Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Gandhi.
Hi Maya, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I guess you can say my love for film really started when I was five years old. My dad and I watched Jurassic Park for the first time and I fell in love immediately with everything that film can do and how it can make you feel. As a kid and even into my teenage years, I didn’t think getting into the film industry was an attainable job. It wasn’t something that was talked about where I grew up, unlike here in Austin, TX. I really started dabbling in makeup and hair when I was in middle school. One of the first things I taught myself was how to braid hair for soccer. I then became the person on the team that braided everyone’s hair before games. Then I really fell in love with trying to recreate makeup looks from CD covers to makeup that I saw in films, like, Star Wars. I would spend hours in my room after school or on weekends just playing with my makeup and hair and trying new things. When I was in high school, I would also do people’s makeup and hair for homecomings and prom. It wasn’t until after I graduated high school and college that I learned that you could go to school to become a makeup artist for the tv and film industry. So, when my husband was looking to relocate for work, we came across Austin, TX and how it has a big film industry. Granted, when we first moved here that wasn’t what I got straight into. I still stayed in the medical field as I was trying to figure out how to get into the industry. That’s when I ended up getting an internship at a Special Effects Studio. After my internship, I started my own business; Maya Gandhi Makeup, and slowly built up my career from there. And that’s how I landed where I am today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It absolutely has not been a smooth road getting to where I am. As I stated before, I was working in the medical field. I had health benefits and a steady income. When I decided to really commit to making this a real thing, I left my full-time job and got a part-time job where I could make a little cash while I was taking any job I possibly could in the film industry. I would say yes to whatever job I could get. Even if the pay was $75 a day and I would work over a 12 hour day. I would take whatever I could just to make connections. And making those connections helped get me more work. Eventually, I started getting bigger paying jobs, like commercials and then built my way to doing feature films and tv series. I also branched out into the wedding industry and work with wedding companies on occasion.
It’s been a lot of hard work building my business. Some months are better than others. There were times when I would consider getting a part-time job just to have some more consistent income, but I could never find something that was compatible with my hair & makeup schedule. It was always a catch 22. I had to invest a lot of my money into getting makeup, makeup cases, brushes, set bags, etc; all the necessary equipment to be effective at my job. But building your makeup kit is a big investment of time and money, and it’s not something that ever really stops. I’m still constantly updating my kit.
Eventually, I worked enough jobs that I became eligible to join IATSE Local 484, which is the Texas and Oklahoma union for TV and film. Since becoming a member, more work has been coming and I finally feel like I can relax and not stress out as much about finances with more consistent work. It took a good six years to get to where I am. I still have so much more to learn and have to build up to become a department head for a big blockbuster, but I’m so happy doing what I love.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a professional Makeup Artist and Hairstylist, primarily for the TV and Film Industry, but I also do weddings from time to time. My skills encompass the full range from beauty and special effects makeup and hairstyling. I am currently assisting on a television series but have also been a Key Makeup Artist and Hairstylist for Javelina Run, I’ve Got Issues, and Suplex Duplex Complex, just to name a few. But I am proud of every project I’ve worked on. I am known for being extremely detail-oriented, punctual, and conscientious. I love collaborating with other departments to make sure we deliver the best product we can, and I always pour all of my heart into everything I work on.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I had to ask my mom this question because I didn’t know how to describe myself. She described me as a “go getter.” I learned how to walk when I was nine months old. Crawling frustrated me because I wanted to walk so badly. She also described me as very empathetic and compassionate. There was this one time when I was around nine years old; I was at my grandfather’s house and found this baby bird that was all alone. I brought it to my mom and told her I needed to find it a safe place to live and grow up. I most likely cried begging her to help me save this baby bird. We ended up taking it to a wildlife rescue and rehab center. Honestly, even to this day, I find injured birds on walks all the time and try to rescue them. My husband calls me “A Disney Princess” because animals that are injured and need help always seem to find me.
When I was younger, I had a love and talent for music. I loved playing instruments (piano, flute, guitar) and would practice constantly. I would enter competitions and get into prestigious music schools during the summer. I enjoyed playing sports like soccer and basketball as well.
One of my favorite things I enjoyed the most growing up was all the movies I watched with my parents. It was something that really bonded us. If it weren’t for my dad, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with movies. One of my favorite memories was when we would make popcorn and watch Star Wars on the weekends. Even to this day, when I go back home to visit, our favorite thing to do together is sitting on the couch and watching movies. My mom and I loved going to the movies together. One particular memory I have is when she once took me out of school to go see Harry Potter. I don’t think my parents really know how much they influenced my love of film. If it weren’t for them, I would not have found my calling.
Contact Info:
- Email: MayaGandhiMakeup@gmail.com
- Website: www.MayaGandhiMakeup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayagandhimakeup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maya.gandhi.54/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GandhiMaya
Image Credits
Photographer – Stephanie Kewish / Instagram @stephanie.kewish.photography Photographer – Ursula Rogers / Instagram @opulenceofveree
