Lights! Camera! Action! Words I dreamt of hearing my entire life. I grew up wanting to be an actress. Doesn’t every little girl want to be an actress? That is when life happens and everyone tells you to figure out what you want to do with your life; something that is sensible and responsible and ‘realistic’. I found myself in jobs that used some of my skill set, but didn’t make me come alive. I was content enough to live my life, find the man I was going to marry and become a mom. I was on my way to that, my eyes set on that altar, when my world came crashing down, sending me out to Nashville for healing and refuge. Once in Nashville, I had a new beginning. Through various conversations I decided to aim a little higher into the dream category and go to school for Makeup Artistry.
I started searching and finally came across AMUA online and decided to reach out. Before I knew it, I had interviewed, been accepted and started following my dream to becoming a professional makeup artist. While in school, an art, that was once used for play, started opening my eyes to an incredible future. I dove into the lessons and my creativity came alive. I was sitting right where I was supposed to be.
A few weeks into school I got to work on my first short film. I was incredibly nervous and was not sure what to expect. I went to set with a bit of information in my back pocket… “Fake it ‘til you make it” kept playing on repeat. Not confident? Fake it. Don’t want the nerves to get you down? Fake it. This tip helped set the tone for the rest of the production as well as putting my name in their heads as a repeat makeup artist.
After working on my first set, I was hooked. I knew that this was where I wanted to be. I started reaching out to friends and asking if they knew of anyone who needed a makeup artist. I emailed photographers and got on every website I could think of to try and find ways to get work. I researched makeup artists and asked them if they needed an assistant, some of whom were in states nowhere near me. I just wanted a chance and I was ready to fight. And guess what. I got jobs.
Now, I am packing up my things in Nashville, getting ready to move out to Los Angeles, California. I had an interview with the Weinstein Company and I am beginning the adventure of touching and feeling my dreams. I am heading to work and I get to hear those three beautiful words that I dreamt of long ago as a child. I get to make something beautiful and tell stories with my craft. I get to touch lives; this time from behind the camera.
Sometimes you just need to put yourself out there. Work hard and pursue your dreams. You just may find the steps that take you there.