Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie DeForrest.
Melanie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a young artist growing up in Southern Delaware, I always had dreams of moving out to Hollywood and was introduced to makeup after being asked to be an apart of the Highschool theatre company. I was attending the Makeup Designory in California and worked on my first film as a makeup artist at the age of 20. After six years of living in LA, I was craving culture and tradition and made the decision to the New Orleans. In Nola, I found it was just what I needed at that time in my life. I ended up meeting amazing people and working on some really beautiful films. In 2012 I was hired as the key makeup artist for the film Dallas Buyers Club starring Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto. The following year the film and the makeup department were nominated and won at the Academy Awards. It was such an amazing experience. That win leads me to be the Key makeup artist on Jurrasic World, which was my first big blockbuster movie and I was on top of the world! I continued to work on great films and TV shows over the next few years until my now husband and I made the decision to pack up to see what amazing adventures we would have in Atlanta.
Since living in Atlanta, I have had opportunities such as leading The Young Workers Committee for our makeup union IATSE local 798, working on such shows as Avengers Infinity War, End Game, Black Panther, Noelle and so many more.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I would say its been a bumpy ride, but all in all, those bumps have made me a better person and artist. I think some of the biggest challenges have been the uncertainty in our industry since its in the hands of voters and politicians as the film industry relies on incentives. The state of Georgia was really smart when they built it into the constitution for the state and all of the lawmakers are for the industry and the success it brings to the state.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Over the last 16 years, I have been a makeup for film, TV, print and commercials. I specialize in beauty and prosthetic makeup and have been known for my makeup style to create the best look for the client, whether it be an actor, model, or bride. As a freelance artist, I am so proud to have been a part of some iconic films like Get out and Black Panther, working on both films opened my eyes more to how important it is to not just being able to work on light and darker skin tones but also the immense struggle people of color experience everyday.
What sets me apart from others would be my equal ability to produce both beauty and SPFX makeup looks as well as being a strong, fair, trustworthy leader all while having fun! I always want to make sure everyone I work with and work for is treated fairly and included on everything. There is no better way to work then to work together and feel respected. I find that working with mindset takes the stress off of everyone to be able to do the best makeup work they were hired to do and give the client the best experience.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I would personally define my success by the people around me and the projects I work on. Obviously, being the key makeup artist of an academy award-winning film was a big marker, but as that has passed, I’ve really understood that the biggest successes are the relationships I have held on to and grown from the ground.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1860 South Gordon St. SW Atlanta GA 30310
- Website: Www.MelanieDeforrest.com
- Phone: 302-381-2688
- Email: melanie@melaniedeforrest.com
- Instagram: @melaniedeforrest and @melanie_maquillage
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2012809/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 and
Image Credit:
Stephen Wilson Photography, Blue Whale Studio
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