Today we’d like to introduce you to Austyn Cuccia.
Austyn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My father, Vic Cuccia, likes to say I was born into the film industry. I would ditch school to go to work with dad any chance I’d get. At a young age, I would observe the different departments working together. I was fascinated by the machine of it all.
As I grew into my teens, I was lucky enough to experiment in different roles of the industry like PA, actor, stunts, and make-up. Dad and I would joke around saying we tricked the system because while I was working background I was also getting my “film degree”.
My passion for the make-up department grew more and more. The character development and creative freedom became an obsession. I knew what I wanted to do in this industry. Once my Jr year of high school was done, I asked my mom if I could drop out of school and go to the make-up school MUD. Easily convinced, my parents agreed. Off to MUD I went and graduated in 2010.
After graduating, I was back on set with dad. He was now on the show SOUTHLAND. He introduced me to the make-up department head Mark Bautista and key make-up artist Kim Collea. They really took me under their wing. I was doing things like cleaning brushes, organizing continuity folders, and soaking in all the tips and trade secrets.
One day in the trailer, the SFX department came to Mark and asked if he could help get the color right on these blood mats they were working on. Mark and Kim were already busy prepping so Mark thought this was a good opportunity for me to work with my hands and be apart of the team. So now, I was challenged with matching these blood mats to the same color of blood Mark and Kim were using for the show.
Challenge excepted! I was given a week to get it done. I went home and did about 30 different color swatches. As I was color swatching, I couldn’t help but be completely shocked that no one was actually making these and selling them. Once I was happy with the color, I made a few mats and brought it back to set. Much to my surprise, they used my prototypes in season 1.
Now knowing this product is an actual NEED and not just a WANT, I knew I had to come up with a better name than ‘Blood Mats’. I asked myself “What is a different word for a mat..?” My answer “RUG!” Literally, that was the extent of it. The same week I turned in my prototypes to production, I went to the Van Nuys courthouse, got my business license and BLOOD RUGS was born on Aug. 19th, 2011.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I’m okay with that. I needed the hustle, I needed the struggle of running a small manufacturing company out of my parent’s garage. It was the only way to learn the ins and outs of the company. I personally only learn from action and experience. Verbal teaching doesn’t do anything for me. It’s always been like that.
Was I scared that I didn’t know anything about business? YES, but I didn’t care. I already knew this was the best way for me to learn, by actually doing the damn thing!
One of the most stressful times thus far was when my family’s home went up for sale. The house sold in three days. Now, out of nowhere, my parents are telling me they are leaving Cali and moving to Washington state in 30 days! I was freaking out. Not only did I have to find a place to live, but I also had to consider where the heck to put Blood Rugs! With the rent in Cali skyrocketing, I couldn’t afford both an apartment and a place for Blood Rugs. Scrambling, I went to my In-laws and asked if I could squeeze into their basement (yes a basement in Cali) with the love in their hearts they agreed. I was there for about five months. We made it work and kept production going. Then, they announced they were moving and here I was freaking out again. That led to a good 3-month period where I was literally making Blood Rugs in our kitchen. Not ideal in any way for anyone involved. Our kitchen was slowing turning pink from all the red dye, and my confidence in making this work was depleting.
Literally the only thing that kept me going was the fact that the orders kept coming in! Thankfully, now we are back in a garage with the in-laws.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Blood Rugs & Layable Liquids story. Tell us more about the business.
Blood Rugs & Layable Liquids is a special effects company specializing in the re-creation of liquid spills. Our reusable, rubber-like substances are easily laid and lifted with no cleanup. By avoiding the use of hazardous materials BR&LL allows for maintained continuity and reduced production costs.
Blood Rugs is the recreation of pools of Blood. It is a rubber-like substance that is hand poured to become the cleanest pool of blood on the market. We customize our pours to fit your vision. Unlike stage blood, with Blood Rugs, you can reuse and reset your blood with keeping continuity the same!
Layable Liquids is the recreation of any liquid spill. It is a rubber-like substance that is hand poured to become the cleanest liquid spill on the market. We customize our pours to fit your vision. Some of our biggest sellers for Layable Liquids are; Milk, Wine, Motor Oil, Antifreeze, and Soda Pop. With Layable Liquids, you can reuse and reset your liquid spills with keeping continuity the same!
What I’m most proud of is that we pride ourselves by hand pouring all our orders. We do not use molds but we embrace the fluid lifestyle of liquid; it only seems right. This allows the customer to be as creative they want. It can be as basic as a pool of blood or as custom as blood flowing down a staircase. We do it all.
In 2018, we were given the opportunity to do our first liquid marketing design. It was for Revlon’s nail polish collection CND VinyLux. This really opened up my eyes to see how Blood Rugs can help other companies with their liquid marketing designs. There are so many Sfx companies out there that do amazing work. I’m happy that Blood Rugs differs from them by just focusing on liquids. We might not be the most requested Sfx company however we are the leading liquid specialists.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe you create your own luck. All the events leading up to being on set with my dad, meeting Mark and Kim, being consistent with showing them how serious I was about my makeup career all led to Mark knowing I was ready for the challenge to create Blood Rugs. Everything truly happens for a reason and I would not change any of it. Even the dark depressing days. I would do it all again the exact same way.
I guess in terms of bad luck, I haven’t been excepted into the 706 makeup union yet. I could have joined but I didn’t. I didn’t feel I was ready and I was neglecting Blood Rugs, so I switched my focus. Again, I know everything happens for a reason and I know that one day, I’ll be there. I’m content right now in learning the important practice of balancing everything in my life.
Pricing:
- Splatter package- 25 drips/trails $15
- Small Blood Rug- 12”-18” irregular $25
- Medium Blood Rug- 18”-24” irregular $50
- Large Blood Rugs- 24”-36” irregular $75
- Custom Blood Rug- $100
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.BloodRugs.com
- Phone: 6617332025
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @blood_rugs
- Facebook: @LayableLiquids
Image Credit:
Personal photo credit- Bri Robynn Rambo
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