Chief Make-up Artists are responsible for the overall design and execution of the Make-up on feature films, and on some big budget Commercials; they are in charge of the Make-up Department.  They work closely with Costume Designers, and Chief Hairdressers to ensure that each artist's overall "look" complements every aspect of the script.  Chief Make-up Artists work from the overall design brief to create the desired illusion.  They research and create the "look" for each character in relation to social class, time periods, and any other relevant factors. They supervise the application of all make-up, including glamour make-up, corrective and character make-up, special effects, facial hair, etc., and oversee its continuity throughout the shoot.  They also set up the department: drawing up and managing budgets and schedules, hiring and scheduling staff, and organising facilities.  Chiefs are recruited during pre-production, and liaise with the Director, Actors, Costume Designer, Director of Photography, Production Designer, Director, Actors and extras.  Chief Make-up Artists usually work on a freelance basis.  The hours are long and the job can involve long periods working away from home.

What is the job?
Chief Make-up Artists break down the script: working out make-up styles for each character, assessing whether prosthetics, facial hair, contact lenses, teeth, etc., need to be made or acquired, and carrying out research into the production's time period.  They present their initial ideas to the Director, Chief Hairdresser, Production and Costume Designers.  Having created individual designs, they make sure that Actors are comfortable with their look, note any allergies or sensitivities and report them to appropriately qualified personnel.   Chief Make-up Artists work with the Lighting Director, the Camera department, and the Hairdressing department on test shots to assess how make-ups look on camera.  They are allocated their budget, and may negotiate for increased funds.  They assess the creative and technical requirements of the work, carry out a full risk assessment, and oversee the preparation of the departmental budget breakdown. 

Chiefs recruit staff for their department, and explain the design brief to their team to ensure that the look is consistent.  They prepare an overall departmental production schedule, as well as overseeing the day-to-day breakdown of responsibilities.  They negotiate terms with, and hire, the appropriate suppliers and/or prosthetics makers, facial hair makers, opticians, dentists, etc.  They communicate design requirements to them, and ensure that they deliver to specified deadlines.  They ensure that prosthetics and facial hair fittings, dentists' and opticians' appointments are arranged for Actors.  Prior to the shoot, Chief Make-up Artists prepare accurate call times for performers, and draw up and distribute continuity notes for principal and supporting Actors.  They supervise the make-up process throughout the shoot, possibly working as Personal Make-up Artist for one or more of the principal Actors.  They ensure that continuity is maintained, that all make-up is safely removed, and that all facial hair is removed, cleaned, and tonged.  

Typical career routes
Chief Make-up Artists are usually experienced personnel who have worked in the film and/or television industries for a minimum of 10 years.  They may work in feature films, commercials, fashion and/or television, or they may specialise in one of these areas.  They may have entered the department as Trainees, progressing to become Assistant Make-up Artists, and eventually Make-up Artists working on larger and more complex productions.  After several years in this role, they may become Chief Make-up Artists.  Progress through the department is usually based on skills and experience, which is acquired by on the job training, while assisting established Make-up Artists.  Chief Make-up Artist is not an entry-level position, and considerable knowledge and experience is required, combined with a wide network of contacts with product and prosthetics suppliers and manufacturers. 

Essential knowledge and skills
Overseeing an entire department or a separate production unit requires excellent leadership skills and a great deal of self-assurance.  Chief Make-up Artists should be effective team-builders and managers, able to motivate and organise the right mix of personalities and skills.  They should be able to listen to the ideas and concerns of others, whilst at the same time trusting their own opinions and instincts.  Chief Make-up Artists work closely with Actors in a physical sense, and must therefore be tactful, sensitive, patient, and able to put people at their ease.  The work can be physically demanding, as it involves many hours of standing or bending over Actors.  Creative problem solving skills, and flexibility are essential, as is the keen eye for detail needed to oversee continuity.  They should be able break down scripts in terms of make-up plots, and must understand the research process. 

 Chief Make-up Artists need a large cultural knowledge base, not only in terms of period make-up and contemporary styles, but also in medical conditions, skin diseases, and special effects such as burns, wounds, scars, dental effects, contact lenses.  They must be up to date with the latest products, materials, equipment and techniques such as airbrushing, etc.  They may also be expected to have some hairdressing skills.  Chiefs need to translate abstract ideas into practical applications, quickly and efficiently.  Drawing skills are useful.  They must have excellent strategic planning, scheduling and budget control skills.  Language skills are helpful for foreign shoots, where the team may include local Make-up Artists.  All members of the Make-up Department are expected to have their own kits.

Key Skills include:

• make-up skills including: straight corrective; glamour; period;
ageing face, hands and neck; contouring effects; some specialised techniques such as making and applying bald caps; applying and dressing facial hair; creating special effects such as skin diseases, cuts, burns, scars; tattoos and body-painting;   
• effective communication and diplomacy skills;
• excellent organisational skills;
• good presentation skills;
• ability to work effectively as part of a team;
• ability to work under pressure to external and departmental deadlines;
• good IT skills;
• knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.

Training and qualifications
All Make-up Artists entering the film and television industries need at least a Level 2 vocational qualification or equivalent in Media Make-up.  Chief Make-up Artists must have at least 10 years professional industry experience.  Short course vocational qualifications are also available at levels 2 and 3.  As it is essential that all Make-up Artists keep up to date with new methods and materials further qualifications and skills may be acquired by attending specialist, industry approved short courses.   Make-up Artists may work toward an NVQ/SVQ level 4 or equivalent vocational qualification in Management, which is useful (although not essential) for working as a Chief Make-up Artist.  Experience of working in theatre with facial hair specialists, and with prosthetics makers is also advantageous.  At all levels, personality and the right attitude are extremely important.  A full EU driving license is useful.

Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted. As part of Skillset's and the UK Film Council's Film Skills Strategy, A Bigger Future, a network of Screen Academies and a Film Business Academy have been approved as centres of excellence in education and training for film.

Where to go for more information
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Finally, Skillset Careers is UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.

Websites

• BBC
• BECTU - the trade union represents Make-up and Hair personnel

Publications

• Broadcast - the weekly newspaper for the UK TV and Radio industry
• Televisual - the business magazine for the broadcast and production industry
• The Make-up Artist Magazine
• Stage Screen and Radio
• Screen International
• The Technique of the Professional Make-up Artist - Vincent J.R. Kehoe ISBN: 0240802179
• Special Make-up Effects - Vincent Kehoe ISBN: 0240800990
• The Complete Make-up Artist - Penny DelemarISBN: 1861528906
• Fashions in Make-up - Richard Corson. ISBN: 0720611954
• A Colour Atlas of Diagnosis after Recent Injury, P.D. London. ISBN: 0801662958

Download this job profile in pdf format:
Chief Make-Up Artist - Film - Job Profile

If your computer has the relevant software, click the document icons or document titles to view the relevant document. Right-click (PC) or hold your mouse-button down (Mac) on the document icon/title, you'll be given the option to save the file to disk. If you don't have the necessary software to view the documents, take the above links to download free reader programs.