We were lucky to catch up with Samantha Tansey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Samantha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Taking risk in life to pursue our passions or even to fail and realize what we do and do not want are definitely important. Without an element of risk in life we may leave this planet with regret.

One of my biggest risks was probably taking the leap to up root my life to move to LA, I am a UK native and have always dreamt of living and working in Hollywood. Finally in 2018 when I had reached a level of my career I took the leap and got my work visa to be able to pursue my career in Los Angeles.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing – I literally felt humbled having to start my career over essentially in a new city and industry. Granted I had contacts and a network here thankfully but with the unions that are in place it meant I couldn’t just step onto the large scale major budget productions that I had been apart of in the UK.

Despite that – 5 years on, COVID, industry strikes – I am so glad I took the risk to expand my horizons here. I am very happy working and living in Los Angeles, I love what I do, the people I meet as a makeup artist from film, television shows, commercials, music videos, live events etc: the list is endless. My favorite thing is having the opportunity to travel with my job, experience locations that I would never probably had the chance to experience or even know about.

It hasn’t been all smooth – but the risk for me was worth it. I am so glad I did. I always urge anyone who has a passion or curiosity in their heart to at least give it ago. Even if it’s a flop at least you know you tried.

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.

So I am a professional makeup artist for Film and Television predominantly, I have been working in my craft for 12 years and still absolutely love every second of it, I still pinch myself that I get paid and make a living out of working in ‘make beleive’ creating makeup looks and characters.

I always knew I wanted to work in the film and television industry, I actually did my degree in film and TV studies back in the uk at Southampton Solent university – when I graduated I actually fell into the production side of things. However, I realized that spreadsheets and office life wasnt’ a right fit for me, I had always enjoyed being creative, painting, art etc: and it wasn’t until my mum put the idea in my head about makeup that I knew that was the avenue I wanted to get into. So in 2012 I went to Cinema makeup school in LA – not only did I love learning makeup and SFX/Prosthetics but I also fell in love with this city. Knowing one day I’ll be back.

So fast forward to the present day I now work in LA (much sunnier than London) and get to paint faces for a living.

I have been fortunate to be able to department head on some really cool feature films, where I discuss with the director and producer about looks – create designs and of course manage their expectations of what is possible within their budget and what we can make work. One of my favorite things although stressful – is trying to work out a practical effect, and to experiment with different techniques and make some movie magic, that looks perfect for the camera and 9/10 is the most simple thing to create it.

I have always enjoyed working with people, colors and textures so makeup has been a great way for me to explore and tap into that creativity and have fun with it. I tend to pride myself on keeping my cool in stressful situations – maybe it’s the British in me ‘keep calm and carry on’. But at the end of the day – we are creating a fictional world and playing make believe and not curing cancer. It’s always important to keep a level of play in our work and life – otherwise it’s not good for our morale or minds. In a world that is uncertain with so many serious notions going on – we need to have fun when we can…. of course always professional but we need some relief from time to time especially at work.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

This feels like a hot topic – especially now with the growing use of Generative AI and the fear of what that means for everyone but mostly artists.

I think it’s important to make sure we let our government/politicians know that we want laws in place to protect us as humans against losing our jobs to AI. I do believe there is a place for it – however, I do also fear with it ever advancing that a lot of creatives – ESPECIALLY in the entertainment space with tech companies now having the monopoly of film/ tv over old school studios, that many hard working crew members will be replaced.

I really hope that we can use our dollar – that if films that are created by AI – that we show as audiences we respect the level of art and creativity by a human more than a machine that has been programmed.

Go to art shows, support indie movies and small businesses where ever you can. As a community we definitely have power – and I feel we need one another more than ever.

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

The most rewarding part about being a artist for myself is that every day is different, meeting a new person aka canvas, meeting a new creative brief – whether its natural beauty no makeup makeup or something more high fashion or even a complete creature build and designing a whole look and seeing how it comes out in the Final Cut is so rewarding.

Being a freelancer is definitely stressful but I also am someone that thrives from running my own schedule, I love the fact if I want to go on a 3 week vacation I can pick and choose when I do that. I also like that I don’t really have a cap on my earnings – however, obviously there is a level of uncertainty too. Many of us in the film and television industry learnt that last year during the strikes. Although I absolutely supported them – it did put many people and businesses particularly in LA at financial hardship.

But with everything in life there is good and bad. I do like that I get to ignite the creative and innovative side of my brain more often and the bonus is being paid for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.samanthatansey.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/samtanseymakeup