Moving to LA!

The dream has continued! In late August of 2019 I moved down to Long Beach, California with my wonderful boyfriend Parker to pursue my career in makeup. I know this was the right move to make, Portland was a wonderful city and I do miss it already but the film industry up there was getting more difficult to stay in with such little work for newer artists like myself. Although I had great mentors there and people who helped me find work and opportunities I thought I would take my chance now to jump into the world of Hollywood…well, as close as I could get at least. Long Beach, although no film work around here, is a beautiful place! The beach is 8 minutes away from our apartment, we have gone on so many adventures already it’s a dream! I knew when I came down here it would be a bit tough to jump into the film industry right away, I thought I had made enough connections and knew enough people to get me started, but 3 months in and it’s dead quiet. I hope to find a great project soon, no matter the size, so I can feel the creative juices flowing once again!

I do miss the rain, that’s for sure. But visiting family during the holidays should help that go away. I hope to come back SOON with more pictures of my latest work and continue to take off from this dream even more. Step one: move down to California is DONE! Now it’s time to kick it into gear. Wish me luck! And thank you to all who visit my portfolio.

Treasure (2019)

One of my best connections I met through Portland State University was Monty Wolfe. He was already a filmmaker, his first big film was In Pieces (2018) which he won Best LGBTQ Short Film from the Oregon Independent Film Festival. His second piece he had been working on in one of our last classes together, and I immediately told him that I would like to be a part of it. I was given the head makeup artist position, created multiple latex prosthetics for the massacre scene, and it was an amazing experience. The film has not been released yet, but the trailer is available. I cannot wait to see the finished product, I know it will be amazing!

Treasure - Written & Directed by Monty Wolfe. Trailer Music by Bensound.com

Background Noise

At PSU tv as I was about to graduate from college I was brought in to the team to produce their large film of the year (yet to be released) Background Noise (2018). As soon as it does come out I hope to post it here, but until then I have a few shots and the trailer. The shoot took over 5 weeks to produce so I was a part of a rotating team of makeup artists, I worked on about 3 weeks and got the chance to work with so many aspiring actors and filmmakers. We shot all over Portland, and even with a low budget we made something special. This was the first time that I was in charge of a set as the sole makeup artist, I had to get through 15 extras and 4 main characters all on my own in just about an hour. It was hectic, it was long nights, but it was the best kind of challenge to take on.

Misfits

Kameron Gates brought me on as his assistant to this new concept episode for a television show produced by Haunting of Sunshine Network and funded by Disney. The project was going to be big, we had many silicone molds to make and prosthetics to create. I learned so much in that experience, and although it is not all my original work I was given permission to post these photos and my story. Although nothing ever happened to the show, it was an amazing experience.

We made tree molds out of silicone, antlers out of foam (so much shaving!), latex head pieces, pros aid transfers, and lots of fur. We used alcohol paints and cremes to create gorgeous mystical looks that I will now never forget. It truly was magical. Working on the prosthetics as well as being on set was fantastic, it was a mix of applying the big pieces as well as simple beauty looks and touch ups. It truly was magical!

photo credits: Haunting of Sunshine Network

Makeup Assistant: Come to Daddy (2016)

One of my first experiences being on a professional film set was with Martin Vavra and Rowan Spiers-Floyd back in 2016 in Portland, Oregon. They taught me the rules of being on set, and now as I search back through my photos that I have to take pictures! I have no on set photos, and the other short film has been deleted so all I have is Come to Daddy (2016) by Martin Vavra. I am truly thankful for their lessons and that they gave me a chance. It is where I met Kameron Gates and became obsessed with living the set life!

Moving to Portland, Oregon

I moved to Portland, Oregon from Ashland after high school to attend Portland State University. I knew back in high school I would go to school for film, later to makeup, and my journey had already started. In high school as part of my theater troupe I won the State Competition in makeup design in 2012, the next year placing third in my short film. I was ready to get my degree and be a part of the independent film community that was considered “little Hollywood” by many (I’ve heard many places claim that though). Through PSU I found a great team at PSU tv who were in need of a makeup artist for their larger film sets and I jumped on board right away. The experience there has created a great connection of young and inspiring filmmakers I am glad to call my friends. My first real connection (it’s all about who you know!) was to Martin Vavra, a friend of my mothers from Ashland who now owned his own studio in Portland created short films and being a part of the Grimm set life. Through him I met Kameron Gates, a lead makeup artist in town. He and I have gone on to work together for the past 3 years and he taught me more than I could ever dream of. Through him I also met Sarah Prevo, she helped me get jobs as soon as I was out of school. What a wonderful community to be a part of!

I am hoping to document my last 3 years of working in Portland, Oregon as my functioning resume. It will be an adventure that keeps on going, more will be added soon.

Makeup and Photo Credit: Emma Resk