We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brittany Lessard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brittany below.

Brittany, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I was always into beauty makeup, but it wasn’t until I was about 15 or so that I discovered the world of Special Effects. I was so obsessed with it so quickly, I remember spending every penny I made at my little grocery store job on whatever FX supplies I could get my hands on in my small town in Oregon. There weren’t any classes around me, and my family and I couldn’t afford tuition and moving costs for me to attend a school out of state, so I spent countless hours online researching. From watching my favorite horror movies over and over, to studying the work from the legends in FX like Ve Neil and Rick Baker, and practicing on myself and family members until 4am most nights, I was determined to learn on my own. I know money and attending school would have made learning so much more streamlined, but looking back I’m really grateful for the path I had to take. I think it really helped me become innovative and challenge what I could do creatively. I learned the power and importance of hard work and dedication. I’m 27 now, and have been able to make makeup my full time career in Los Angeles which back then seemed like just a big city dream for a small town girl. I’m so grateful for my journey, and excited that I’m at a point now where I can afford to attend masterclasses instructed by my favorite artists to continue learning, and even have opportunities to share what I’ve learned to those starting out exactly where I did.

Brittany, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Me name is Brittany Lessard, I specialize in Special Effects Makeup but I also do a lot more as well! Alongside almost every style of makeup, I do a lot of work with costuming, styling, hair knotting, and some prop fabrication. I’ve always strived to be very versatile even in the jobs I’ve had in the past, and it’s been incredibly helpful when I’m working with clients or on set. Wardrobe malfunctions are always unexpected and difficult, and being proficient in hand sewing and costume repairs has saved the day more times than I can count. I really love being able to not only do my job as a makeup artist well, but be available and efficient at jumping in to fix just about any problem that could arise with the talents final look.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

So much of the work that creatives put into people favorite films, tv shows, theatre productions, etc goes unnoticed to the casual viewer. Behind every great production is a team of writers, set dressers, prop masters, makeup artists, composers and musicians, the list goes on! Right now, one of the biggest things people can do to is support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. These incredible creatives work long hours to bring to life stories that bring us into new worlds- fantasy, romance, comedy, horror, and we love it because it makes us feel something. Creatives create emotions for the viewer, something so beautiful that we get to experience as humans, and that can’t be made in a factory. Support fair wages, limiting AI usage, and the time we put into everything we do.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

One of the struggles a lot of us have faced on our journey in a creative field is people telling us it isn’t a real job, that we’re destined to fail, that it’s an impossible field to get into. I had one teacher growing up that said that exact thing to me, and I’ll never forget it. She said it’s too competitive and I would never make it. Luckily, I had everyone else in my life who were incredibly supportive. My parents, family, friends, they all kept me so in line with my dreams. If I ever veered off and started settling in a job that they knew I wasn’t happy with, they talked to me about it. They told me if anyone could do it, I could. I think that was one of the biggest reasons why I am where I am today. A support system and people that believe in you is so important. If you have a friend or child or whomever with a big dream, don’t dim it because you’re afraid they won’t achieve it! That’s one of the best parts about dreaming big is the journey. Be supportive, be encouraging.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanylessard/
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
@kazuya_photography @_canyoufeelmyhart