Today we’d like to introduce you to Marc-Antonio Lucas II.
Hi Marc-Antonio, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always been a fan of performing arts. My dad took me to the circus when I was a child and that is where I first knew that I wanted to be a performer. I had my first opportunity to perform at my grandmother’s church. I would write plays for my cousins and I to perform either at family functions or church. Later in life, I also had my first experience with SFX makeup in church. Little did I know that all of this was setting up the foundation for what I would later become; a teacher, edutainer, actor, SFX makeup artist, and speaker.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was born with a beautiful even skin tone; brown with a strong red undertone. I looked like copper 😂. However, while in college, my childhood best friend unexpectedly passed away. I did not deal with my emotions and therefor they dealt with me. This resulted in the loss of my skin color. I remember being depressed for three days and trying to figure out what I was going to do. In performing arts, your looks are everything. For three days I tried to figure out who the new me would be. In other words, “whose life could I take on that would result in success and permit my new look?” After pondering this for three days, I decided that I could only be me and I would have to figure this out. This began my journey to be the different one in the room; the different one on camera; the different one on screen. Radio interviews became my only place of normal because you could only hear me and not see me. It has been tough in this industry when you don’t look normal. However, I have discovered two things; 1. Some people are actively looking for what’s not normal. This is how they make their projects stand out. (I’m your guy.) 2. If you mix a little bit of normal with something different, people become curious about you. I learned this from watching guys in wheelchairs. Their “different”’was the wheelchair, but their “normal” was their tattoos and especially being fit. My “tats” are my skin. I had to put in some work to workout. But this opened doors for me and has continued to open doors, not only in acting but in modeling as well. Fast forward, I have now done multiple films in a variety of roles, ended up on the cover of a magazine, and have been second runner up as a model and spokesperson for three different skin care companies. It’s like the very thing that was set up to close doors for me ended up being the very thing that opened them. I have also been invited to prisons, schools, churches, rehabs, and tv shows where I use SFX as a form of edutainment to promote mental health awareness; ESPECIALLY amongst men. I tell my story and use SFX makeup as unique way to gain audience engagement. When possible, I have counselors on site ready to help audience members take the next step forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
A friend of mine who is an actor from “The Walking Dead “ once told me, “You know what you are? You are an entertainment entrepreneur.” This made sense to me. While my childhood goal was to become a famous actor, I quickly learned that entertainment is a business and you are the product. This means that on one day you could be the hottest item on the market and the next day you could be old news. So in order to maintain that lifestyle that you’ve dreamed of, you have to be just as much of a business man as you are a talent. You have to be the CEO of your own company which is (insert your name). I learned this on the set of my first movie. Between takes, all of the celebrities were on the phone discussing business deals about things not related to the arts. So as a creative, I decided to also move different. I decided to become all things creative and diversify my income as such. On a movie set, I’m known for being the guy that likes to run his paycheck up. I could be the main character in one scene, turn around and direct extras in another scene, find talent, and do SFX makeup three scenes later. If I’m on set, I want to make as much money as I can no matter how small or large of a budget there is. Outside of film, I diversified my income. I’m a former school teacher (k5-college) and my schedule was not flexible (unless on vacation break). This led to me turning down opportunities. So when I left teaching, I decided to research 1099 jobs, flexible jobs, and contract work. Since doing that five years ago, I have worked in a number of fields in which I have more control over my schedule; jewelry (I’m a wholesaler and offer custom pieces for over 50k plus materials), process server, event coordinator, catering, gymnastics coach ( I’m a former gymnast), network marketer, educational consultant, translator (hablo español). I did not do all of these at once, but at times I may have held a few titles. All of these allowed me the flexibility to do what I love. My future goals include public speaking and becoming a fashion consultant for men that need to walk in to rooms and stand out. I am known for walking in to rooms and people walking up to me to speak just because of the way that I dress. This has helped me to network, meet other talented individuals, and open start new opportunities for business. I would like to be a consultant for other men; especially those that just need to change things up a little or who hate networking but don’t mind it if they don’t have to be the first one to speak. I guess you could call me a fashion wingman lol! There is nothing wrong with working a traditional job while supporting your craft. I have had to do it and as CEO of your life, sometimes the money flows like crazy and sometimes it stops. While I have no plans of going back to a normal job, I’m not above it or against it either. But I will never stop working towards my craft. Last but not least, I have learned a lot about the art of networking and would love to teach others.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My parents have been a HUGE support. Though my vision was not always clear to them, they just went along with it. “Here goes Marc-Antonio….. again.” lol! Second would be my students. The biggest compliment they ever gave me was “You need to quit teaching and go pursuit entertainment. But, don’t do it until after I graduate.” Third would be a former co-worker. Teaching is a very rewarding job, but also very emotionally draining. One day I performed for the school Christmas show. The following week, a teacher that was a couple of years away from retiring pulled me to the side. She said “Mr. Lucas, you are not like the rest of us. You are very talented. You are not stuck. Leave. Get out.” I taught one more year after that and then I took her advice. Fourth I would have to say opportunity. I’ve had my name spoken in rooms that have no business knowing who I am because I am not an A-lister in anything. Church gave me my first opportunity and people in the professional world are often shocked by that. Even as a teacher, I incorporated SFX makeup and acting in to my classroom no matter what the subject (and I’ve taught many). I had no idea that this opportunity would serve as practice and would one day lead to new opportunities. Some of my former students are now also in the entertainment industry and we have done movies, music videos, and even tv shows together. I am always seeking out new opportunities. As a result, I’d love to connect. Find me on instagram (@mlucasii), follow, send me a message, and let’s connect.
Pricing:
- Pricing is dependent upon the project and which services are provided.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: mlucasii
- Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm12431616/
