From Cheetah Dreams to Special Effects Mastery

Meet Mickayla Pence, a talented makeup artist and wounds specialist, who has turned her childhood dreams into a successful 12-year career in the film industry. She’s not only an expert at transforming actors into creatures and characters but also has a creative journey full of unexpected twists.

“I never imagined I’d end up here. I thought I was going to be a cheetah zookeeper!”

Mickayla laughs. But life, as it often does, had a different path in store.

The Artistic Foundation

Mickayla’s love for art started at a young age, thanks to her grandmother, Maxine. “My grandmother was a painter. She did oil and watercolor, and she really showed me that it’s okay to make mistakes. Art is about expression, not perfection,” Mickayla recalls.

Growing up in Perrysburg, Ohio, Mickayla was introduced to art through her grandmother’s encouragement. However, her first love wasn’t always makeup. Instead, she envisioned a future working with animals, particularly cheetahs, at the Toledo Zoo. “I was convinced I was going to be a cheetah zookeeper,” she remembers with a smile.

The Move to West Virginia

Mickayla’s path changed when her family moved to Lewisburg, West Virginia, when she was 15. “It was a tough transition,” she admits. “I was leaving my friends behind, and the culture was different. But I had family here, so it felt familiar too.” While this move wasn’t easy, it was a pivotal point that helped Mickayla focus on her future and sparked her interest in pursuing a career in art.

“I went from being part of the volunteer program at the Toledo Zoo to thinking about what really excites me. That’s when I started to look more seriously at art.”

A New Career Path

After high school, Mickayla attended Marshall University, where she earned a Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in graphic design. But her real breakthrough came when she moved to New York City and found herself working as a background actor for the movie Run All Night, starring Liam Neeson. “I didn’t even know what I was doing at first. I just thought it would be a fun side gig,” she explains.

This experience ignited her passion for film, and soon after, Mickayla decided to go back to school, enrolling in the Makeup Forever Academy in New York City. She completed a six-month master program in makeup artistry, specializing in special effects, wounds, and film makeup. “It was a huge step, but it felt like the right move,” Mickayla shares.

Now, with over a decade of experience under her belt, Mickayla has become a sought-after makeup and wounds specialist in the film world, working on a variety of productions, both large and small.

Watch the full episode below for more behind-the-scenes insights, and don’t forget to submit your own unique stories to Creepalachia. We want to hear from you!