By J.M.Jeffrey
January 2009
Goremaster.com
GoreMaster recently had the wonderful opportunity to interview makeup artist Kelcey Fry. In her nearly 30 years in the profession, she has worked as an instructor for the Joe Blasco Professional Makeup Training Center, on films such as “Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, “The Pirates of the Caribbean”, and on television series such as “The Riches”. Kelcey gives us some very useful insights into the profession and reflects on an incredible career! |
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GM: How did you become professional makeup artist?
KF: It was recommended to me that I should go to the Joe Blasco Makeup Center. I had set up an interview and interestingly enough during the interview my portfolio of just my beauty makeup came to be impressionable enough to where they offered me in exchange for learning the entire program an opportunity to teach.
I remember being kind of stunned as I stepped out on to Sunset Blvd going “hmmm…I had gone into the interview to be accepted into the course and I come out and I have a job!” That’s how it started. I spent about 6 weeks learning the curriculum working with one of Joe’s associates while he developed the cosmetic company and then later on I worked with Joe to learn all the other areas that were needed. So, that was kind of luck of draw.
GM: Do you have a favorite artist or special effects person that comes to mind?
KF: I have had the opportunity to work with some really amazing people in different capacities, pinpointing [just] one might suggest that I feel that one is better than others. [That is certainly not the case].
I would say that there are several artists who understood that I came from a world where my reputation was known for beauty and gave me opportunities that were kind of into the new boundaries of special effects.
Specifically, [I can name] Mathew Mungle with WM Creations. He really was not only a mentor but somebody who really put his experienced wings around me and said “… Here [are] the basics…now do it.” Even though he was guiding, he kind of let me walk that tight rope and was there as a safety net. He inspired my confidence.
Felicity Bowring is another person who does a lot of big films and she’s someone who can incorporate everything from beauty all the way down to prosthetic design. She is the makeup designer and creator of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” She has been a life long mentor though my career even in my early years.
Of course Ve Neill who embraces a lot of artists on all of her large projects. I remember one time just thinking “Gosh what a dream it would be to just be a part of the expanded crew that she puts together on her big projects.” And so working with her and being a part of all of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies and currently helping her in her background area as coordinator for “The Soloist.”
Working in this very competitive field it’s hard to say to someone, “…should I use the Pros-Aid?” “How do you make those decisions? How do you make it impenetrable from water?” She’s happy to give you a solution based on her experience. That’s kind of a gift when artists don’t hold on to their secrets and put them into a box and don’t reveal them. Each one of these artists particularly to me, have influenced, embraced and mentored me to move outside of the boundaries that I started for myself, which were the basics of beauty and aging and things of that sort.
GM: Earlier when you were explaining a bit of your background you then talked about moving to Los Angeles and getting started in Hollywood. How did you then start obtaining work in the industry?
KF: I’ve noticed as I’ve taught through the years and worked with different people that there are so many different avenues to the main highway. For me personally my success is simply that for 25 years I have been able to put my occupation on my tax return as a makeup artist. It’s extremely competitive; there are not enough jobs for the amount of people who are inspired to take on makeup artistry or hair styling/hair dressing in the industry. I really think that it starts from who you are first. You’re capacity artistically is definitely important.
A lot of it is about personality, because it’s about getting along with all different types of people under all different types of circumstances, it’s stressful, there are long hours, there’s traveling, there’s competitiveness there’s jealousy and politics. Politics is really, really big piece of the pie. Mainly, having the ability to communicate with and read people and deal with all the various working dynamics of people will help to bring you success in this business.
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