From corporate to MUA, find out how Ebony Kay's had a client base before finishing MU school

Send us Fan MailThis week: getting personal with Ebony Kay, film, TV and special effects mua and prosthetics specialist. From a creative arts background at school to falling in love with special effects artistry and anything involving character-creation, Ebony had over 200 hours of work experience when she finished studying and launched her freelancing career.  Are you interested in special effects? Not sure what’s involved or where to start… listen as we dive into the details with Ebony, as she shares her work experience, when she realised this is what she wanted to specialise in and how fellow artists are your biggest teachers and best contacts.KEY TAKEAWAYS:LET’S TALK PROSTHETICS. Companies need special affects for campaigns, such as anti-smoking, pool safety, hospitals, fire brigade, world vision, etc. They need injury simulation and training activities, but it also gives you creative freedom to build quirky characters, develop character plots and bring to life the unimaginable.  Moving to LA to understand prosthetics, Ebony studied an advanced prosthetics course where she learnt creature prosthetics, like Men In Black style. From there she got an internship in the special effect’s lab, working with Universal Studios and Monster Palooza. Later in her career, Ebony collaborated with fellow artist, and together they launched Australian Effects Studio (no longer in operation). FUN FACT: Ebony had to build a prosthetics workshop in a makeup bus for a film she worked on in NZ. She transformed one side into prosthetics and special effects and used the other side as her makeup studio. INSIDE FILM.  From independent films, short films and student films to TV film and universal studios – there are different avenues for artists to learn the ‘rites of passage’, and each company has their own system, but it’s all similar.  Inside the world of film it’s important to learn your place, when to step in and what’s expected of you. You can expect to do lots of paperwork and photos. The photos help with continuity on set, for example how the hair will move when the actor/actress walks through the door, where it’s going to land. It’s these minute details that are critical to character development, and many artists don’t anticipate the paperwork that is involved with it.  You’ll be printing the photos and writing the notes. If you’re lucky you’ll have an iPad to record it all, but if you’re working on a small set or indie film you might need to practice reading your scribble!  Ebony explains what ‘continuity’ is, it’s the continuation of makeup to make sure it matches from scene to scene. As most shows and films aren’t shot in sequence, you always need to make sure that the makeup, hair and special effects match. Maintaining the look so that the viewer isn’t distracted by something that’s visually incorrect on set.  TEACHING & LEARNING.  Ebony didn’t realise how much work would come from other makeup artists. The industry, although huge, is also actually really small. It’s who you know, in terms of landing jobs. Yes, skill is super important, but treat building your networks and learning from others with the same emphasis. And share your skills, and your knowledge with other artists. Learn to be open and have no ego, value other artists in the industry.The Hair Edit Waitlist Follow TMI on IG Follow Vanessa on IGThe Makeup Insider Blog The Makeup Insider TikTok