Jessica Padilla: Tips And Tricks From Emmy Award Winning Makeup Artist
A successful film or television series is the result of the work of a whole team of people. Today we will talk about working in the film industry with someone who is an integral part of it; someone who is difficult to do without; someone who is responsible for the beauty of the frame — a makeup artist.
Our guest of honor — Emmy Award Winning NYC based Makeup Artist Jessica Padilla, who works on film, TV and editorial. It was she who worked on the makeup looks of the heroes of Pose, Fosse/Verdon, West Side Story, and Wonder Woman: 1984.
The work of a makeup artist from the outside seems incredibly interesting and exciting, but few people know how the work process actually takes place. How to start your journey as a makeup artist in the film industry, how the makeup department works on the set, what to pay special attention to and what to avoid — Jessica Padilla herself will tell you about this and even more.
Questions Jessica answers in this interview:
1. Her back story and how she entered the makeup industry.
2. Her first paid client, how much did she charge and her thoughts and emotions.
3. What makeup kit product can Jessica not live without, compared to when she first started and how important is kit for her?
4. What are the most influential books, videos, podcasts and other resources?
5. What makeup look that she completed in film is iconic for Jessica and why?
6. Her advice for makeup artists who are just starting out.
7. How does Jessica make the team trust her on set and is the relationship of the team important?
8. Experience working in film and television, specifically on Fosse/Verdan, West Side Story and Pose.
9. Is it important for makeup artists to have a personal style and should they stand out with their clothes and makeup?
10. Where can we go to find out more about Jessica and her work?
Photo credits: Mark Bradley Miller
We want to share with you inspiring and interesting quotes from Jessica from our interview.
About working on Fosse/Verdan, West Side Story and Pose: “I’ve been really lucky in my career that I’ve gotten to work on things that really spoke to me on an artistry level and on a personal level!”
About team leadership: “Leading with love is really easy. It is really easy to be considerate and kind and still get what you need or what you want.”
About the importance of developing a vision for a makeup artist:
“I think it is really important to know our history. Because I work on film and TV a lot there are a lot of times when I need to know a very specific period reference to recreate something. So I constantly buy books, coffee table books, reference books. Some of them are makeup books and some of them are costume history books. Go to museums, look at paintings, watch movies — it is really important to keep growing your knowledge.”
Advice for makeup artists who are just starting out:
1. Get an education for sure!
2. Find artists that are doing the kind of work that you want to be doing.
3. Have an artist community and support system of people you can ask advice from.
Jessica is convinced: “Even when you are starting out it is really important to charge from the very first day.”
“I encourage artists to not be so locked into a product brand or type. Exploration is really key.”
Clean, neat, professional — this should be the personal style of the makeup artist according to Jessica: “Be you, but be THE BEST you. Remember, it’s always like you are making a first impression. Think about what you want to say with that first impression.”
You can find more about Jessica Padilla on her website www.nogutsnoglamour.com as well as on her Instagram account @nogutsnoglamour.
Jessica is also the Membership Director of Local 798 LOCAL798 (an IATSE Union for Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists, whose jurisdiction spans from Maine to Florida), and is available to answer questions you may have about joining and the union, which you can reach her directly at membership@local798.net!