Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Cassidy.
Caitlin, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been making art all my life. I grew up painting and taking pictures. My dad’s close friend is a costume designer for musical theatre on Broadway and he was the first person, in my life, to ignite that creative flame within. He pushed me to make art and handed me my first set of watercolor paints. From there, I moved into acrylic and oil painting and then into photography. I went on to get my BA in fine art from UCLA. I initially wanted to pursue photography as a career but as soon as it started to shift from film to digital, I wasn’t as inspired. I decided I would keep photography as a hobby, rather than a profession. At this point, my mom suggested going to makeup school because she said I had always been good at it. Something we do our whole lives and everyday as women, I never imagined could be a possible career. But, after all, Boy George and David Bowie were my favorite artists growing up so it would make sense that it would end up being my passion/career path. If that wasn’t a sign for my future, I don’t know what is. I ended up going to makeup school and I felt connected to it immediately. I also grew up on sets because my dad was an actor/writer so to follow a career path in the entertainment industry also made sense. I was now able to make art on a 3-dimensional surface, rather than 2. I found my passion, my calling. I was home.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been a difficult road but nonetheless, I’ve had a blast. With great risk, comes great reward. It’s all about the journey, not the destination, right? Anything worthwhile doesn’t come easy and most days I have to pinch myself because it’s all almost too good to be true. Getting into my union was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever gone after but definitely well worth it. I almost gave up many times but I thank the universe for my beautiful friends and family because they pushed me to stick with it reminding me that it’s what I was born to do. Doing makeup and hair and really anything creative is just the most fun and the money ain’t bad either. Not to mention you meet so many interesting people along the way. Why would that come easy?
What’s your outlook for the industry over the next 5-10 years?
Well, considering the fact we have passed new tax incentives in la which makes it more affordable to shoot here; I believe many more feature films will be coming back to the city instead of being shot in the midwest and the south. That’s exciting. I also see more work being done, as a makeup artist in the CGI world which I have mixed feelings about. It’s great because it brings more work for all of us but I’m an artist at heart, a painter at heart and that gets lost in the CGI world. The craft dissipates for sure.
What would you say has been the biggest challenge for you over the course of your career?
My biggest challenge was getting in the union. It took me 8 years to get into Local 706. They don’t make it easy but definitely worth it in the end. Building a name for myself and building my business wasn’t cake either. Just takes patience, perseverance and lots of hard work.
What would you tell someone who is just starting out?
Stay patient. You need to have a hustler mentality and some serious self-discipline. Know nothing that’s truly worthwhile in life comes easy. And everything that’s worth anything will always involve hard work, patience, and drive but if you want it bad enough you can accomplish all your dreams and more.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.caitlincassidy.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Makethatface
- Facebook: facebook.com/Caitlin.Cassidy.127
- Other: www.imdb.com/name/nm3402134/
