Westmont Magazine Making It Up as She Goes Along

Alexis Horlick ’04 loves to explore the mountains and rocky rivers of her Northern California home. She plays soccer every other day to speak Spanish, meet people and exercise. Once a week she flies trapeze with a Hollywood stunt man. “I’m totally addicted,” she says. But her biggest kick is being a free-lance make-up artist for film and television. Hired as “an extra pair of hands,” she worked on “Lady in the Water,” “X-Men 3,” and a Carl’s Jr.commercial. She even appeared as a grandma-turned- wolf in a Remax ad. “I love the art, fantasy and creativity of it all,” she says.

How did a Spanish major and art minor end up in Los Angeles doing make-up? While researching an art project, she discovered the Westmore Make-up Academy. Intrigued by a name so similar to Westmont, she checked it out. “Senior year was winding down, and I didn’t know what to do,” she says. Eventually she decided to attend the Make-Up Designory School (MUD). “I knew nothing about make-up,” she says. “It’s a crazy, mixed-up world, and I never know where God will place me next.”

Watching the creatures emerge for “Lady in the Water” fascinated her. “There is so much that goes into making them that most people don’t realize,” she says. “The wolves were created out of foam latex with fiberglass skeletons and animatronic body parts. On top of this is the paint and millions of blades of grass, individually cut by laser then sanded, folded, painted and glued to the bodies. The wolf can run on a track controlled by a computer. Remote controls operate the facial expressions. It’s a pretty impressive package.”

Alexis finds living in Los Angeles and working in the film industry eye-opening. “People definitely think I’m crazy when I stand up for things that seem so basic to me,” she says. “I’ve always been around people who share my beliefs and convictions, but now I may be the only Christian in a group of colleagues,” she says. “It can be intimidating, but what an opportunity. Getting connected right away at a local church has been a great anchor for me in a strange city. I’ve made some friends I can go to if I need comfort or accountability.

“The loving Christian community and friends at Westmont and the work ethic I had there continue to help me,” she adds. A former cross country and track and field athlete, she appreciates Coach Russell Smelley’s influence in her life. “His integrity and leadership gave me an example to emulate,” she says. “His servant heart and attitude inspire me.”