Raritan Valley Community College Launches First-In-State Special Effects Movie Makeup Program

New Jersey has become an unexpected epicenter of the film industry, with a deep well of local talent and camera-ready landscapes that have contributed to the increase in film productions throughout the Garden State. Somerset County’s central location and wealth of resources make it especially poised to support a variety of film initiatives, including unique learning opportunities.

Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC), one of New Jersey’s top-ranked community colleges nestled in the rolling hills of Somerset County, is launching two special effects makeup courses in the summer of 2026 to prepare students to take their artistry to the next level.

“We often hear about students needing to leave home for New York or California to pursue film training. That is no longer necessary. RVCC is offering innovative, homegrown educational pathways that set students up for a launchpad into the industry right here in Somerset County,” said Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson.

RVCC is the only community college within New Jersey to be offering this groundbreaking program. For over a decade the College has offered highly respected, industry-standard certificates in Cosmetology, Nail technology, and Esthetics leading to NJ State licensure, which help students lay the foundation for successful beauty careers in the film world and beyond.

“RVCC’s Workforce Development team is uniquely positioned to meet the evolving talent needs of the film and media industry, serving as a trusted and responsive education partner. With deep regional partnerships, industry-aligned training, and a proven workforce infrastructure, RVCC is strategically positioned to lead and scale this effort for New Jersey’s growing film economy,” said Executive Director, Workforce Development & Career Education Conrad Mercurius.

The special effects courses will cover a wide range of foundational skills, including ‘no makeup-makeup’ looks, contouring and highlighting, and other essentials that equip students to work effectively as makeup artists on set. More advanced techniques - such as how to build wounds from scratch, create the appearance of artificial aging and wrinkles on the skin, and paint and apply bald caps to people’s heads - will be explored as well.

A recent live demonstration given by Beauty Professions Instructors Joyce Spangler and Alayna Cotton offered a window into the layers of skill involved in creating realistic wounds for the camera. Students in the courses will have access to professional grade products and have ample opportunity to build their makeup toolkit with the guidance of these industry professionals.

“What sets RVCC apart is that you get professional development and real-world experience so early on in your career,” said RVCC Alumna and Instructor Alayna Cotton.

RVCC’s 1200-hour Cosmetology program, 600-hour Esthetics program, and the 300-hour Manicurist program are enriched not only by dedicated faculty like Spangler and Cotton, but also the impressive offerings made available to the Somerset County community. This includes the in-house, state-of-the-art Prot?g? Salon and Spa, which allows students to complete training hours required for licensures using the highest standard of clinical-grade skincare and haircare products.

Prot?g? offers affordable salon services to Somerset County, with student employees growing their skills in on-the-ground training with real clients. Additionally, RVCC has forged partnerships with Manville High School and Bound Brook High School to provide students interested in Makeup Artistry a head start. Instructors include local salon and business owners, who have the industry connections and experience to further students’ success.

“We are proud of how we train students to be multifaceted. We teach a blend of soft and hard skills, as well as help students create resumes and social media portfolios to achieve their goals,” said Amy Layton, director of RVCC’s beauty professions program.

Somerset County has made a commitment to remain film ready. Therefore, Somerset County strives to make filming within the area as easy as possible. Recent film productions in Somerset County include “Happy Gilmore II” and “The Night Agent.”

“We are dedicated to having the resources and infrastructure – including and especially the local talent – that allow us to support large-scale blockbuster productions in Somerset County. These specialized courses will ensure that we have highly trained makeup artists right here in Somerset, helping to make our screens come to life,” said Daryl Eisenberg, CSA - owner of Eisenberg Casting and chair of the Somerset County Film Commission.

For more information about how to register in RVCC’s cosmetology programs, email Layton at Amy.Layton@raritanval.edu or call (908) 526-1200.

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About Somerset County

The County of Somerset is committed to excellence and innovation in public service, promoting the well-being of all residents and communities by providing effective, efficient, and responsive leadership.

About Raritan Valley Community College

For over 50 years, Raritan Valley Community College has been serving the residents and businesses of Somerset and Hunterdon counties, providing accessible and affordable high-quality education. The College is committed to fulfilling its mission as an inclusive college community inspiring excellence in education, creating opportunity, and transforming student lives.

Media Captions:

• RVCC Film Training-15: A close-up of the stage blood being applied to create the first layer of the movie magic.
• RVCC Film Training-18: From left to right – RVCC Beauty Professions Faculty Joyce Spangler, Amy Layton, and Alayna Cotton in the special effects makeup classroom.
• RVCC Film Training-22: An RVCC student puts the finishing touches on a mannequin for a hairstyling assignment within Prot?g? Salon and Spa, where RVCC cosmetology students perfect their skills and serve clients.
• RVCC Film Training-25: Instructor Alayna Cotton gives a live demonstration of how to create a realistic-looking wound on the skin.
• RVCC Film Training-29: An overview of the professional toolkit students will receive, and learn how to work with, throughout the course, including stage blood mixture.

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