With a career spanning over thirty years, Local 798 Makeup Artist and Journeyman Carla Van Nessa Wallace also holds a Master of Cosmetology license. She has freelanced for networks such as CNN, WSB, and The Weather Channel. After years of working as a freelancer in television Wallace decided to apply to IATSE Local 798 and officially became a member in 2015. \u201cI feel so blessed to be able to do what I love and have it as my career. I have always been a person who wanted to celebrate the beautification of women,\u201d she added. \u201cIt\u2019s always been the beauty for me. I am also so thrilled to see all of the education, training and respect that surrounds the trade today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carla says her most memorable moments in film and television were working on set with the iconic Phylicia Rashad, the late Cecily Tyson and Whoopi Goldberg. To share space with these ladies was an unexplainable feeling. <\/p>\n
On being a black woman in entertainment, \u201cdepending on where I\u2019m working and which set\u2019s I\u2019m on, determines how diverse and inclusive the makeup department will be,\u201d<\/p>\n
Wallace says. \u201cBecause there is such a highlight on it now people are making more of an effort. However, it has to be a joint effort between above the line staff, casting and the talent. You may work on a project and the hair team will be African American if there are many African American actors on the show. However, when it isn\u2019t a \u201cBlack\u201d show or film, there definitely needs to be improvement for the opportunities to be considered and interviewed for those positions. As a makeup artist I have to be knowledgeable on every skin tone and texture. In my experience if the production doesn\u2019t have a primarily black cast, I am not often given more opportunities to showcase my talents. We should have equal representation.\u201d<\/p>\n
She emphasized that one step towards measurable change would be if actors of all races were more vocal about the representation behind the scenes to ensure an inclusive production crew. \u201cWe need it in the camera department, grips, and every craft,\u201d she added. \u201cThere has to be a will and execution in the places we need for there to be real change.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wallace says whether you are a white or BIPOC make-up artist or hair stylist, the most important factor is having respect for the craft, investing, and educating yourself. \u201cYou need to be able to accommodate every person, skin tone, know color theory and hair textures,\u201d she added. \u201cYou can\u2019t call yourself a professional make-up artist if you only know how to do makeup on your skin tone.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Hollywood commits to having more diverse and inclusive on-screen representation, the lack of off-screen representation is just as evident and necessary. The diversity in the makeup and hair departments need to reflect the change.<\/p>\n
Due to this issue left unaddressed, Wallace says unfortunately black makeup artists and hair stylists have been left to feel undervalued and underrepresented in comparison to their counterparts. \u201cWe know what the issues are,\u201d she added. \u201cWe need to focus on moving forward, the resolution and be active in that change. What I appreciate about IATSE is the openness and support for the Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee, it has been truly motivating.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wallace encourages her BIPOC and non BIPOC Sisters and Brothers to remain eager during this movement for change, diversity, and the era of COVID-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe encouraged. Stay diligent and be the change you want to see,\u201d she says. \u201cDon\u2019t just talk about the negative, speak your mind but then evoke positive action. Each artist should want to be a mentor and want to bring another artist into the game, continuing their legacy of hard work and light. We will keep going and get through all of this as Sisters and Brothers under the umbrella of IATSE.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With a career spanning over thirty years, Local 798 Makeup Artist and Journeyman Carla Van Nessa Wallace also holds a Master of Cosmetology license. She has freelanced for networks such […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":786,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[36],"yoast_head":"\n