Michael Harvey is currently the makeup department head for Law and Order SVU; and, has been with the show since 2011. He oversees the look of the show's characters; and, designs and executes all of the special makeup effects. He manages a pretty robust makeup team from the Local 798, as well as, the application and managing the makeup needs for principal talents on Law and Order SVU: Ice T, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, and Jamie Gray Hyder, to name a few.Michael's work can range from a stellar beauty look, men's grooming, to a gruesome bloody dead corpse all in the same scene. His work has been featured in: Isn't It Romantic (2019), The Tick (2017), Bloodrunners (2017), Sneaky Pete (2017), Marvel projects, and Men In Black 3 (2012).His career in makeup started back in 1996 in Florida, where he assisted the department head on a television show with special effects makeup applications. From there, he found himself in [the] New York City/Philadelphia area at a time, with little to no work in his craft as a special effects makeup artist. He had to expand his scope of artistry to beauty makeup, as well. His knowledge of both beauty makeup and special effects made him a more valuable resource to many productions. With a new skill set, he found work in the feature film industry in NYC area quite quickly. Bouncing from one feature film to another, and finally landing a full-time position at Law and Order SVU..DT: How long have you been in your chosen profession? What was the turning point for you to call it a career?.MH: First professional job was 1996, working in the back lot of Universal Studios Florida. I banged on the door of the makeup trailer and demanded a job from Lou Lazzara, makeup department head for Seaquest D.S.V. I basically did a free internship in the fx makeup dept for two months, after my full-time day gig. Taking that leap of faith changed my life. Lou ended up hiring and putting me on payroll..DT: In a business where "new products" and knowledge is key, share some of your favorite fx products?.MH: I think alcohol-based paint (changed the game), easily mixed silicone, and Prosaide 3-D transfers changed our industry. I love the "flesh realism" you can achieve with all these products..DT: How important is beauty and fashion trends for you?.MH: In regard to beauty in our industry (film and television), we are kept to a certain aesthetic for each character and or show. Many projects have to be very realistic (as far as makeup). I have to play within the guidelines of the show or network. So, being updated on new colors and skincare is paramount, as long as it plays into the character guidelines..DT: It's the beginning of a new decade, what intentions have you set forth this season/decade?.MH: My intention, for this decade, is to better myself and try something I haven't done. Continue to strive to be better – improve, educate, [and] push myself to go outside of my comfort zone. .All these actions (taken above) will also inspire and push me tackle new projects; my 10-year goal is to be more advanced than I am today (or tomorrow). So, researching products, [finding] new talent, [observing] others work, and [being] in tune with what's next. You can always learn, share, and promote one another as artists.. #gallery-12 { margin: auto; } #gallery-12 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-12 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-12 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ .DT: What great lesson would you share with younger artists?.MH: Don't be afraid to make mistakes and don't be afraid to admit when you don't know something. Accepting your failures and overcoming them!.DT: What is your passion and purpose?.MH: My passion is to be creative; if I'm not creative, a part of my soul dies a little bit. It's important to always challenge myself on set, or even doing a project at home..DT: Finish this sentence, "the shift I would like to see in the world is…".MH: "I would like to see patience and compassion towards other human beings.Name: Michael Harvey.Job Title: Makeup Department Head, Law and Order SVU.Instagram: @mikemakeup.Website: www.makeupmikeharvey.com
Michael Harvey is currently the makeup department head for Law and Order SVU; and, has been with the show since 2011. He oversees the look of the show's characters; and, designs and executes all of the special makeup effects. He manages a pretty robust makeup team from the Local 798, as well as, the application and managing the makeup needs for principal talents on Law and Order SVU: Ice T, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, and Jamie Gray Hyder, to name a few.Michael's work can range from a stellar beauty look, men's grooming, to a gruesome bloody dead corpse all in the same scene. His work has been featured in: Isn't It Romantic (2019), The Tick (2017), Bloodrunners (2017), Sneaky Pete (2017), Marvel projects, and Men In Black 3 (2012).His career in makeup started back in 1996 in Florida, where he assisted the department head on a television show with special effects makeup applications. From there, he found himself in [the] New York City/Philadelphia area at a time, with little to no work in his craft as a special effects makeup artist. He had to expand his scope of artistry to beauty makeup, as well. His knowledge of both beauty makeup and special effects made him a more valuable resource to many productions. With a new skill set, he found work in the feature film industry in NYC area quite quickly. Bouncing from one feature film to another, and finally landing a full-time position at Law and Order SVU..DT: How long have you been in your chosen profession? What was the turning point for you to call it a career?.MH: First professional job was 1996, working in the back lot of Universal Studios Florida. I banged on the door of the makeup trailer and demanded a job from Lou Lazzara, makeup department head for Seaquest D.S.V. I basically did a free internship in the fx makeup dept for two months, after my full-time day gig. Taking that leap of faith changed my life. Lou ended up hiring and putting me on payroll..DT: In a business where "new products" and knowledge is key, share some of your favorite fx products?.MH: I think alcohol-based paint (changed the game), easily mixed silicone, and Prosaide 3-D transfers changed our industry. I love the "flesh realism" you can achieve with all these products..DT: How important is beauty and fashion trends for you?.MH: In regard to beauty in our industry (film and television), we are kept to a certain aesthetic for each character and or show. Many projects have to be very realistic (as far as makeup). I have to play within the guidelines of the show or network. So, being updated on new colors and skincare is paramount, as long as it plays into the character guidelines..DT: It's the beginning of a new decade, what intentions have you set forth this season/decade?.MH: My intention, for this decade, is to better myself and try something I haven't done. Continue to strive to be better – improve, educate, [and] push myself to go outside of my comfort zone. .All these actions (taken above) will also inspire and push me tackle new projects; my 10-year goal is to be more advanced than I am today (or tomorrow). So, researching products, [finding] new talent, [observing] others work, and [being] in tune with what's next. You can always learn, share, and promote one another as artists.. #gallery-12 { margin: auto; } #gallery-12 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-12 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-12 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ .DT: What great lesson would you share with younger artists?.MH: Don't be afraid to make mistakes and don't be afraid to admit when you don't know something. Accepting your failures and overcoming them!.DT: What is your passion and purpose?.MH: My passion is to be creative; if I'm not creative, a part of my soul dies a little bit. It's important to always challenge myself on set, or even doing a project at home..DT: Finish this sentence, "the shift I would like to see in the world is…".MH: "I would like to see patience and compassion towards other human beings.Name: Michael Harvey.Job Title: Makeup Department Head, Law and Order SVU.Instagram: @mikemakeup.Website: www.makeupmikeharvey.com
