There are a lot more things than meets the eye about being a make-up artist. For example they also are in charge of the hair and wigs for the actor(s) too.
Wages:
Latest rates are as follows: £200 for a 10 hour day for junior make-up/hair assistant and £300 for make-up designer prosthetics. These rates are for peak-time drama television production and high budget feature films. Rates are negotiable and individuals who are well regarded in the industry are in great demand and are paid well above the rates listed. Low-budget feature and off-peak TV productions pay less because of budget constrictions. Commercials may be very lucrative - in excess of £400 per day for experienced artists. Fashion and editorial work ranges from £250 to £2,000 per day. Top make-up artists designing for fashion shows regularly earn over £3,000 per day (salary data collected may 2010). Many make-up artists initially work for free or for a small fee on low-budget productions or editorial shoots, to build up a record of published work and gain experience.
A typical working day includes long and unsocial hours. Shifts and weekend work are common. Working on a film or television project means a make-up artist is required to be on set before filming commences and to remain on set throughout filming in order to re-apply make-up. Advance fittings are required often. Working as part of a production team is integral to the role.
The environment varies from indoor dressing rooms to hot studios to freezing-cold outdoor locations. The work is physically demanding and requires great concentration. Most make-up artists carry around their own equipment.
The majority of make-up artists work on a self-employed/freelance basis. Freelancing is often an essential pre-requisite for the very limited number of permanent jobs. Professionals are contracted for projects, either directly or through an agent.
Potential employers will be located mainly in cities, particularly those with strong regional independent TV companies. Most opportunities are in the London area.
Travel within a working day, periodic relocation, absence from home at night and overseas work or travel is frequent. Make-up artists may travel overseas for film work on location.
Job description:
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.
Typical work activities:
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:
communicating with clients to clarify visual requirements;
production study: reading scripts to ascertain the materials and the look required, budget implications and identifying areas where research is required;
producing and sketching design ideas for hairstyles and make-up;
ensuring continuity in hair and make-up and liaising with other members of the design team to ensure the overall look/effect is consistent and coherent;
demonstrating and implementing a practical understanding of lighting, the photographic process, colours and the impact of special effects/make-up processes on the skin;
ensuring that appropriate action is taken to minimize unpleasant side effects from the use of specialist make-up/hairdressing techniques;
taking detailed notes and photographs of work, maintaining an up-to-date portfolio of work;
maintaining awareness of health and safety issues and legislation;
casting facial and body moulds and sculpting latex foam - known as prosthetics;
fitting and maintaining wigs, hairpieces and prosthetics;
hairdressing;
maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of available make-up and beauty products;
sourcing, budgeting and ordering materials and equipment from specialist suppliers;
time management - knowing how long a subject will take to be made-up;
Working quickly and accurately in time-pressured conditions.
Creative Process-
Step 1: Study Art and Design at, school, college or university,
Step 2: Take a one or two year course/ diploma. – Theatrical stage make up,
Film and television make up,
Step 3: Buy or make all of the equipment needed eg- Brushes, make-up, wigs,
Step 4: Work out the time era of the ongoing production,
Step 5: Research the hair and make-up from that time era,
Step 6: Look at the actors to determine whether they need a wig and look at the lighting arrangement to make sure the coloured lighting won’t effect the make-up or hair colour,
Step 7: Practice on the actor(s) to make sure the design works,
Step 8: Teach the actor(s) to do it themselves.
Voila, job done!
