Makeup Artist
Make-up artists apply make-up and style hair for people appearing on camera or in front of a live audience. On a day to day basis they may research and design make-up and hairstyles, work to production designers' notes and instructions, style hair, create special effects make-up, take notes and photos for reference, be on set to redo make-up and hair, remove make-up and keep wigs and hairpieces in good condition and much more.
how to become :
Make up Artist - tv & film special effects information
Taken from Brushstroke
The Life of a Film, TV and Stage Make-Up Artist
The work is so broad it’s impossible to do justice to the variety of jobs that could come your way as a make-up artist working in film and TV. For example a range of injuries for a crowd scene, ‘barely there’ make-up for a male chat show guest, sci-fi prosthetics or a replica tattoo. You might be reflecting London in the ’60s or 17th century Italy. Make-up artists are magicians – they transform actors into monsters and victims of crime. They hide and conceal blemishes, tattoos and signs of a late night. Sometimes they simply make sure someone on stage looks as natural as possible to an audience far away.
Artists can concentrate on being part of a ‘permanent team regularly doing make-up on a TV soap, for example. Alternatively, you could juggle work on different jobs at any one time – a theatre for four nights a week while working on TV productions during the day.
- Develop your skills
Building up your skills and techniques as a make-up artist working in film and TV starts with good solid training followed by on-the-job experience. It is important to have basic make up skills to begin with, but of course SFX make up is a completely different skills set. Understanding the use of Silicone moulds, foam latex, body paint and custom adhesives is what you need to learn! Therefore learning your craft from education or an apprenticeship is a good place to start.
Taken from Brushstroke 2023 : There are 5 key areas of make-up training excellence for artists working in film and TV:
The ability to interpret a concept and create something unique. But also acknowledge a brief and follow step-by-step instructions precisely.
Having hair styling skills of the highest standard both period and contemporary, including wigs and extensions.
Broad and very varied make-up skills and technical ability – from a 20 minute ‘barely there’ to a 4-hour SFX.
Judging how best to interact with people. For example, other members of the production team as well as your clients and, of course, the actors getting ready to perform.
Business acumen – understanding the promotional and financial aspects of working as a self-employed make-up artist.
- Look to enhances your skills
You should look to build your skills through a course or an apprenticeship.
- Gain experience in the industry
After gaining the skills, it is important to gain important experience in the industry. This would be usually starting on smaller jobs such as crowd scenes in a big film production for example, or in local theatre or independent productions. From this you can gain in confidence and credability in the industry to attain the bigger productions or tv and film sets.
4 . Build your portfolio / expand your network
Document all of the work you have worked on! it is really important to have this ready for interviews to showcase your work and what you can do. Use online portoflios such as Instagram, TikTok, or your own personal website. Being on social media can help to also gain a network of others in the industry. It is important expand your network that could then in turn help you gain access to projects and the industry. Showcasing your work at live events can also be beneficial such as conventions and workshops. Events such as The Prosthetics Event happen each year and provide space for industry professionals to meet and showcase their talents.
5. Find your specalism
These are some of the top routes to consider:
Age transformations
Creature prosthetics
Injury realism
Drag and theatre
Body painting and airbrushing
6. Establish your services
What services can you provide in general? What are your costs if you work freelance? It is also important to be insured for business purposes. As with any freelance profession, you’ll have to protect yourself against theft, loss and damage — plus any incidents that could leave you responsible for compensating your clients, such as a reaction to one of your products.
For more information & useful links :
https://brushstroke.co.uk/make-up-artist-roles/
HOW TO BECOME A MAKEUP ARTIST/ sfx Make up
The main routes to get into this role are:
A university course- there are various different degrees you could undertake when becoming a makeup artist.
A college course- there are different diplomas you could take to support you within this role.
An apprenticeship- you could undertake an apprenticeship for this role.
Working towards this role- you could get an entry level job and work your way up.
Specialist courses run by private training providers- you can do specialist make-up and beauty courses through private beauty schools.
college/ Further Education options
You could take one of the following Level 3 qualifications:
VTCT Diploma in Theatrical and Media Make-up
City & Guilds Advanced Technical Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects and Media Make-up Artistry
City & Guilds Advanced Technical Diploma in Barbering
City & Guilds Advanced Technical Diploma in Hairdressing
City & Guilds Advanced Technical Diploma in Media Make-up Artistry
City & Guilds Diploma in Barbering
City & Guilds Diploma in Hairdressing for Colour Technicians
City & Guilds Diploma in Hairdressing for Cutting and Styling Technicians
City & Guilds Diploma in Women’s Hairdressing
VTCT Diploma in Hairdressing for Colour Technicians
VTCT Diploma in Theatrical and Special Effects and Hair and Media Makeup
VTCT Diploma/Extended Diploma in Beauty Make-up Techniques
VTCT Diploma/Extended Diploma in Hairdressing
VTCT Diploma/Extended Diploma in Barbering
VTCT Combined Diploma in Hairdressing
UNIVERSITY OPTIONS
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or a degree in specialist make-up techniques like:
Make-up for media and performance
Media make-up artistry
Theatrical, media and special effects make-up
Subjects that show that you are creative and have good communication skills can be useful for getting on to university make-up artistry courses.
These could include:
Art and design
Performing arts
Drama or theatre studies
You'll also need creative talent and a print or online portfolio to demonstrate your skills.
APPRENTICESHIP OPTIONS
You could get into this job through:
A Beauty Therapy Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
A Hairdressing Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
A Hair, Wigs, Make-up and Prosthetics Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
With a qualification in hair or beauty and practical experience you may be able to apply for assistant make-up artist jobs.
Apprenticeship finders
https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
Interview help
https://breezy.hr/resources/interview-questions/makeup-artist
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/makeup-artist-interview-questions
Employers
Employers include:
television
film, video and advertising and commercial companies
commercial and fashion photographers and portrait photographers
retail
the wedding industry, for bridal make-up
the fashion industry, for both haute couture and retail outlet fashion shows
cosmetic companies and designer hairdressing salons, particularly for demonstrations or hairdressing competitions
large theatres, some of which may offer a limited number of permanent positions, other theatres contract freelance artists to run make-up workshops for performers prior to new productions
education institutions, who employ make-up artists as teachers on established and certificated make-up courses, other education institutions occasionally employ make-up artists to run make-up workshops for students as part of the practical performance element of their drama or theatrical studies
the medical profession, where a make-up artist may work with patients following injury or surgery.
However, as most make-up artists are self-employed, they normally bid for work on a project-by-project basis. Creating an online portfolio of your work is a good way of showcasing your work and social media and online booking systems are a helpful way to get and manage work.
Look for job vacancies at:
Many people working in the media obtain work by advertising through media directories such as:
Film Bang - film and TV crew in Scotland
example Employers
