We had the good fortune of connecting with Samantha Bertucci and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Samantha, how do you think about risk?
I think risk taking is an essential part of being in this industry, every move I have ever made always has risks to it. In my personal life I have packed up all my belongings twice to follow my dream. In my business life I have always taken risks to better motivate myself and to push not only myself but my art to the next level. I think in life you need risk to make it more appealing and more adventurous.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I always knew I would end up in an artist career. I had no idea it was makeup until I started doing other people’s makeup in high school and receiving praise in return. This would evolve from beauty makeup, to weddings, to film productions and working with special effects. It has not been easy, everyday has its challenges. Most of my career involves networking. I strive to reach out to as many different artists in the area and get as much exposure as I can on different types of productions. One thing I have learned in this industry is allowing for a flexible schedule. You never know when you will need to be on call and when shoots get delayed or extended. Having that flexibility allows for your employment to be more appealing towards productions. The thing that sets me apart from other makeup artist is that I pride myself on having a broadened skillset and constantly learning new techniques. I have an admiration towards making prosthetic makeup look as real as possible and making anatomy props for film. I know if I freak someone out with my art then my job was done right. I love my job. I get to meet new people, travel, and be a part of a creative process of bringing a vision to life.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I have only driven threw Georgia a few times and have not really stayed more than a few hours. I hope that changes and I get to work with the local film industry there. If they were looking for recommendations in Florida, I have a ton. However, I now live in LA and if they had any questions about the night life here, I have a hand full of places they can check out!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I think there are two people in my life that have always pushed me to be better and do better. Those two people are my grandmother and husband Joseph Bertucci. My grandmother would come to every art competition I was in. She would hang every photoshoot I have done that involved my makeup. I mean she would buy the magazines where I did the makeup for and purposely display them over the dinner table so that she could show off how creative I was. She is and will always be my first cheerleader. My husband Joe is literally the best human I have ever known. He is the person who saw so much potential in me when I thought I was a no one. He is one of the main reasons why I am in the position I am in today. With out this man by my side I do not think I could have ever gotten enough courage to fight for my dream. As I said in my wedding vows, he is my best friend, my soul mate, my muse.
Website: https://www.samanthamayhem.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthamayhem/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthamelilli/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MayhemLabs/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/samantha-mayhem-los-angeles
Other: IMBD Page https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11924827/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Image Credits
Zack Benson Kayleigh Kay Photography