Make-up artist
A make-up artist ensures that models, performers and presenters have suitable make-up and hairstyles before they appear in front of cameras or an audience. This may be in a variety of settings, including film, television, theatre, live music and photographic shoots.
Make-up artists interpret the make-up requirements of clients to produce both a creative and technically accurate visual representation. This may involve very basic make-up for a TV presenter through to more complex period make-up or special effects. The work involves creating images and characters through the medium of make-up, hairstyles and prosthetics in accordance with a brief.
Depending on the nature of the job, make-up artists work alone, as assistants to a more senior colleague or as part of a make-up design team.
Typical work activities include:
Although this area of work is open to all graduates and diplomates, the following subjects may increase your chances:
Traditionally, academic qualifications are not as important as creative and practical skills. It is possible to become a make-up artist without a degree or HND. However, entrance generally is becoming formalised and candidates will often undertake a number of specialist HNDs in make-up artistry as a precursor to freelance industry experience/traineeships.
Several colleges and universities have a variety of two-year foundation degreed in make-up and prosthetics. The London College of Fashion offers a three-year BA in Make-up and Prosthetics.
NVQs in relevant subjects are also acceptable, such as hairdressing, beauty therapy, media and theatrical make-up. A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not needed.
Relevant experience is desirable, like working backstage at amateur dramatic productions or working in a beauty or hair salon, as well as any work placements or relevant unpaid work.
Job shadowing/work experience assisting a make-up artist gives insight, develops your portfolio, helps to build a network of contacts and demonstrates your commitment. Observation is one of the best ways to learn skills and techniques.
The job requires a broad-based background, including both theoretical interest, an understanding of period and current fashion, and excellent practical make-up and technical skills. Most people entering this field have taken a course in both make-up and hairdressing, as the job requires that you are multiskilled. An understanding of film and video production techniques, camera and lighting processes, styles of literature, performance and dramatisation may also be important.
Word of mouth, networking and speculative CVs are a common method of generating work. Many make-up artists use a photographic portfolio demonstrating the wide range of skills they offer.
Competition is tough and professionals are often employed on reputation and popularity. A good starting point is to think of the contacts made during study, particularly through any work experience placements. Good interpersonal and self-promotion skills are essential. Media directories help identify companies to target with a speculative CV or personal call. Professional journals are a good source of adverts as well as information on who and what is happening in the industry.
Creative Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Industries is particularly useful for identifying training courses, production companies and media groups. The Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematographic and Theatre Union (BECTU) provides useful information on industry developments and remuneration guidelines. Regional arts councils, such as Arts Council England , Creative Scotland , Arts Council of Wales and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Arts Council of Northern Ireland are more general sites that provide useful links to media organisations and their websites.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Informal training is just as important as formal qualifications. Consequently, industry experience, whether paid or unpaid, is vital to professional development and ability to get work. Given the predominance of freelance work, training is often on the job, with individuals taking responsibility for their own continued professional development (CPD). Many make-up artists believe that their on-the-job training and experience is just as important as their professional training, if not more so.
Many artists and designers wish to enhance or consolidate existing skills in order to open up new areas of expertise or to produce better quality work within their own specialist area. Further study provides the opportunity to experiment, diversify or obtain the specialist knowledge required. There are limited training opportunities, mainly based in commercial schools, for which you have to pay a fee. Make-up artists may undertake short courses in areas they wish to specialise in, such as special effects.
Creative Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Industries provides information on training opportunities. Subsidies of up to 70% are available on selected make-up courses through the Skillset Freelance Training Fund. Further training decisions are usually based on the review of a work portfolio, technical skills gained and industry experience of tutors.
Career development usually means securing more temporary contracts and demanding higher rates of pay, dependent on experience, networking specialist area and popularity. Few permanent positions exist. There is no defined progression route and the freelance nature of the profession means that individuals may move between make-up assistant, make-up artist, chief make-up artist and designer roles, depending on their experience and confidence within a sector.
Consequently a make-up artist may charge different rates for different jobs.
Decisions as to the right time to request higher rates of pay and bid for project work in a more senior role are very much based on an individual's own sense of confidence and how much experience and expertise they feel they have to offer in the labour market.
Ambitious individuals aim towards make-up director, but many freelance artists who do not reach this position still enjoy an autonomous and lucrative career. A make-up artist may become a specialist in one aspect of the job, such as a wig or prosthetics specialist.
There are several industries that regularly employ make-up artists. Typical employers include:
However, as most make-up artists are self-employed, they normally bid for work on a project-by-project basis.
Some make-up artists advertise their services through business directories and/or networks, such as Mandy's International Film and TV Production Resources . A make-up artist may offer a service to individuals and wedding parties on a commercial basis.
Many people working in the media obtain work by advertising through media directories such as:
Diary services and agencies are a popular method of linking with employers, but they often only include individuals with experience.
Make-up artists with a portfolio of experience may make speculative applications to production companies or approach make-up directors directly. For this, it may be helpful to produce a website to showcase examples of work.
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