The Calais School had the privilege of having Calais alum Daniel Ferron visit as a guest speaker to work with students and learn about special effects makeup.  Mr. Ferron graduated from The Calais School 25 years ago and and since pursued his dream of working in the film industry. He visited last week to talk to students about the field of makeup effects in the film industry.

He helped teach students the basics of how special effects movie makeup is done. Dan shared his story of how he got into the film industry and shared what it was like to work on film sets alongside actors as famous as Leonardo DiCaprio!

 

Mr. Ferron has Tourette’s Syndrome, but did not let that get in his way of pursuing his dream of working in the film and television business. As a keynote speaker at the 2014 Calais Foundation Gala, he shared,

I have done so much with my life since graduating from The Calais School.  I am a self-taught special effects make-up artist and a well-rounded artist…. I have to tell you that the seven years I spent at Calais were some of the best years of my life.   I was able to be myself and not worry about what others thought.  The staff was wonderful and worked hard not only with me but with all the students academically and personally.  I left here in 1989 with the self-confidence that I don’t think I would have gotten elsewhere.

DSC_0366Mr. Ferron has worked a number of critically-acclaimed films such as The Basketball Diaries, The Departed, and a number of indie films. He is currently filming a documentary about his life with Tourette’s.

Students enjoyed working with Mr. Ferron and will use the tricks they learned from him as they make masks in Mr. Catalano’s art class.  Dan was very pleased with the reception and interest he received from our students, and is looking forward to speaking to our school again. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us!