Brae Toia

How long have you been in screen production and how did you get started?

I’ve been working freelance in Makeup/Hair for 16+ years. I have been doing Wardrobe for around 10.

I was a young single mum living in the Hokianga and working as a barista, art teacher & exhibiting artist and decided that I needed a more sustainable career.

I applied for prospectuses from universities, colleges and institutions from all over New Zealand and studying Makeup was the first and only course that I found appealing. It was painting but with social interaction. I always loved being creative and watching behind the scenes of shows and the chaos of it all and constantly meeting different people was a huge appeal.

I had grown up in Christchurch and a group of my close friends were based here so it made sense to move down to study. I didn’t quite expect to still be here but it’s a great city and new things are constantly evolving.

Why did you choose film/TV as a career?

I was lucky enough that working in film/tv kinda just chose me. I started off doing smaller fashion photoshoots and editorials and a makeup artist that I knew was leaving Christchurch to move to Auckland. She recommended me for a job and then for all of the productions that she was no longer able to do. One job leads onto another and before long a majority of my clients were for tv commercials and the crew were recommending me for their other work.

It was then a natural progression to become experienced in Wardrobe too for smaller jobs so that there is a cohesion between the overall look of a character without production having to hire multiple people.

It’s definitely a case of who you know and being surrounded by people that you enjoy working with.

What has experience taught you that study couldn’t?

Onset etiquette. Often I am the only one in my department and it definitely requires you to step out of your comfort zone and be more proactive but also to know when you need to step back and keep your mouth shut. Every production is different and it’s interesting to learn how to adapt yourself to the environment and the hierarchy of each production.

Also patience and persistence. It’s difficult to make the leap of faith in your own abilities when you first begin freelancing and even when you’re busy you can still have an ‘off’ week when you worry that you don’t have a regular income like most people.

Do you also work outside of film?

I have kept a lot of my stills clients and do photoshoots styling for national magazines and campaigns and book the odd special event; weddings, formals etc but with Christchurch having so many makeup schools and people learning through YouTube and Instagram, I no longer advertise as much and am now doing less personal one-on-one work. I think I am known more around the city for my film/tv experience.

What have you learnt about your department as a whole?

I think I’ve learnt that I’m always learning.

When I travel for larger jobs I really enjoy constantly being taught about new techniques and products.

I like being a small part in a larger collaboration where all of the departments can come together with a character in telling a story of who they are and what they’ve experienced.

Why have you chosen to join the Guild? What do you want and expect of the Guild?

I joined the Guild this year after we realised that Christchurch is the only major city not to have a branch. Since the earthquakes our industry has built back up again and there is a much larger contingent of experienced crew living here than most people realise.

I would love to see the Guild support more large productions being shot here. We are so close to so many great locations!

As far as being a new member, I’m looking forward to finding out more about what’s happening in the industry around the country and what I can offer the Guild in Christchurch.

What strengths do you think the NZ industry has?

New Zealand has awesome crew that are talented, creative and smart.

So many amazing people have come out of our small country.