Hey Laura, Makemeup, Ewe Beauty!
They breed girls different in the South. These females remember gumboots and the smell of a farm ute long before pretty heels and catching a whiff of Christian Dior. However, Laura King might just be an anomaly. She can crack a whip or birth a calf while sporting an exquisite, messy ponytail, and then turn around with the most perfect mascara, and a foundation of flawless skin.
Laura grew up in Balfour. I too grew up in Southland, in the mud and grass (still allergic to grass btw), but I did not give a rat’s behind about looking good, and learning about makeup. I constantly wore my red bush shirt that went solid from the elements and being worn every day for 3 years. I think townies wear bushshirts nowadays but they are called Swandri now? My complexion was windburn, my hair unwashed, greasy and flat. I can confirm this new fad of “don’t wash your hair, it’s bad for it” is nonsense.
So I do not understand how Laura became so good at being ‘girlie’ while also driving her tractor in the sludge and silage. I wonder how Laura became interested in makeup? I remember people wearing makeup being considered a bit ‘uppity’ where I lived, and when I say people, I mean when women wore it, heaven forbid a male would wear makeup, and have both ears pierced, well…
My father and his mates would often comment about Mrs. Sherriff being ‘all done up’ in the shearing shed. Let’s all agree that that particular perception can be left in 1980’s, Western Southland, and that is a whole other article.
Laura and I do share a couple of things in common though. We love driving trucks and riding motorbikes, living in Queenstown, and the crazy world of film and television. Laura and I met driving taxis in Queenstown. We were constantly amused by the antics of the locals as we drove them around, but picking up people who had never been here was the most satisfying. Firstly, Laura is an excellent driver that puts you at ease, but she is also able to respond to a high-energy state with a relaxed and considered vibe. It’s the same when Laura has cast members in her makeup chair. She has a relaxed energy that makes them feel calm and taken care of.
Laura also doesn’t do anything without full contemplation. When she started to design ‘Ewe Beauty’ the makeup and costume truck, she took everything she had learned from working on so many sets and took her time to get it right. It has a large, working space with 4 to 5 makeup stations, a hair washing station, large sink with washer and dryer, lockable costume rails throughout, and more. This truck is finished to a high standard and fit for a star.
After Laura and I stopped driving taxis, we would see each other most often in a swing van. We were both truck drivers and would do different day jobs while waiting for a production manager to ring. We drove everything, including dump trucks and Laura spent a few seasons weed spraying. I love the idea that this qualified beauty therapist would drive around the district in an old ute and sprayer, casually killing gorse, and then the next day she would be preparing a bride for her big day.
Our first jobs in the film world were as swing drivers, but Laura had already started her own wedding and event makeup business, MakeMeUp. She also started to be hired as a makeup assistant on TVCs. Laura always wanted to get into the makeup department and the benefit of living here in Queenstown is we do not get pigeonholed into one role. Her name slowly got around to different people and she was pretty good at making sure to introduce herself to helpful HoDs. When I would turn up to a swing, I’d jump into the swing van, and there Laura would be. She was always ready to get involved with whatever was required of her.
When we arrived on set, to hurry up and wait, it was always funny when us girls would be assigned to the small vehicles and campers, while the boys would be put in the trucks.
Laura and I got into the world of film at an interesting time. There is a perceivable shift occurring in the industry. I have heard the stories from women, (from not that long ago) referring to being talked down to, or intimidated by male crew members. It made their work impossible to do well and compromised the next job. This is not something Laura and I have dealt with that often since 2016. Things are shifting. The crews we work with are conscious of the sea change and male colleagues will call out behaviour that is not acceptable. There is a way to go however. The pay rate for the female-dominated role of Production Manager has not increased at the same rate as the equivalent, male roles. Perhaps the problem stems from the system of how production companies bid for jobs? It means budgets are then reduced at the bottom end. This, in turn, affects the usually female-oriented roles in Production: Coordinators, Runners etc., or assistant roles in Makeup and Costume. These rates have not increased with inflation and the rise in living costs in New Zealand.
Laura’s commitment and investment in ‘Ewe Beauty’ is impressive. She is a young, dedicated woman doing something bold. She saw an increased need for more specialised film vehicles, especially in the South Island, and she has built ‘Ewe Beauty’ to the highest quality, incorporating all her knowledge and experience from being on set. This southern girl can now offer her own complete makeup package. So, as she gets more and more successful, I’ll keep trudging through the paperwork, grass, and mud in Locations and wait for the call to go and swing ‘Ewe Beauty’ back to base.
