Make-Up Artist
Make-up artists apply make-up and style the hair of performers and presenters. They may work in film, television, theatre, on commercials, pop promos, corporate productions, fashion shows and live performances, and photo shoots. The type of make-up used depends on the production. It can range from a contemporary 'natural look' for a television presenter, to period styles for historical dramas, 'casualty' make-up (blood and bruises), or the application of small prosthetics.
Depending on the production, a make-up artist's work may include:
- selecting and purchasing supplies
- research and design
- doing 'corrective' make-up and hair tidying for presenters and interviewees
- applying make-up to actors
- fitting hairpieces, bald caps and prosthetics
- keeping careful notes and taking photographs to ensure continuity.
Hours are long and irregular, and include evenings, weekends and public holidays. The work is usually indoors, sometimes in small, cramped environments. Location work can involve working outdoors in all weathers. The work can also involve long periods away from home. The job may be unsuitable for those with sensitive skin or certain allergies.
Salaries may range from around £15,000 to £45,000 a year.
A make-up artist should have:
- make-up and hairdressing skills, including corrective, glamour, period and ageing
- artistic and technical skills
- a good eye for colour and detail
- communication skills
- the ability to put people at ease
- an interest in storytelling and character building.
Most make-up artists are freelance and employed on short-term contracts which can last for just one day or a few months. Opportunities may be found in theatre, television and film, corporate productions and commercials, and with photographers working on magazines or advertising shoots.
Although not essential, most make-up artists have undertaken training. There is a wide range of relevant courses at various levels in hairdressing, make-up and beauty therapy. Practical experience is essential, possibly gained by working in beauty or hair salons.
Make-up artists usually train on the job, learning from more experienced colleagues. They need to keep up with new techniques and materials throughout their careers. Short courses are available at private make-up academies and also through trade organisations, such as the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) and the National Association of Screen Make-Up Artists and Hairdressers (NASMAH).
Progression for make-up artists is dependent on establishing a reputation and being offered the opportunity to move on to higher profile productions. With the right skills and experience they may progress to chief make-up artist or make-up designer, or specialise in particular techniques or effects. Some make-up artists go on to teach or set up their own academies.
What is the work like?
Make-up artists apply make-up and style the hair of performers and presenters. They may work in film, television, theatre, on commercials, pop promos, corporate productions, fashion shows and live performances, and photo shoots. Their work plays an important part in creating the right 'look' for a production.
The type of make-up used depends on the production. It can range from a contemporary 'natural look' for a television presenter, to period styles for historical dramas, 'casualty' make-up (blood and bruises), or the application of small prosthetics, such as false noses and scars.
Make-up artists usually work to a brief. For drama productions this may include character and scene breakdowns, and detailed notes and pictures of the look they must create. Depending on the production, their work may include:
- selecting and purchasing supplies
- research and design
- doing 'corrective' make-up and hair tidying for presenters and interviewees
- applying make-up to actors
- fitting hairpieces, bald caps and prosthetics
- re-applying make-up when necessary
- keeping careful notes and taking photographs to ensure continuity
- removing products
- carrying out risk assessments and developing procedures to control risks.
Make-up artists must be experienced in using a range of professional products. They may also work with wigs, facial and other false hair, and prosthetics.
Make-up artists work closely with performers and presenters, making sure that they are comfortable with their look and checking for any allergies. On larger productions they may be employed as a personal make-up artist, responsible for the look of a principal actor.
Make-up artists also work closely with directors, designers, cinematographers, costume designers and other members of the technical team, to make sure that their work suits the overall production design.
Hours and environment
Hours are long and irregular. A standard working day may be around 8-10 hours, and overtime is common. Make-up artists often have to work in the evenings, at weekends and during public holidays. They sometimes work on more than one production at a time.
The work is usually indoors - in dressing rooms, make-up rooms, television or film studios, on make-up trucks or in people's homes - sometimes in small, cramped environments. Location work can involve working outdoors in all weathers. The job can also involve long periods away from home.
Make-up artists have to have their own kit, which can be heavy to carry around. They may spend a great deal of time standing or bending over actors to apply make-up.
The job may be unsuitable for people with sensitive skin or certain allergies.
Salary and other benefits
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.
- A newly qualified make-up artist may earn up to £15,000 a year.
- Make-up artists with experience may earn over £25,000 a year.
- A chief make-up artist may earn around £45,000 a year.
Most make-up artists work freelance and negotiate a fee per contract or project. Income can vary and there may be periods when they are not earning. The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) can advise on rates. Current recommended minimum rates for a 10 hour day range between £231 and £288, depending on the type of production.
Skills and personal qualities
A make-up artist should have:
- make-up and hairdressing skills, including corrective, glamour, period and ageing, as well as special techniques
- artistic and technical skills
- a good eye for colour and detail
- communication skills
- the ability to put people at ease
- diplomacy and tact
- the ability to work effectively as part of a team and under pressure of deadlines
- IT skills
- knowledge of health and safety legislation and procedures.
