Westmores of Hollywood.
The third generation Westmore’s brothers, Monty Jr., Marvin, and Michael have all made their own significant mark in Hollywood. Monty Jr. was personal makeup artist to Paul Newman and Joan Crawford (Monty passed in 2007). Marvin created the fashion forward makeup for the epic film, Blade Runner,past president of the Makeup & Hair Stylist Guild #706, Founder of The Westmore Academy and the George Westmore Research Library & Museum and Michael was behind alien creations on the Star Trek series and won an Oscar for his work on Mask. The fourth generation Kandace, Kevin and Pam are also making contributions on television and in the movies.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California that serves as an entertainment hall of fame. It is embedded with more than 2,369 five-pointed stars featuring the names of not only human celebrities but fictional characters honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the entertainment industry. The Walk of Fame is maintained by the self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust. The first star, awarded on February 9, 1960, went to Joanne Woodward.
& Send us an E-mail @
*IF you would like to participate in the celebration and be notified about the upcoming event send us your e-mail address – info@westmoremuseum.com
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