Make up artist
The Make-up Artist works to the Chief Hair and Make-up Artist. Their responsibilities include attending the design meetings with the design/make-up team. They will apply make-up to actors. They will prepare the skin for make-up application, apply a wide variety of professional make-up products, alter or maintain make-up during productions to ensure the continuity of a performer's appearance, and remove make-up as required. They may be required to produce a range of make-up effects from wounds to simulated tattoos. Increasingly, Make-up Artists are expected to successfully style, trim, blow-dry and spray dye hair in addition to make-up duties. They may also order and design wigs according to production needs. Finally, they are responsible for maintaining photographic and detailed records of the make-up employed in each scene for continuity and reference purposes.
Role Profile
- Must have artistic skills and creative flair for the application and adaptation of make-up products and effects
- Good colour perception and familiarity with different make-up products and application techniques
- Patience, tact and good communication skills to be able to put people at ease
- Understanding of the latest styles as well as period looks
- Resilience to work under pressure to a deadline
- Efficient time management and the ability to organise and prioritise tasks
- Ability to work effectively in a team
The Make-up Artist will need knowledge of
- Art and design movements and methodology
- Styles of performance, dramatisation, literature and textual analysis
- Film and video production techniques
- Camera and lighting processes
- Budgeting and scheduling processes
- Period and contemporary imagery: make-up trends
- Make-up processes and application skills
- Hairdressing cutting and styling techniques
- Wig and facial hair construction, maintenance, dressing and application processes
- Specialist make-up techniques/effects make-up
- Prosthetic make-up techniques and application
- Proficiency in health and safety in this area is required to deal with different substances, materials and skin reactions
- An expansive knowledge of specialist suppliers, retail and hire sources
Career Path
The usual career route is an academic qualification equivalent to an NVQ in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, followed by a specialised media make-up course and extensive practical experience and training in the industry
© MMIX