Interview With Macabre Make-Up Artist, Somica Spratley
Why the horror genre? What is it about the imagery it conjures that has made it your primary aesthetic staple for your art?
Why horror? Why not?! But in all seriousness, I have always
been drawn to the genre. I was moved by being terrified. I wanted to explore
people’s fears. Horror was arousing to me. It was mysterious and alluring and
made my skin crawl.
I can recall seeing The Thing around 3 or 4
years old and excitedly asking my mother, “WOW, WILL ANYONE ELSE LOSE THEIR
HEAD?” during the scene of the oozing
animatronic head that sprouted legs. She explained that it was all effects made
to look real, that it was all pretend. I was hooked. I was curious to know how
to make these “fake” things, so I was allowed to view certain types of horrors
& thrillers. Films and shows with lots of creature types or older black
& whites. I spent my youth drawing,
painting, writing, designing, fabricating, whatever came to mind. There was no
going back.
But I draw inspiration from all kinds of art. I
studied film & media production for a year solely to enhance my makeup
artistry and learn more about the behind-the-scenes action. Growing up, I was
fortunate to be exposed to so many styles of the genre, from classics like Nosferatu to Night of the Living Dead, and Stephen King’s The Stand. I do have
to say that there are a few that influenced my career from the beginning: Nightmare On Elm Street, Tales from The Crypt, TFTC Presents Demon
Knight, & Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series).
I wanted to make those
characters. I wanted to learn of the parallel dimensions & the mysteries of
the universe. I wanted to be that badass female killing demons. But it wasn’t
only the aesthetics. All of these got into your psyche, taught you valuable
lessons (in sick ways sometimes!), and stirred up passions & desires you
never even knew you had. Fast forward to present day and I am even more in love
with horror now! I am a bit behind on TV series but American Horror Story is
definitely one of my favorites. Brilliant acting, makeup, and writing. As far as movies, I did go see The Green
Inferno in theater. How can you not love a director that is equally good looking,
humorous, and demented?
Plus, I’ve followed the work of KNB EFX Group since The X-Files (Another huge influence, so glad it’s back!). I also saw The
Invitation screening at our past Sidewalk Film Festival. The ending was a bit
expected but it was a well-written thriller with a black female in a
predominant supporting role. She was elegant, intelligent, and a hero. It also gave attention to interracial relationships and
other lifestyles. I appreciate work that is adrenalizing, especially combined
with a healthy dose of violence.
What are some of your favorite
makeups you've created?
My favorites vary quite frequently because I am always
learning something new as I go along. I need to clean up my execution however.
I was really pleased with the finished H.R. Giger inspired look I did this past
October for a friend. My airbrushing had improved but I was rushed for time and
poured the silicone that morning. The edges were sloppy but with a “trick of
the trade,” I was able to conceal them with a decent paint job. I think my
proudest and greatest are yet to come.
How have you pushed
through some of the challenges you've faced in your field?
To be quite honest, I am still pushing through the most
dominant challenges: being African-American AND being a female. For the most
part, I have had favorable professional experiences in the community where I
live. Mainly because, I choose to work with those that are receptive to hearing
my ideas, collaborating with me, and guiding me.
There have been some that were
stereotypical and full of judgments. Because I am black, my diversity and knowledge is questioned. Because I am woman, I am physically, mentally &
emotionally weak. It is disheartening that in 2016, we are still facing these
issues. I believe awareness is essential. This mindset comes from a place of
hate and fear. People hurt others because they themselves have been hurt and then
internalize those ideas as they get older. Speaking up and bringing forth that
awareness is how you start to break those chains.
Is there anything in the
makeup arts that's lacking that you want bring to the field?
I would not say that I would bring anything to the industry
that is necessarily lacking but I do think artists like myself, would enrich
it. As I mention, I need to fine tune my end results but I have TONS of
imagination. Creativity is like a wildfire, burning through all of your core
when it hits. When it’s full blown, it destroys so much. Pulls so much from
you. After some damage control, gathering up the remains, and a little
re-seeding, before you even realize, you’ve created new life. I want to bring my “flames” to the makeup and film world.
You've mentioned wanting
to get more into cosplay. What are some of your dream cosplays?
Yes, so many characters! Now I’ll be the first to admit, I
am not familiar with comics (shame on me, I know). I prefer to keep it to the
creepy icons but I’d love to do a throwback Eartha Kitt inspired Catwoman and
do my own special effects spin on Poison Ivy. I will possibly do a Storm too per
request of several good friends. I would also like to re-visit my Candyman
cosplay and work on more original concepts.
Can you tell us anything
about Without Obsession?
Are there any other projects you're heading or ideas that we can look forward
to promoting for you in the future?
Well let me fill you in on Without Obsession…. It never
happened! And I am glad it didn’t. I am crossing into film and I am not
established there yet. It was all premature because I had no real experience
with taking on so much responsibility. People started dropping out, deadlines
kept getting moved back, my depression deepened, the drinking increased, my
crowdfunding campaign was a joke, and I was still living the pain of that
[destructive wildfire] script. It was not time for it.
Though I am still living
the experience, I have much more clarity from the entire process. I am ecstatic
to share with you that the script has been revised, renamed, and set for
production this month! I have given some spoilers on my Instagram account, so
definitely check there for updates. I will tell you that the film is based
around the struggle with depression after being involved in a non-traditional
relationship. I feel that the lapse of sorrowful periods in my life really
allowed for me to put pieces together in terms of how I see myself and my
relationships with others. We are always at war yet we are reflections of each
other. This piece is deeply personal. It is dark, provocative, and stimulating.
I hope too that even a bit of humor can be seen in it.
At the moment, this is only project that I am leading so to
speak. I am, however, working on the script for my next short film while
simultaneously in pre-production for a colleague’s short film titled Faded to
Repeat. Production on his is set for
mid-March. Aside from makeup, filmmaking, and my other creative hobbies, I
would like to do more charity & non-profit driven work this year. I
volunteer for our local film festival already and will continue as long as I
live here but I’d also like to find a way to use my artistic & holistic
abilities to serve others.
@SomicaSpratley on Twitter