We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Atencia recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Whenever I finish working on a project (film, tv show, music video, etc), I feel completely fulfilled and glad I decided to pursue my career as a Makeup Artist, However, there have been times when I couldn’t find many projects to work on (hello pandemic and then IATSE strike) and I did wonder what it would be like to have a normal job.
The feeling of knowing when my next pay check is coming would definitely be comforting and it would certainly help a lot with anxiety. Still, would that make me feel accomplished later in life? I don’t think so.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Melissa Atencia, I am originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After earning my BA in Filmmaking, I studied in Los Angeles at Cinema Makeup School to get specialized in Makeup (beauty + SFX), where I ended up building a strong portfolio. With the pandemic, I went back to Brazil where I worked on some renowned projects and after that, I moved to Toronto, Canada to restart my life in the film industry.
It’s never too late! I’m very proud of my resilience and never giving up on following my dreams.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Avoid watching or consuming AI-produced content. AI is a serious risk in the creative field, and I hope it won’t catch on, it will only make people lose their jobs and soon enough, the audience won’t know what is real from what is computer-made.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I would be honored to work on a Del Toro production or a Star Wars film/TV show. Those were my main inspirations on becoming a Filmmaker/Makeup Artist. Hope I can get there someday!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.melissaatencia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaatenciamua
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaatenciamua
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaatencia/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9850703/