October 15, 2016

Meet Pasadena Makeup Artist/Hairstylist: Taylor Eacuello

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Eacuello.

Taylor, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I gained interest in special effects makeup when I was about 6 years old. I used to watch all the classic Universal horror films with my father and would read thru my DK a Special Effects in Film and Television book like a bible. I was fascinated by transformations both grotesque and beautiful. I started playing with makeup around that time and built my skills over the years until I graduated high school. I started doing makeup for photo shoots, weddings, special events and Halloween by the time I was 16. I was always trying to paint and faces were my canvas. I eventually went to art school in Savannah, GA and majored in Production Design with a concentration in costumes. I spent my freshman year spending more time doing makeup and hair for other student’s film and photography projects that by my last quarter I was only enrolled in one class. I dropped out and moved to LA the following year to start doing makeup for film and tv as well as began classes on my true passion: special effects makeup. I went to Cinema Makeup School in Koreatown where I learned how to create everything from perfected wounds to full foam latex prosthetic pieces. While in school, I worked on numerous short films and music videos. I would honestly take any job even if it was a challenge, I was just hungry to work and be on set. It gave me the chance to really grow and learn my strengths as well as develop my shop skills in school. It also got me a month long internship working at the special effects shop ADI before I decided to go get my cosmetology license before I was in too deep. After getting all of my licensing and certification out of the way(and during) I continued working on more professional sets and as well as branching out more to artists of all medias. I started working one-on-one with art directors, producers, musicians, and photographers helping develop their visions with my art. I got to where I am through hard work and never taking no for an answer. I played fair and never screwed anyone over trying to scramble to the top. It doesn’t matter if you’re an amazing artist; if you’re an asshole, people will not rehire you. If you’re difficult and demanding, people will not want to work with you. Be nice and be fair but never let anyone take advantage of your skills or kindness. It’s a very delicate balance that you learn but it shouldn’t take years to master.

Has it been a smooth road?
It’s been bumpy let’s just say that. I’ve been cheated out of money and have had creative properties used without my consent. I’ve been discriminated for my gender and age. The film industry is a very male dominated industry and let’s just say there’s an easy way and a hard way to grow as an artist and I picked the hard way. I would stand up for my morals which wouldn’t make me popular but it helped me grow to be respected. When I started working in LA I was 19 years old. I would routinely not tell anyone how old I actually was because to them it didn’t matter if I had 3 years of experience I was just a kid. I was screwed out of a promised $300 for 5 days work with the excuse from a producer that “my experience level couldn’t have been worth that” and “your years active are clearly altered”. I’d admit if my work wasn’t up to par but honestly, it was pretty damn good and he knew it. He also knew he could save $250 and get away with paying my $50 for 5 days(!) of work based on my lack of contacts and supposed “lack of experience”. That was the worst and I’m glad that’s mostly behind me. There’s still bad but it’ll never be that bad.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I originally was going to put seeing my work on a major television network for the first time but honestly, I think my proudest moment was graduating from cosmetology school and passing the state board examination. I had to balance school full time in Santa Monica and struggle to find jobs that wouldn’t interfere with getting my licensing hours. I missed so many days of school to take jobs in the beginning that it pushed back my graduation by months. I guess it’s my proudest moment because no matter how hard it was to sacrifice jobs, sleep and sanity in LA traffic I stuck it out and came out a graduate. I felt like I achieved so much and am grateful to those who pushed and motivated me.

Tell us more about the struggles you’ve faced along the way.
Definitely trying to live and work in LA just being a freelancer. I’ve gotten some amazing set jobs that help me pay rent but I’ve also done some really shit jobs just for an extra $50. Being a bit older and wiser I can definitely say doing both hair and makeup was the best move for me financially as well as achieving my future goals. Especially when I first started out and didn’t have a car! I had to uber to most of my jobs or drag my case on the metro. That was brutal.

What’s your outlook for the industry in our city?
I feel like most humans are pretty adaptable to new situations even if they hate change. That being said, the industry in LA for film/tv makeup artists is saturated so jobs aren’t necessarily easy to come by so you need to bring something to the table almost immediately. I’d say if you’re a beginner and want to try to make it in LA start researching makeup artists whose work you admire on social media or thru film/tv. Be a bit ballsy and reach out to them and offer to assist/apprentice. You won’t get much if any pay in the beginning but apprenticeships are a valuable experience that helps you learn the ins and outs of the industry as well as gain connections. If you can afford to go to a makeup school research carefully because there are definitely scam schools but there are also a lot whose instructors still work in the industry and can help introduce you to people or get entry level jobs. Just practice, be patient and don’t let anything get you down.

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