MUD Celebrates Our Emmy Nominated Grads: Carleigh Herbert and Hugo Villasenor

Carleigh Herbert

If you’ve ever watched American Horror Story, you know that the make-up and effects are always incredible. Whether it be Hypodermic Sally’s dark smoky eyes in Hotel or Twisty the Clown’s aged face paint in Freak Show, make-up is used to create the illusion of monsters, evil spirits, and everything in between. A limited series telling tales of disturbed horror and violence, the characters of American Horror Story play the ultimate canvas for a talented make-up artist who is prepared to stretch her artistic skill. 

Thus, we are so proud to say the make-up artist nominated this year for two Emmy’s for her work on American Horror Story: Cult is MUD grad Carleigh Herbert. This year, she has been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Makeup for a Limited Series or Movie (Non-Prosthetic) and Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie or Special for her work on AHS. Carleigh Herbert has also developed a substantial portfolio outside of Cult, including a 2017 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Makeup for a Limited Series or Movie (Non-Prosthetic) for American Horror Story: Roanoke in 2017.

Upon graduating from MUD, Herbert assisted in make-up FX shops to further refine her prosthetic skills. Within one decade, she moved on to working on cult television shows like American Horror Story, which display her special effects mastery with and without prosthetics. She told IMATS “I am constantly working to become a stronger and more established artist.”

Hugo Villasenor

Hugo Villasenor, a Make-Up Designory graduate from our Burbank school, has a diverse resume. From being the make-up shop supervisor for 2006 film Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny to working as a make-up artist on The Conjuring 2, his work covers a wide range within the special effects make-up world. Some of his credits also include Clown, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, The Bad Batch, Mystery Science Theater 3000, and Anabelle: Creation.  

Photo courtesy of IMATS

This year, however, Hugo Villasenor finds himself with his first Emmy nomination for his work on Star Trek: Discovery. He has been nominated for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie, or Special for the make-up in an episode titled “Will You Take My Hand.” This was the fourteenth and last episode of the season.

Photo courtesy of Mashable

Supervising Sound Editor Jon Mete and his team have also been nominated for Outstanding Sound Editing for an episode of the series titled “What’s Past is Prologue.” Gathering critical acclaim all around, Star Trek: Discovery is certainly taking a spot in the media spotlight. MUD is incredibly proud of our graduate, Hugo Villasenor. Live long and prosper!