So this week, I got a call to be the makeup artist on the
set of an online soap opera; Dawn by Tribe Nation. As soon as the call came in and they asked me
if I could do regular makeup, accident makeup and makeup for wounds, I was
tempted to say a big ‘no’ because of course; i hadn’t done anything like that
before. How would I take on such a big project without any form of experience;
the most makeup I have done has been for brides and photo shoots with models.
So, just as I was about saying “oh no, I have no experience in that area” I
remembered what one of the women we have been understudying Mrs Bolanle
Austen-Peters said. She said while we wait for opportunities to come, we should
invest in learning, trainings and becoming experts in our art. For a very long
time, I have been using up more than 2GB in 2 weeks doing nothing other than
learning special effects makeup on youtube. I had learnt what to mix to produce
real blood, what to use in creating wounds and swellings, so what was I talking
about? I also remember the saying that when you are asked to do a project you've never done before, say yes to it first then learn how to do it later. Oh well, yes! I was gonna take the job.
So again, bearing in mind what Madam Ibukun Awosika said, I
wasn’t going to present myself as inexperienced or small, I am a brand and that
was exactly how I presented myself when we were talking the terms of the
contract and the fee attached to it. I negotiated my price and even though I
wasn’t entirely satisfied with it, I knew it was a good bargain for a very
professional ‘inexperienced’ special effects makeup artist like me.
Immediately I dropped the call, I started shivering where
would I start from? So, I called my no 1 support system and narrated my story.
Of course, he was quick to tell me how excellent I was going to be at it. In my
mind, I was like “What is this young man saying bayi, does he even understand
all I’ve said at all”? How will I even get the necessary ingredients I need on
such short notice and in ile-ife too?
Anyways, the next day, I packed my bags and I was on my way
to Ile-ife for a 2 weeks shoot. As soon as I got there, with my professional
makeup box and signature smile, I got my script and settled down to read. I
realised there were more than one bloody scene and the accident scene was going
to be more detailed than I had thought. Mr capable was on ground to help me go
to the market and get all the necessary ingredients I would need, that made
things way easier, thanks sir!
Today is the second day on set and so far I have had to
create blood for 2 scenes. I was so happy when the director and production
manager on set asked me what I used in creating my blood that made it look so
real. He said he was sure it wasn’t the regular tomato paste or colouring and
he was right; but no, I am not telling you *tongue out*. It’s just been 2 days
and I’ve started to get more confident. I decided to steal the one hour break we
had just to let you all know that I have taken 2 things into practice from what
we have been learning on our girl entrepreneurs and oh my, It’s been working.
I also learnt that I will be working on Alex Usifo, Akin Lewis, Jude
Ororha, Bukky Thomas, Edmund Enaibe, Dayo Davies e.t.c don’t worry, I will take pictures with this
people ‘famzing things’ and I will be sure to upload the pictures on here.
Thanks guys for reading, I’ve got 9 more days of shooting and yes, I’ll make
sure to give you updates (even of my fails).
Till next post hunnies and hey, watch this space because
something special is loading. *winks*
