ABOUT ME
I am Sophie McKenzie. I am a qualified character designer, qualifying from IADT in "Design for stage and screen" In 2020. I have always had a keen interest and love for anything film and theater. I have created a range of characters over the years and enjoy watching and bringing them to life to enhance any performance. I am committed to this career and welcome the many more opportunities it will bring me. I am confident in my communication skills, allowing me to work independently or as part of a team to bring professionalism and uniqueness to any film or theater work. I have good organisational skills and will bring fun, creativity, imagination and uniqueness to your performance. Contact me through this website for further information, you won't regret it !
I have worked on the set of the Opera "Aida" that took place in the Bord Gais Theater, Dublin, in November, 2018. This two weeks work experience allowed me the opportunity to develop my skills further in Character design. I gained exposure and experience working behind the scenes for the tech rehearsals needed to produce the opera. I was also worked with the performers, making sure that their hair and make-up was applied professionally and on time before each performance. the role of job was to go around to each performer and make sure their hair and makeup were ready. This experience allowed me to work professionally and creatively on the performers, back stage and as part of a team that made sure the Aida Opera was a success each night while showing in the Bord Gais Theater.
I worked on the Opera "Banished". A new opera in collaboration with the cast of RIAM’s and writer Stephen McNeff. "Banished" was set in the historic surrounds of Kilmainham Gaol, under the direction of Irish Times Director of the Year, Catriona McLaughlin and conductor Andrew Synnott. This Opera was Presented in partnership with the Office of Public Works and Kilmainham Gaol Museum and in collaboration with Design for Stage and Screen, IADT Dún Laoghaire.
In this new and unique Opera I worked on two performers, to create a hair and make-up look that was suitable and created for this distinct Opera. The location for the "Banished" Opera added a unique history and feeling to the performance and allowed me to make the quick changes needed to each performer, making this Opera a success each night. This opera was attended by Ireland's President Micheal D Higgins and the actor John C. Reily.
One reviewer noted the performance as ‘an impressive demonstration of the high standards being obtained in Dublin conservatoires today’. As a character Designer I was proud to be apart of an Opera that was new and unique and allowed me to be creative and bring my skills as a character design to the fore.
I was hired as a character Designer for the local pantomime "Cinderella" in Dublin. I designed and created the look of the two ugly stepsisters. I worked each night with the cast and made sure that each performer was happy with their hair and make-up so that they felt comfortable to give a great performance each night.Each opportunity allows me to continue to develop and use my skills as a character Designer.
In 2018 I worked with master students who came from abroad to Ireland to gain knowledge in film as part of their experience in college. Part of this experience was to set up and establish a full crew. As part of this crew a crew I was given the role of makeup artist. I was given the responsibility to create two characters based on a script that told a story, set in Dublin in the 1940's during the 1916 rising. I designed and created the look of the two main characters in this short film. I made sure that the hair and make-up suited the era of the time and that their was a realness and believability to the looks. The short film was written and produced over two day. I successfully worked under pressure made sure that my role as make-up artist was professional and captured the feeling of each character on set.
