A Few Questions With Patty Bunch
Patty Bunch - Department Head, Founder The Bungalow
What do you love about being a makeup artist? When I asked a young makeup artist recently why she chose makeup, she said it’s an outlet for creativity. But for me, it’s a connection with some of the most gifted, elite, interesting, brilliant people in the world! Makeup allows you to explore and educate. Each day when I get up I don’t have to say, what’s on TV today? I start researching, writing, educating myself on new products, skin care and connecting with others in our industry and also those who’s interested in what we do. This stimulates the mind and gives you a reason to start another exciting day. I also love the diversity of my personal path. In addition to my TV work, I also have a skincare business - The Bungalow Skin Spa in Studio City. For me, today, I giving a facial on a movie star and driving to CBS to make up another movie star for a talk show. Now that’s exciting!
How has the industry changed over the last five years? The industry has really changed in the last 5 years. Gone are the days of the hacks who think they can walk in with out skills just for a paycheck. You better know your craft and the more education the better, and the longer your career will last.
What piece of advice would you give to every makeup artist? The one bit of advice that all makeup artists should know is to not put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify and have more then one business. I chose to go back to school after my eight season of Will & Grace, not only to fulfill my passion for skin but to start another career in skin care and open my Spa. I now have a thriving business. It gives me the opportunity to treat and care for my actors skin on and off the set and have the diversity in my business I've been speaking of.
How do you continue to grow your business? My business grows by connection with people and other artists. My make up and hair friends started a network a long time ago and to this day we still hire with in our network. We trust, respect and care for each other. The phone is not just going to ring without generating business by staying in touch.
See Patty Bunch as a part of the most career-focused event of the season - The Business Forum LA. November 8-10th, 2014. www.thebusinessforumla.com