We recently connected with Micah Laine and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Micah , thanks for joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

Stood up for me. There are moments in the pressure cooker that is the film business where sometimes we are pushed to a point where we behave in ways that disappoint ourselves in the aftermath. Often what happens in those moments is picked apart, taken out of context, and put through the telephone game. And in a business where being liked will get you the job over someone else, what comes out of the other end of the telephone can make or break you. Naturally, very few people will actually want to understand what caused such a reaction and thus, the rumors will be believed more often than the truth. This is one of the times you will be given the insight into who is your friend and who is your coworker.

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.

I am a native ATLien who grew up in the Atlanta film community. I became a Professional Makeup Artist in 2010 with experience in all mediums, but specializing in film and television. I am a member of IATSE 798 and have been licensed as an Aesthetician since 2010. My approach to makeup is clean, fresh and detail oriented. I can give you that flawless no makeup look, glam you up, or find that everyday sweet spot where you look your best. If the script calls for character or period makeup, tattoos, or out-of-kit SPFX, I’ve got that covered too. I’m always happy to help however I can!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

What I enjoy most about working as a makeup artist is the connections I make with others. Some of those connections you find like a light in the dark and they stick with you forever to remind you that diamonds also come from extreme pressure. Obviously, as an artist I enjoy creative expressions and bringing them to life. But the entertainment industry is tough and it doesn’t always promote the best in people. Sometimes you will find yourself wondering what the hell you’re doing there. And usually, around that time, someone will be the light that reminds you why you keep coming back to join the circus. Someone will push you outside of your comfort zone and you’ll find that you still succeeded through that growth. You’ll realize that someone sees something in you that you weren’t able to see in yourself. You’ll find that random project with people that you work with so seamlessly that every day seems like a dream that you don’t want to end because you know how rare that smooth synchronicity can be in the chaos of our industry. When you’re in it, it will seem like it lasts forever. When it’s over, it will seem like it went by in the blink of an eye. But you’ll always remember the diamonds that helped carry you through.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Coworkers are not your friends. We work very long hours in some extreme pressure situations that, at times, borders on trauma bonding. Seriously, IYKYK. This can promote the idea that everyone on set that you have a connection with is your friend. That the crew is like “a family”. This is not the case. It does not matter how long you’ve known someone or how you are connected to them. We all have our roles within our departments and the hard truth is that not everyone is happy for each other in those roles, no matter how loyal they may seem. As I stated previously: this industry doesn’t always promote the best in everyone because it’s tough, you’re chronically in survival mode. Even the most successful and seemingly happy of us succumb to the pressures these jobs place on our lives. Often times, as artists and creatives, we identify who we are with what we do. So when someone feels slighted by another department member, it can feel personal. But usually in those moments, a business decision was made. Because at the end of the day, a production is a business. Yes, you may get flown out to an exotic location and work with people you may not have connected with otherwise, but remember what the flight attendants told you. If the oxygen masks drop down, you always put your own on before helping your friend. During a production, there can and most likely will be a moment where the metaphorical oxygen masks will drop down. It’s in those moments, you will see who is your coworker and who is your friend.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.micahdoesmakeup.com
• Instagram: @micahdoesmakeup
• Facebook: Micah Does Makeup
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/micah-laine-7408b857
• Twitter: @micahdoesmakeup
• IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2691360/