Girls Like Gore Too
By J. Jekyll
May 2009
Goremaster.com
Makeup artist Eryn Krueger Mekash took some time out of her hectic film and television schedule to graciously answer some questions for GoreMaster. Some of Eryn's impressive list of credits include: Flags of Our Fathers (2006), Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996-2003), Letters From Iwo Jima (2006), Alpha dog (2006), Nip/Tuck TV series, and Prom Night (2008). She shares her story and how much the"old school" makeup effects influenced her decision to become a "killer" makeup artist. |
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GM: Are there any new breakthroughs or ideas in the industry that excite you?
EKM: Christien is always coming up with something new. He is above and beyond ahead of everyone else. I’m always impressed. His transfers have made my job achievable. With the time that I had with our episodic schedule on “Nip/Tuck”, I needed to work fast to age our main cast. He and Miles Teves sculpted the old age makeups and made silicone prosthetics and transfers that Bill Corso, Stephanie Fowler, and myself applied. The result was fantastic and we were nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series for 2006. He is always making my job easier-I never have to worry if I’m getting quality pieces and effects.
Nip/Tuck stars Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh in old age episode
GM: What is a current project you are working on? Or what project are you excited about?
EKM: Right now, I’m on a new Fox show called “Glee”. Its by the same creator of “Nip/Tuck”, Ryan Murphy. I also did his film “Running With Scissors”-I love working for him. “Glee” is a happy show, though-it’s a nice change of pace from the darkness of “Nip/Tuck”. Its about glee club misfits-the anti-“High School Musical”. No gore, but the big challenge is our cast-25 main actors. We have as many as 40 dancers in some scenes (lots of fans and sweat control) and our usual routine is getting 14 actors ready for the first scene of the day. Kelley Mitchell is my awesome second. We just Go-go-go!
GM: Do you have advice for a beginner or someone just getting started in the business?
EKM: Keep making those phone calls and taking pictures of your work. Take classes, attend makeup shows and shake some hands. Don’t be afraid to hand out a business card. Back when you went in for interviews at shops, you took a portfolio. Now you can set up a website for lots of people to access. I always get calls from people who I don’t know-cold calling takes a lot of courage, but it pays off. Makeup artists I work with now called and bugged me- I will always give someone a chance who has the perseverance to take that step.
GM: What was the best advice/training you ever received?
EKM: Always hire people that are better than you. You always look great and you don’t have to worry as much about the little stuff. That being said, an addendum I follow is always give credit to the people who did the work. I’m the first person to toot my crew’s horn. You can accept the praise from directors and producers all day long, but if you don’t acknowledge the artists that back you up, eventually no one will want to work with you. The best training I received was starting at the bottom at the makeup effects shops around town. I worked there for about 4 years. There were and still are only a few women who work in shops. It gave me invaluable experience on how much gags cost, what time goes into making them, and how to deal with creative people. I learned to prioritize the details from the “small stuff”. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. I think it makes a makeup artist very well-rounded.
Check out Eyrn's portfolio at: http://www.famehog.com/erynkruegermekash
See more Professional Artist portfolios at:
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