Tainui, Ngati Maniapoto, Whakatohea, Te Whanau-a-Apanui
* Mum and chauffeur to one 10 year old budding stuntie
* Passionate film and television crew member
* Believer of kindness
After a life epiphany, I enrolled in The Make-Up School in Ponsonby Auckland.
My commitment to 16 weeks of the Hamilton to ‘Auckland commute would be what my tutor’s (Gabrielle Jones / Di Ensor) identified as a stand-out quality to be in the film and television industry. That commitment, some artistic talent and top exam marks propelled me almost immediately into work after graduation.
I cut my teeth as the Make-Up Designer (Jane O’Kane) assistant on Spartacus: Blood and Sand which at the time was an unprecedented entirely studio based (filmed inside) TV show. The learning curve was steeper that Baldwin St but the fire was lit and I never looked back.
15 years later, I still get nervous to start each job. But every day I’m on set, surrounded by world-class talent, creative inspiration and challenges to workshop; I pinch myself that this is my job. To be a cog in the story-telling wheel that is our industry while working with old and new friends is truly a blessing.
