- Alexis Walker is a longtime make -up artist and career pivot coach who welcomes the Hollywood Podcast Second Act.
- Walker helps residents of Hollywood and other industries to apply their skills to new opportunities.
- She herself began to leave the entertainment industry during the pandemic.
This trial also filed is based on a conversation with Alexis Walker, a 48 -year -old career pivot coach and Hollywood makeup artist, who lives in Los Angeles. In 2024, Walker started The Hollywood Podcast Second Act where she interviews veterans in industry and commercial experts.
The following has been slightly modified for more clarity and length.
I studied psychology in college and I was on the right track to become an advisor. But just before my diploma in 1999, we had a tragic loss in our family which mainly threw the puzzle pieces of my life on the ground.
It made me very aware that life is fragile and ephemeral, and everyone should do something that makes them happy.
I realized that I wanted to do something that seemed creative to me and allowed me to be with incredible people. So I decided to go to school to become a makeup artist.
I moved to Los Angeles About 25 years ago
I signed up for a six months Intensive makeup program Where we learned everything how to make the facial hair with aging makeup.
I was young and it was so exciting. I wanted to do any job I could get. I think my first job was $ 25 a day and I was delighted.
I also worked in a makeup counter at the start of my career so that I can pay my bills while I was building my CV and established links.
It’s such an interesting job because you don’t just do art on a piece of paper. You have a human on your chair and you have to face any mood in which they are. The people who succeed most in this industry have a really high emotional intelligence.
For years, I worked hard to enter the Makeup unionBecause this is where you are really starting to make a living. But it takes a long time to enter because you have to work on a number of days within a certain period.
At first, it was as if there was a Hand secret to enter Hollywood that everyone knew except me.
I worked for six years to enter the union. I remember my first union day working on a consumer film and I felt so lucky to be there.
Over time, I realized that while I was Fortunately to work on various projects, they also had the chance to have me. I am a hard worker and it took time, but I understood that my contribution was also worth something.
I worked on so many fun projects
Gather with icons like Norman Lear on “One Day at a Time” and Garry Marshall were protruding facts of my career. I had the chance to work for Happy Madison Company of Adam Sandler for many years and I had the opportunity to travel the country with wonderful people on fun projects like “Just Go with it”.
When I was young, the industry felt like something I could give myself completely. I was single for so long because I was totally satisfied with my work.
It is a very consumer industry. We often did not work on regular hours. Sometimes I worked 7 p.m. and I started my day at 3 a.m.
I started to think about making a change before the pandemic
I was getting old and I was starting to ask myself, right? Is there something more than I want to express or experience? But it was a long process to understand what I wanted to do next.
During pandemicI worked on two multicam programs, which are traditional sitcoms like “Cheers” or “Seinfeld”. They are perfect for make -up artists and filming teams because they allow a more traditional schedule.
At the same time, I explored my career options. I applied to the higher school and quickly realized that it was not quite correct. I was doing a lot of volunteer and community building, depending on lessons and lessons on various things, I just try different things.
THE Strike in 2023 Disturbed Hollywood even more. We all wanted people to have protection and the rights they were fighting, but it was really difficult for So many people to be without work.
I think strikes have made many people realize that this industry does not give us much control over our lives and income.
But Change your career at the average age This often means changing your whole life, especially when you are in an industry that encompasses so much in your life. And it can be frightening.
I would have liked to have a mentor when I rotated
I desperately wanted advice from someone who understood the industry I left and could help me sail, but I couldn’t really find it.
So, last year, I started a podcast called The Hollywood Second Act Club Podcast, where I interview incredible people in the entertainment industry who have pivoted in new careers or lateral jostles. These are the mentors I would have liked to have.
Certain examples of the incredible guests that I had on the podcast include a hairdresser who has become a baby and a sleep expert for the little one, a former music supervisor who has become a financial advisor, a former camera assistant who has become a portrait photographer under -Marin and a studio marketing director who has become a home organizer.
There are so many superpowers that people in this business have that they may not even be aware.
Many of my listeners try to understand how to take these skills and Build a life that seems authentic And gives them an agency on their work. It is not only a question of going from one work to another; It is a question of building the entire package.
I also have experts on the podcast who talk about different aspects of the construction of your own business. The podcast leans towards the Entrepreneurial path For those who wish to take care of their own lives and their career.
I also finished a coaching program
I work with all types of people who want change their career And change their lives. I have a particular penchant and I focus on people in the entertainment industry because I know him, but I work with people outside of Hollywood.
I help people to take the skills they already have and apply them to everything they want to do next.
I also work from time to time in industry. Medical insurance is incredible. But this is no longer my focal point.
My The heart hurts for this industry Because I love it and I think a lot of people feel like a deer in the headlights, terrified by the next step. I know what it is to panic, but if we can rely on each other, we can do it.
My own pivot was sometimes difficult. I feel stretched all the time and I must constantly understand new things.
But I have never been so happy. I live a life that seems juicy. I wake up in the morning with creative ideas and I can help incredible people. I am very, very happy.