Meet Stephen Prouty | Makeup Effects Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephen Prouty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephen, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had worked for many years at other makeup effects shops in Los Angeles. During that period I would work on my own shows in my off time. Working on the side like that was often referred to as having a “garage shop”. Essentially using a home space or less permanent facilities to complete projects in. Eventually my shop work allowed me the opportunity to join the makeup union (Local 706) which gave me the ability to work as a makeup artist on union sets. I have always kept some sort of fx shop presence but as a union makeup artist I was able to network with many other artists and productions directly. Eventually I set up my studio FusionFX as a less “transient” entity than how I had been operating.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I feel that my most valuable asset is a drive to always improve the process. Rarely have I completed a project and said ” that’s the best that could have been done” or ” I’m completely satisfied with how that makeup looked or effect worked”. It can always be better or faster or more cleanly executed. In my opinion if an artist tells themselves that what they’ve done is the best it could ever have been done, it may be time to call it quits. When I learn a new technique or hear about a new product I get excited for the potential. Versatility and the ability to pivot to a better solution when theres a problem is what I’m most proud of in my work. Whenever I’m asked by up and coming artists for my best career advice its that you should know at least 3 ways to approach a makeup or effect. Because when option “1” fails (and at some point it will) you better have options 2 & 3 already in your wheelhouse. No production wants to hear excuses, they only care about results. They are paying you very well to provide those results. I have worked very hard to get to this point in my career, it has not always been easy. Many long days and nights, missed holidays, difficult productions along the way. But all that has helped to shape how I approach the work now. Every show is a learning experience, you never stop learning.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well in general I’m more of a museum person less of a nightlife person. The Getty Museum is a favorite, Natural History museum/ California Science Center too. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a newer one but definitely worth a visit. Food wise Im a fan of fun niche diners like The Tallyrande in Burbank that has been there for decades (as have many of the wait staff). If a restaurant has been in business for such a long time, theres probably a good reason why.

So Cal has such incredibly diverse scenery as well. From the snow filled mountains of Big Bear to the sun soaked beaches which can both be visited in the same day. Its a pretty magical place to live and work. No wonder it became the epicenter of the entertainment business.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been very fortunate to have many people over the course of my career who have given me great opportunities and entrusted me with their projects. All the way back to the 1980’s when a seasoned special effects veteran named Bob Shelley gave me my first jobs in the industry to fx shop owners and makeup artists like Greg Cannom, Rick Baker and the incredible Howard Berger who have all brought me on to their projects both in their makeup effects labs and on set. I have become friends with so many talented individuals that have created some of the most memorable makeups and effects in our business. I am forever grateful for their wisdom, generosity and kindness.

Website: fusionfxshop.com

Instagram: fusionfxshop