We were lucky to catch up with Madeleine Maloy recently and have shared our conversation below.
Madeleine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
For the past 15 years I have been making my living in the creative arts but it wasn’t until I moved to Los Angeles from New York in 2015 that I was truly able to find upward mobility in one industry. For years I tried any creative job I could find; from Scenic Painter to Art Handler, Costume Designer to Prop Master, Set Designer to Production Designer. I worked in Theater, Opera, Museums, Galleries, Indie Films, Children’s television, Music Festivals, I even art directed corporate compliance training videos. Each one of those jobs taught me some new skill, a new way to look at creative problem solving. I am self taught in basically everything I do and all of those skills came from learning in the field. Trial by fire isn’t for everyone but for someone like myself, however stressful it is – I prefer that level of pressure. I do believe if I had known all those years ago how much the Film Industry would have resonated with me, I would have taken a more traditional path of going to film school or at least moving to Los Angeles earlier in my youth, but honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. I am so thankful for all of the surprising opportunities that have led me to where I am today.
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?
I primarily work as an Art Director and Production Designer in the Film Industry, as well as in Themed Entertainment – also known as Immersive Entertainment. Additionally, I am a member of the Art Directors Guild, IATSE Local 800.
Depending on the type of project, I can present my services as an all inclusive design company which includes an impeccable team of creatives covering essentially every role in the art department and beyond, or as an individual. In either situation, having the opportunity to work within a team and help bring a larger vision to life is something I truly love to do. Fostering the growth of those around me and seeing a piece of art come to fruition is magical.
On a very basic level, Art Direction is about communication, understanding and connection. You have to be able to juggle many items at once, fight for the vision of the piece but also keep everything grounded as much as possible without stifling the creative intent. When getting the opportunity to Design, sometimes you’re fighting solely to dream and see the potential in something. It may be less about reality and more about staying in a space of child-like wonder. Both roles are incredibly valuable and one cannot exist without the other. My dream in life is to design a feature film and leave my own mark on cinema. I admire Production Designers who think outside of the box and create high concept work that sticks with the audience. I hope to get the opportunity to do the same.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson that I had to unlearn is that your work successes are your value in life. I now try to teach my friends and colleagues that ‘Success is not linear and the Industry is not a Meritocracy’. What I mean by saying that is – in a workplace where we are taught to chase approval it can often feel like we are failing when we are not constantly on top, but that is not the case. Large jobs, small jobs, one does not devalue the other. The learning that is done along the way, the empowerment that is gained, the found community, the resilience – that is the success story.
Last year I got a major opportunity to work with Lucas Film, something I could have never anticipated. But the year before that was extremely dense with freelance jobs that ranged from Youtube to brand campaigns to Comic Con activations; and this year I’ll be on one immersive project until the fall – there is no way to know what will happen or what will lead to the next thing. You have to find joy and gratitude in everything.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I think the best thing any society can do to support the artistic community is to participate in it! Don’t restrict it, don’t constantly debate it or tear it apart, be thankful that we have it. It’s not only the responsibility of the political administration to fund arts education and support arts organizations but also our own personal responsibility to enjoy the artistic world around us. Go out to a movie, see a concert, watch a dance performance, see a puppet show, go to a museum, draw on the ground with sidewalk chalk – whatever you desire. Art is the heartbeat of history.
I am based in Los Angeles so I would also like to shout out #StayinLA, a grassroots movement bringing visibility to how production work can be brought back to California through legislation and community outreach. We the people are coming together in so many ways to change the problems we see around us. Whatever the future holds, let’s all continue to find inspiration in each other.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.MadeleineMaloy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madeleinemakes/