Kelly Mitchell

Departments & Roles

HAIR & MAKE-UP DEPT

About

Kia Ora Recently I had the honour of being Interviewed for Te Puna Magazine, / Ngati Tama Below is contents from the interview.
Kia ora koutou,
Ko Tākaka ki mohua te papakāinga tūturu
Ko Parapara me Piki-ki-runga nga maunga
Ko Tākaka me Pariwhakaoho nga awa
Ko Onetahua te marae
Ko Tokomaru me Kurahaupō nga waka
Ko Ngāti Tama me Te Ātiawa manawhenua ki Te Tauihu te Iwi
Ko Terry Mitchell rāua ko Kay Patricia Anderson ōku mātua
Ko Mōrehu Māui David Luke Mitchell (Mo) rāua ko Doreen Small ōku tūpuna
Ko Tanginui Pirikā rāua ko Kataraina Te Ranginohokau ōku tūpuna
Ko Kelly Alyssa Mitchell tōku ingoa

What inspired you to become a makeup artist?
It was during my hairdressing apprenticeship when I competed in competitions which gave me a taste of the creative possibilities in the industry and when I returned from overseas, after becoming qualified, I discovered a passion for the Film and Television industry. I was drawn to the creativity and freedom it offered.
What do you love most about your job?
The boundless creativity it allows me to explore, working on incredible productions and collaborating with talented individuals is truly rewarding. The variety and scope of each project keep me constantly inspired.
Having the freedom to be my own boss gives me the flexibility to shape my career in ways that align with my passions and vision.
It’s a unique blend of artistic expression, professional growth, and personal autonomy that makes this career so fulfilling.

What makes a makeup artist/designer successful?
First and foremost, having a diverse range of skills is crucial. This includes technical proficiency in your craft, but also extends to practical skills such as budgeting, management, and effective communication.
What is your experience with special effects makeup?
Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to delve into special effects makeup, working on various projects and designing for specific productions. I’ve also been fortunate to have mentors who have provided invaluable advice and guidance, helping me navigate the complexities of special effects and pushing me to continually improve.

Who inspired you to get into the industry
I was inspired by friends who had begun working in film and television. Their passion and success motivated me, however, the initial inspiration came from my mother and older sister, who encouraged me to pursue a trade in hairdressing, which provided me with a valuable skill set that I could take with me as I travelled.

What is your favourite style or trend and why?
I love doing SPFX, it’s meaty and creative – there are no limits when it comes to designing SPFX. I love vintage …. because it’s timeless. My designs are influenced by a variety of factors, including my experiences present and past, from watching movies, TV series, attending art exhibitions, going to gigs, reading, visiting museums and my travels both globally and within Aotearoa. Even something as simple as walking around the streets can inspire my work. These diverse influences collectively shape my approach to character design.

Has Te Ao Māori inspired you in your work?
When I was younger, in my early 20s, Te Ao Māori didn’t have as much influence on my work. Growing up in Nelson and Tākaka during the 80s, Te Ao Māori wasn’t as prevalent or accessible as it is today.
Reflecting on my journey now, I can wholeheartedly say that Te Ao Māori has become a significant part of my practice, even when working on mainstream international productions. My Māoritanga has grown immensely, and
it deeply informs my work, enriching it with a unique perspective that honours my heritage and roots.
For others who want to get into this industry what advice do you have?
My advice would be to ensure you have formal training in either hair or makeup. The days of learning solely on the job are long gone. My own experience showed that having a background in hairdressing significantly helped me secure positions as a young makeup artist. A solid foundation in both areas is particularly valuable in Aotearoa, and having formal qualifications can be a significant advantage. This holds true not just here but also in the UK, Australia, and other regions.

What has been a memorable moment from your career?
My career has been filled with many memorable moments; working with my directorial idol Jane Campion; collaborating with incredible artists and actors.
One of the most memorable experiences to date was receiving a phone call from a producer informing me that I had been nominated for Makeup Designer of the Year 2023.
The very next day, another producer from a different TV series I designed called to tell me I had been nominated
for that show as well. Being nominated twice in the same category in 2023 was an incredible honour. Ultimately, winning the 2023 NZTVA Best Makeup Design award for “The Gone” was a truly unforgettable moment in my career.
What films/ TV series have you worked in? What has been the most memorable?

Having worked on over 60 productions in my 25 year career to date, each one holds a special place in my heart.
Here is a link to my international movie data base…
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3099029/
There is a couple of productions, film and television,
in 2024 that I have just finished that are not released yet. They have been incredible experiences.
Where has your career taken you?
I’ve had the privilege of working in some extraordinary locations across Aotearoa and the Pacific. In 2023, I took the opportunity to enhance my skills in afro-textured hair by traveling to the UK, where I connected with a number of remarkable hairdressers and makeup artists in London.
I’ve also had the privilege of becoming a mentor/ tuakana myself. Last year I was Makeup Head of Dept advisor for the film “Ka Whawhai Tonu”. It was an absolute honour watching one of my key artists designing such an incredible film.

Movies: Power of the Dog The Last Samurai
Whina
Ka Whawhai Tonu Fantasy Island
TV Shows:
The Panthers The Gone
One Lane Bridge Kairakau
The Deadlands
“My Māoritanga has grown immensely, and it deeply informs my work, enriching it with a unique perspective that honours my heritage and roots.”

Industry Experience

Kelly Mitchell is a distinguished Indigenous Maori Makeup, Hair, and SPFX Designer, with a remarkable career spanning over 25 years in the film and television industry. With a background as a qualified hairdresser, Kelly has consistently demonstrated her artistic prowess and dedication to the craft.

Recently Kelly won the 2023 NZTVA Award for Best Make Up Design for “The Gone”, as well as a nomination for her work on “One Lane Bridge”.

Her portfolio boasts impressive achievements, including contributions to Oscar award-winning films such as “Power of the Dog” by acclaimed director Jane Campion. Kelly’s exceptional talent has earned her a nomination for the TVNZ Awards’ Best Makeup Designer in 2022 for her outstanding work on “The Panthers.”Notably, this year marks a momentous occasion, with Kelly receiving not one but two well-deserved nominations for Best Makeup Designer of the Year in the productions “The Gone” and “One Lane Bridge 3.”

Kelly’s passion for her work is evident in her ability to breathe life into characters and stories, transforming them from the pages of a script to the big screen.Outside the world of film and television, she is an avid traveller and adventurer, always seeking new experiences.

She is committed to continuous improvement, recently embarking on a journey to the United Kingdom to train in afro-textured hair under the mentorship of industry luminaries Kevin Fortune and Jennie Roberts, renowned as the best in the business.

Kelly Mitchell is not only a visionary artist in the makeup and hair design realm but also a dedicated explorer and lifelong learner, committed to the art of storytelling and the transformation of characters on screen.