Interview with Amanda Durante

Hi Amanda, thank you for doing this interview.

Hello, and THANK YOU! I am honored to be given this opportunity.

Can you give us some background? Where are you from?

Sure! I was born and raised in New York City. More Specifically, the boogie down Bronx! Growing up in NYC, during the ‘80s/‘90s was a very interesting time. I’m the last generation to experience New York City at the height of its iconic state. It was a period where NYC could be affordable for artists to live, so there was so much amazing and diverse art, music, venues, and shops. On the flip side, there was also a lot of hate, violence, and crime. All of these things had an impact on my life and influenced not only the artist that I am, but also the person I became. I also grew up watching The Simpsons religiously. Which is where I got my nick name and the name of my SFX company Amanda Huginkiss LLC.

You’re a SFX make-up artist? What got you into FX?

I have been inspired by the classic movie monsters since I was a little girl.  Frankenstein’s monster was my imaginary friend as a child, so I really related to the movie Monster Squad when it came out. Growing up watching those films absolutely piqued my interest in makeup and character design. Ray Harryhausen was another huge early influence. I was, and still am, fascinated by claymation. It made me want to use clay and learn how to sculpt. Other shows like Twilight Zone and Star Trek really got me interested in FX as well. 

You also do glamor makeup as well?

Yes. I do both SFX and glamor which means I can make you the Beauty or The Beast. Choice is yours! One of the photographers I work with is Ava Dae Photography. She specializes in pinup. If you are a pinup in the Pennsylvania/New Jersey area be sure to check her out! Some themed shoots she has coming up are Doggie Kissing Booth, Mermaid, and Firefighter. I will be doing hair and makeup for all of those. If anyone is interesting in booking a shoot they can go to AvaDaePhotography.com or check her out on Instagram @AvaDaePhotography. I also work with Barbizon NYC so I work a lot with kids, which is a hoot! I know most people in the industry say never works with kids or pets, but I love working with kids. I think I relate to them on a very mature level. 

Forgive the next question for a little bit of ignorance on my part, What are the differences in techniques for the two?

That is actually a fantastic question. There is no difference in the technique. The difference is the placement and materials used. But as far as technique it’s still all the same fundamentals: light source, color theory, highlight, and shadow, composition, etc. The difference is with glamor I’m using conventional materials and putting those things in a place where it looks extremely appealing. Whereas with SFX, I’m using some conventional and a lot of unconventional materials and placing those items in a way that creates a character or an injury. 

What films or TV have changed your life, as far as getting into the biz?

The television show that has change my life the most is actually Ink Master. I love that show. I put it on almost everyday. I pay very close attention to all the critics given and then apply it to my own art. Listening to what the judges and occasional coaches have to say really instilled the basic fundamentals and changed the way I view my own art. The season that was most influential was season 10 (Return of the Masters). Steve Tefft inspired my art more than any other contestant and when he came back in season 10 to coach it was a game changer for me. So last October when I found out Steve Tefft was going to be judging the pinup contest I was entered in at Tommy’s Tattoo Convention I was so pumped. Then I was told it was Halloween themed. GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY! As a SFX artist my imagination started running wild. I finally settled on the decision to do a full prosthetic sugar skull. As a seasoned pinup I knew this makeup for a pinup contest would NEVER win, but I didn’t care. I don’t enter these things just to win. And this time all I wanted was to show Steve Tefft what I can do. It was my chance to put my SFX art in front of the man who inspired and influenced me so much. So, when I came in third place, I was shocked and over the moon. It meant so much for me to be recognized and celebrated for my art especially by someone I respect and admire so much. So, Steve Tefft, if you ever read this, THANK YOU! Thank you for inspiring me. Thank you for coaching me via my television. Thank you for seeing something in my art. 

Were you a Fangoria Magazine nerd like we were here at Twisted Pulp Magazine?

YES! I have a bin with my old Fangoria magazines. I pull them out occasionally for inspiration.

So would you say FX companies like KNB and Henson creature shop were an influence on you?

Henson Creature Shop is by far the biggest influence. They not only influenced me as an artist but as a person. My personality, my sense of humor, the way I view I the world is all influenced by characters created by the Henson Creature Shop. I am convinced I’m part Muppet. 

You’ve worked with some huge stars. You worked with Alice Cooper?

My side hustle is touring production work. I am very friendly with the Alice Cooper camp but I never worked directly with him. My friend and mentor Bujie worked for Alice for years. She taught me everything I know about touring and production. I used to tour with Ace Frehley. I did production, ran the VIP meet and greet, covid testing, helped with merch, heck I even drove the van a few times! While working for Ace we toured with Alice. Which was amazing because I got to tour a little with my friends and see how Alice’s camp runs. And let me tell you that is a well-oiled machine. On the Monsters of Rock cruise I did hair and makeup for Alice Coopers guitarist Tommy Henriksen for the Alice Cooper performance. Other celebrities I’ve done hair and makeup for include Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Steve Brown of Trixter, American idol finalist Constantine, Actress/Sinnger Anita Gillette, and LPGA pro Natalie Gulbis just name a few. 

Do you have any funny stories about people you have had in your make-up chair? 

One of my first steady makeup gigs was for a photographer who did mostly maternity shoots. Sometimes woman who aren’t use to getting their hair and makeup done will second guess what you are doing. Which is understandable. Sometimes pregnant women get very emotional, which is also understandable. So, when you are doing makeup on a pregnant woman these two things can happen at once. It’s important to pay attention to facial expressions to make sure the client is happy and comfortable. This particular client was doing a maternity family photo. So pregnant mom, dad and their 3 children. One of which was this adorable 4-year-old. As I was doing moms makeup, he was just running around with his Thor’s hammer being a funny kid. All of a sudden, I can see that mom is not feeling confident and she is starting to get emotional. Before I could say a word this 4-year-old runs over looks at his mother drops his Thor hammer and GASPS. My heart stopped, all I can think is OH NO! What is this little kid going to say? Because kids are brutally honest and if he doesn’t like this makeup he is going to say so and there will be no calming this woman down. Then he yells “MOMMY! How do you do your eyes like that?! You look so beautiful! DADDY! Did you see Mommy’s eyes?! She’s so beautiful!” This woman went from feeling unsure and about to cry to feeling like she was queen of the world.

What would be your dream job in the industry?

My dream job is to work on a project with Noel Fielding. I would love to work with him and bring his crazy characters to life. While I was in school my finally project was inspired by Noel Fielding character Bubble Gum Charlie from The Mighty Boosh.

What other types of art do you delve into?

I love to create all types of art. I play the bass and started learning drums. I actually wrote and illustrated a series of children’s books with my mom that I am currently trying to get published. I do pinup. I sew. Most of the outfits I shoot in are homemade. I also enjoy baking and decorating cookies and cakes. But I only do that once or twice a year because its WAAAAAY too much work. I have extreme respect and admiration for anyone who bakes creatively for a living. 

With your knowledge of FX Make-up would you ever want to make your own films?

YES! I have a few of my own projects that are in the works. To be very honest the only thing holding me back is funding. Apparently making films with practical effects isn’t cheap, who knew?! Everyone, everyone knew. 

What projects are you working on now?

I have some fantastic music videos I’m working on. So, definitely, be on the lookout for music videos by Christopher Ardra. He is a wonderful musician with very creative ideas and it has been such a pleasure and an honor to work with him. For other upcoming projects you can check out my website AmandaHuginkiss.com or you can find my work on social media @AmandaHuginkissOfficial on both Instagram and Facebook.