Interests
It helps to be interested in:
- storytelling and character building
- people
- contemporary and historical styles and fashion.
Getting in
Most make-up artists are freelance and work on short-term contracts which can last for just one day or up to a few months. Opportunities may be found in theatre, television and film, corporate productions and commercials, and with photographers working on magazines or advertising shoots.
Vacancies may be advertised on specialist industry websites, such as http://www.mandy.com/, http://www.broadcastfreelancer.com/ and http://www.stagejobspro.com/, and in trade journals such as Broadcast and The Stage. Some make-up artists register with diary services or advertise in crew directories, such as The Knowledge. Details of forthcoming productions may be found in Screen International and Production and Casting Report. The latter produces a newsletter which is available on subscription at http://www.pcrnewsletter.com/.
Competition is fierce and success often depends on reputation and contacts. Make-up artists must be able to market themselves and should create a portfolio or DVD showreel of their work.
Entry routes
Although not an essential requirement, most make-up artists have undertaken training. There is a wide range of relevant courses at various levels in hairdressing, make-up and beauty therapy. They will also have gained practical experience, possibly working in beauty or hair salons.
Specialist media make-up courses include the following:
- BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in performing arts (make-up)
- London College of Fashion Diploma in image styling for performance, foundation degree in film and TV make-up and BA (Hons) degree in make-up and prosthetics for performance
- VTCT Level 3 Diploma in theatrical and media make-up
- ITEC Diploma in fashion, theatre and media make-up.
There is also a wide range of short courses, including courses in specialist techniques, such as prosthetics or special effects make-up.
Applicants should check course content and entry requirements with course providers.
They may have to demonstrate their potential with a portfolio of work.
It is essential to gain practical experience. Courses may include work placements and relevant experience can also be gained in amateur or fringe theatre, student films and photography projects, charity or student fashion shows.
A make-up artist for film and television usually starts as a trainee or assistant and works their way up. It may be possible to find work as a 'daily', mainly on films, employed on a day-to-day basis, usually on large crowd scenes.
Training
Make-up artists usually train on the job, learning from more experienced colleagues. They need to keep up with new techniques and materials throughout their careers.
Short courses are available at private make-up academies and also through trade organisations, such as the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) and the National Association of Screen Make-Up Artists and Hairdressers (NASMAH). Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for Creative Media, subsidises some training for freelancers.
New entrant training schemes for film and television include:
- FT2 make-up/hair assistant training.
- BBC design training scheme.
Entry requirements are available on their websites. Competition for places is fierce.
Getting on
Progression for make-up artists is dependent on establishing a reputation and being offered the opportunity to move on to larger and higher profile projects and productions. With the right skills and experience they may progress to become chief make-up artists or make-up designers, or specialise in particular techniques or effects.
Some make-up artists go on to teach or set up their own academies. It may be possible to work overseas.
Further information
BBC Training and Development, 221 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4AA. 020 7208 9469. Website: www.bbc.co.uk/design
British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC), Meteor Court, Barnett Way, Barnwood, Gloucester GL4 3GG. 0845 065 9000. Website: http://www.babtac.com/
Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU), 373-377 Clapham Road, London SW9 9BT. 020 7346 0900. Website: http://www.bectu.org.uk/
Creative and Cultural Skills, 4th Floor, Lafone House, The Leathermarket, Weston Street, London SE1 3HN. 020 7015 1800. Website: http://www.creative-choices.co.uk/
FT2 - Film & Television Freelance Training, 3rd Floor, 18-20 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TJ. 020 7407 0344. Website: http://www.ft2.org.uk/
Get Into Theatre. Website: http://www.getintotheatre.org/
Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA), Oxford House, Sixth Avenue, Sky Business Park, Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster DN9 3GG. 0845 230 6080. Website: http://www.habia.org/
London College of Fashion, 20 John Princes Street, London W1G 0BJ. 020 7514 7400. Website: http://www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/
National Association of Screen Make-Up Artists and Hairdressers (NASMAH), 68 Sarsfield Road, Perivale, Middlesex UB6 7AG. 020 8998 7494. Website: http://www.nasmah.co.uk/
Skillset, Focus Point, 21 Caledonian Road, London N1 9GB. Free careers helpline: 08080 300 900. Website: www.skillset.org/careers
Further reading
Fashions in Makeup - Peter Owen Ltd
Period Make-up for Studio, Stage and Screen - Methuen Drama
Professional Make-up Artistry - Heinemann
Theatrical Design and Production: An Introduction to Scene Design and Construction, Lighting, Sound, Costume, and Makeup - McGraw-Hill
The Complete Make Up Artist - Thomson Learning
Performing Arts Uncovered - Trotman
Working in Performing Arts - VT Lifeskills
Magazines/journals
Broadcast
Make-up Artist Magazine - http://www.makeupmag.com/
Production and Casting Report - http://www.pcrnewsletter.com/
Screen International
The Stage
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