Make-up Artists work on feature films and on some commercials and pop promos, working to the Chief Make-up Artist.  Make-up and Hair are key elements in the overall design of films or television productions, creating a look for the characters in relation to social class, and time periods, and any other elements required to create the desired illusion.  Make-up Artists should be experienced in using a wide variety of professional make-up products.  They must be able to work to make-up designs to meet production requirements.  They also work with facial hair, and may be required to affix any required small prosthetics.  They oversee make-up continuity on their performer(s) during the shoot, and remove products as required.   Make-up Artists are recruited onto films during pre-production and work throughout production, usually on a freelance basis.  The hours are long and the job can involve long periods working away from home.

What is the job?
Make-up Artists are briefed by Chief Make-up Artists, who provide them with detailed notes, character and scene breakdowns, and if necessary reference pictures about the characters they must create.  Occasionally they may only receive a rough brief, and must produce their own script breakdown, and research and create their own design notes.  They work on principal and supporting Actors, and depending on the schedule, usually look after several Actors throughout the shoot.  They are responsible for maintaining the continuity of their Artists' "look".  They must also carry out full risk assessments, and develop procedures to control risks. 

On smaller productions Make-up Artists must be able to negotiate terms with appropriate suppliers and prosthetic makers, provide them with design specifications, and ensure that they deliver to specific deadlines.  They discuss colour palettes with Production and Costume Designers.  They make appointments for, and if necessary, go with actors to facial hair fittings, prosthetic castings, optician and dental appointments.  They ensure that actors are comfortable with their look, note any allergies or sensitivities and report them to appropriately qualified personnel. 

Personal Make-up Artists are specifically requested by one of the principal Actors to work exclusively on their make-up, and they have autonomy within the department.  Although they receive a rough brief from the Make-up Designer, they prepare their own script breakdown, and research and create, and are ultimately responsible for, their own designs.  However, they must work within the overall design of each production.  Dailies work on productions on a day-to-day basis, usually on large crowd scenes. 

In all cases, Make-up Artists check whether Actors have any skin conditions in advance, and make sure that any allergies or sensitivities are taken into consideration, and report them to the relevant Head of Department.  They apply make-up, affix prosthetics, apply products and use specialised techniques to create specific designs.  They work with facial hair and false pieces, such as beards and moustaches.  They may also apply special effects make-up, e.g., grazes, cuts and bruises, and bald caps. 

Make-up Artists usually accompany their performers onto set, and stand by during their scenes, touching up make-up between takes, and ensuring that continuity notes are maintained using digital or polaroid photographs.  When the scenes have been shot, Make-up Artists remove performers' make-up.  They remove facial hair and small prosthetics, ensuring that they are cleaned and prepared for further use.  Make-up Artists may be required to assist with any subsequent publicity shots.

Typical career routes
Make-up Artists are usually experienced personnel who have worked in the film and/or television industries for a minimum of 5 years. They may have started their careers working as Trainees, progressing to Assistant Make-up Artists, and to Make-up Artists working on larger and more complex productions.  They may eventually 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 Chief Make-up Artists. 

Essential knowledge and skills
Make-up Artists must be self-assured, without appearing over-confident.  The ability to cope with stress, and a positive attitude are paramount, as they work long hours in pressurized, often cramped environments  The work can be physically demanding, as it involves many hours of standing or bending over Actors.  Make-up Artists work very closely with Actors in a physical sense and must therefore be tactful, sensitive, patient, and able to put people at their ease.  Creative problem solving and flexibility are essential, as is the keen eye for detail needed to oversee continuity. 

Make-up Artists should be able to break down scripts in terms of Make-up plots for their Artists, and need an understanding of story structure and character arcs.  They must understand the research process, and be familiar with both period Make-up, and contemporary looks.  They should understand the overall look of the production and be able to re-create it.  They need a good eye for colour, and an understanding of the anatomy of the human skull and facial muscle structure.  They should have the artistic and technical skills, and manual dexterity, necessary for the application of make-up styles and effects.  Language skills may be helpful for foreign shoots, where the team may include local Make-up personnel.  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 should have achieved at least a Level 2 vocational qualification or equivalent in Media Make-up, and should have the equivalent of four years professional 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 additional skills may be acquired by attending specialist, industry approved short courses.  Experience of working in theatre or with prosthetics makers is also advantageous.  At all levels, personality and the right attitude are extremely important.  A full EU driving licence 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
• Make-up Continuity Sheets - Linda Morton

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

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