We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Pfalzer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

I met my first client at a 5k cancer fundraiser run called Night Nation Run. I was only 15 at the time, with my mom at this race when we ran into a guy trying to put on some war paint without a mirror or anything. I don’t exactly remember if we approached him or if he approached us, but next I know I’m helping him put this paint on his face- and my mom is telling this guy about how I like to do makeup(SFX makeup). I was kinda embarrassed at the time that my mom was trying to self promote me, but he asked what kind of makeup it was that I liked to do. I explained to him that I liked to do SFX makeup and it had been something I’ve been doing since I was 12. You could see his eyes light up, right before he asked me if I would like to work on his short film that upcoming October to be the SFX artist for the film. We exchanged emails, and I didn’t really think twice about it because it was only June, but sure enough he got in contact with me that September and I had the opportunity to work on my first short film! It was incredibly intimidating as a 15 year old who had never worked on set before, to be on a set with people in their 20s and 30s, but it got the ball rolling for my SFX career and I couldn’t be more thankful. That short film I was also lucky enough to meet David O Anderson, who would end up being the first TV director I would work for doing special effects makeup.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Growing up I never wanted to wear the cute princess, and cat Halloween costumes- I wanted to be scary! That’s what Halloween was all about, right? For the longest time I would pick out the boys costumes because I always thought they were scarier, until around age 12. Instead of going to party city to pick out a costume- I asked my step mom if she could order me some fake blood and liquid latex. Using just that, and some toilet paper, I made my first SFX look ever for Halloween.
After that Halloween of 2016, my love for Special Effects Makeup grew. Any chance I could get I was trying to recreate looks from tv shows and movies trying to get better. Not until 2019 did I work on my first short film for Edgar Moore- but that led me to the next director I would work for in 2020/2021, David O Anderson.
The show was called Unusual Attractions, and it was the first set that I would really get the taste of what it was like to be on a larger budget film. I met so many amazing actors and creators in the Buffalo area from this project alone, and It made me realize that this is what I wanted to do as a full time job one day.
I researched for many years looking for the perfect program to learn about special effects makeup, and I found out Tom Savinis SFX and Prosthetic Makeup program located in Monessen, PA. I am currently in my 3rd semester for the program and am loving everything I have had the opportunity to learn so far. I will be graduating with an Associates degree in Specialized Business this coming February, and hopefully finding a job specializing in Props Production and hair work!
I’m proud of myself for how far I have come just starting out in my bathroom with some latex and fake blood, to being able to create full face prosthetics and props, and I cannot wait to see how much further I will come after completing my program. I also cannot be more thankful for everyone who took a chance on my younger self, allowing me to tag along on set and learn the wonderful ways of film!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best way for anyone in the film industry to gain experience/meet new people is to work on as many sets as you can! I personally have found about 90% of my work from being in local film facebook groups where they will post casting/crew calls. Turning your nose up at low budget films will be one of your biggest mistakes, you have no idea the genuine connections and lessons you will learn from those sets! It may sound cliche, but connections are everything in this business!

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

As a creative mind myself I know that one of the easiest ways to create loyal connections in this business, is to simply support your people. In a world that loves to consume art and media, it is crucial to have other creators backs and show them some love! Even if it is as simple as reposting their casting calls, or spreading the word about the new short film they shot- it really does help build a strong sense of community.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashley.fxpfalzer?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069510584176&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
For the very first photo of me applying makeup to the man with his shirt off, the picture was taken By Faith Desroches