Hailing from Queensland, Nathan moved to Victoria to study a Bachelor Music Theatre in Ballarat and discovered his love of Drag and all things makeup!

Nathan landed a role with Morphe as a beauty artist in just his second term of study makeup with T.M. We caught up with him to learn more about his work and journey to studying with T.M.

 

What was your path to TM and why did you choose to study the CUA51015 Diploma of Screen & Media?

I’m originally a QLD boy and moved to Victoria to study my Bachelor Music Theatre in Ballarat! Through my love of performing, I discovered Drag which then brought me to my love of makeup! I’ve now been doing Drag for over 3 years and when I graduated from my degree and the world went into lockdown, I discovered I needed a more reliable income then just performing. So, I chose makeup, I have a passion for it and there are so many opportunities in the industry, hence me choosing to study at TM!

 

Tell us about your role at Morphe and how did it come about?

At the beginning of the year, I was looking at a Morphe job in Melbourne Central but didn’t feel confident enough to apply. The day I went to finally apply for it, it had been taken down. I kept working my hospo job until one shift I cracked it and began trying to look for work again! I just had to get out. The Morphe Chadstone store was hiring, and it couldn’t have happened at a better time! I applied and had a phone interview the next day to which the manager said, “this phone interview has been so great I don’t even need to confer with the other managers, you have to come in for an audition!” Patience came through for me this time round!

 

I work as a casual Beauty Artist at Morphe Chadstone, and I love it! It is so much fun and everyone is so lovely!

 

What are some of the opportunities working at Morphe that you have done?

Two shifts in and Melbourne went into their snap lockdown, so I’ve still not had too many shifts! I was however recognised as a “Morphe Babe Superstar” for my engagement with customers which was awesome!

Everyday I’m feeling so much more confident to talk about makeup with people and recommend them some of my favourite products.

 

Tell us about working as a professional makeup artist?

I never even thought being a professional makeup artist was something I wanted until I started at TM!

 

Getting to work with makeup and talk as a professional artist gives me so much confidence and fulfilment! I feel like all my hard work has been paying off. All those years struggling through hospo jobs has blossomed into working in an industry I am genuinely passionate and interested in! I love showing up for work and I no longer feel as though I’m wasting time working a job, I’m not happy in!

 

Is there anything about working in-industry that has surprised you?

I think what’s surprised me most has been how much joy makeup can bring to people. The customer interactions I’m having are making people so much happier and thankful for their visit to our store. I recommended a Morphe foundation to my friend and now she cannot stop raving about! I get messages every week telling me how much she loves how her skin looks and feels, and how much confidence it brings to her. To think the makeup, I’ve recommended to people is actually changing their day to day lives is so satisfying and fulfilling.

 

What does it feel like to land a job right before you have graduated and in the middle of a pandemic?

It’s been surreal! At the time of getting the job there wasn’t really any cases and things were looking good for Victoria! Suddenly we were back in lockdown and Chadstone had been listed as an exposure site. This pandemic has proven so difficult for everyone, and I felt so defeated. I’d just started a new job and then just like that I felt as though I’d lost it all. With that being said though, the Morphe team was so supportive during the lockdown, and we used our free time to be creative and inspire one another. This job honestly came at such a great time as it acted as my light at the end of the COVID tunnel!

 

Aside from your work at Morphe, have you taken on any other opportunities through Agency T.M.?

I’ve had so many incredible opportunities through TM! I had the chance to work on a 1920s short film pilot as well as the Vicetta Wang fashion show. With every opportunity I’ve had, it’s made me feel like I’m on the right path.

 

How do you feel TM helped prepare you to work in the industry?

Our first term we focused on retail makeup, and I was so thankful for that! When it came round to my audition, I knew exactly what I was getting into! And the training was so accurate to what it’s like in the real world. I was shocked! It gave me so much confidence both in my training and trainers wealth of knowledge. Without TM I wouldn’t have had the confidence to apply at all or even consider myself a professional makeup artist.

 

What’s been your greatest memory studying at The Masters so far?

I’d have to say one of my greatest memories was my Editorial photo shoot! It was my first concept that really came to life on the model’s face, and it was so exciting to see my ideas in person!

 

I also seem to have an eye for photography as I got some pretty good shots from iPhone which was a combination of so many things! (Mostly the fact that my model was a genuine working model in the industry) After showing my photo to my teacher, she took my phone and ran around the campus showing everyone my photo! It felt so good to be appreciated for my newfound talent so early on in my studies!

 

What is your advice for anyone starting their journey in the makeup industry and considering studying with T.M.?

Even if you have the smallest interest in makeup this course is so worth it! Even with my knowledge of Drag makeup I knew nothing of basic makeup terminology. The course literally starts from the very basics all the way through to prosthetics and special effects! Not only that but the trainers are working in the industry so you’re training is FRESH and RELEVANT to the industry right now! So good!

 

What are your ultimate career goals?

Ultimate career goal is to combine my studies of performance and makeup and create a “School of Drag”! A place where the everyday person can experience the magic of putting on a character and revealing your inner drag queen! During the day it’s an institute with classes and workshops and at night it’s a performance space with breakout spaces for new performers and old! This would be the ultimate goal!!

 

Do you want to learn more about makeup side of the creative industries? Check out our CUA51015 Diploma of Screen & Media here!