Sabinas bloody path back home raises a chill

BLOOD, guts, gore and zombies are all part of Sabina Collman’s business life. As an international hair, makeup and special effects artist, she thrives on the macabre, writes Tom Gillespie.

Having worked on such sets as Game of Thrones and Cemetery Junction, the 2010 British coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, she is at the peak of her profession. Now she has returned to her native Mayo and has set up home near Swinford with her husband Russell and two children, Hayden (2) and Lily (four months).

Sabina wants to use her special skills to promote her new business venture, Anyparty.ie, which offers party options for all ages and for any occasion.

Sabina, who is daughter of Castlebar historian Ernie Sweeney and his wife Susanne, explained: “We are online and also on Facebook. We want to bring a bit of sparkle and magic from abroad to the west of Ireland. I can offer a selection of styles, from natural to classic high fashion to both the contemporary and sophisticated. I want to bring the thrill of my experience working in the film and TV industry both abroad and in Ireland back to Mayo.

“My business was a result of wanting to settle here in the west of Ireland and using my career as a make-up artist to offer a unique experience for children and adults as well as starting a business which would complement a small family.”

The party options on offer from AnyParty.ie are baby showers, men’s make-up, special occasions, debutants, Holy Communion, male grooming, themed parties, hen party, Confirmation, special FXs make up, anniversaries, manvas, pre-teen party, Halloween, milestone birthdays, bride and bridal parties, ladies night out, body art, bump casting, bump painting, fashion make-up, fashion hair, period make-up and period hair. Themed cakes and party food can also be provided to suit any dietary requirements. AnyParty works with all budgets.

Said Sabina: “I was always interested in special effects and makeup and when I was abroad I had the opportunity to look at special effects and the makeup from different cultures. I came to London and I studied in Delmer Academy doing special effects makeup and I am trained in all aspects of makeup. I also had the opportunity to work in the Royal Opera House as well. During one productions I worked on, The Black Dinner, I had to create a special scene. In one of the scenes which is most memorable we were asked to cut the man’s throat with a sword and have blood spurting out everywhere. It was very exciting. With the different techniques we use we have to adjust to whatever type of camera we are working on and how the scene flows.

“It is fantastic work and I absolutely love it. I hope to work on location in the future. For myself at the moment I have a young family and I cannot go away to do these type of scenes.”

Sabina is designing on the Zombie Walk in Castlebar on Halloween night (6 p.m.) in aid of Áirc, supporting children with disabilities. She is offering a reader the chance of winning a makeover for the Zombie Walk. Log onto AnyParty.ie and post a ‘like’. We’ll be publishing a photograph of the Zombie Walk winner in full zombie makeup.