Assistant Hairdressers work on feature films and are responsible to Hairdressers, Chief Hairdressers and/or Designers. Their responsibilities vary depending on the size of the production. If there are no Hair and Make-up Trainees on a film, Assistants assume their duties. The work involves setting up workstations, assisting senior staff, and working on crowd scenes. On some productions Assistant Hairdressers may be given responsibility for minor or principal characters. Assistant Hairdressers are employed during production, and 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?
Assistant Hairdressers are usually recruited onto productions approximately a week before shooting commences. They are involved in the basic setup and maintenance of hair workstations, including: keeping workstations clean and tidy, cleaning and laying out brushes and products for the day ahead, making sure product levels are maintained, assisting with the purchase of supplies, and moving hair kit between trucks or locations. They help Hairdressers in their work: washing performers' hair, helping to alter, repair and dress wigs and toupees, washing and setting wigs and hairpieces, running errands, and making sure that performers are well looked after.

Assistant Hairdressers are involved in crowd days: preparing facilities, styling large numbers of extras, and standing by on set to maintain continuity. They may be given responsibility for minor characters. They prepare Actors' hair and scalp in advance, note any allergies or sensitivities and report them to appropriately qualified personnel. Working from continuity notes, and overseen by senior staff, they wash, blow-dry, style and set hair, apply hair products, and use specialised techniques to create the necessary look. They assist in maintaining the continuity of their character during the shoot, standing by to touch-up, comb and spray hair, and adjust wigs and toupees between takes. . If senior staff members are unable to standby on set for their characters, Assistant Hairdressers take over their Artist Bag and notes, and standby in their stead. When the shoot is over they may help with any publicity shots.

Typical career routes
Assistant Hairdressers may move into feature films from commercials, fashion or television, or they may have entered the department as Trainees, progressing to become Assistant Hairdressers. After several years in this role, they may become Hairdressers working on larger and more complex productions. Progress through the department is usually based on skills and experience, which is acquired by on the job training, while assisting established Hairdressers. Dailies work on a day to day basis normally on crowd scenes, and this may provide good experience for new entrants.  

Essential knowledge and skills
Assistant Hairdressers must be self-assured, without appearing over-confident. Good communication skills, diplomacy, the ability to cope with stress, and a positive attitude are paramount, as they work long hours in a pressurized, often cramped environment, as part of a team. They must be keen to help, and as part of their work involves learning from more experienced professionals they should able to accept direction and constructive criticism. The work can be physically demanding, as it involves many hours of standing or bending over Actors.

Assistant Hairdressers 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 skills and flexibility are essential, as is the keen eye for detail needed to assist with continuity. Under supervision they must be able to break down scripts in terms of hair plots, and need an understanding of story structure and character. They should have an understanding of the research process, and know how to source information.

A familiarity with period hairstyles and general knowledge of contemporary looks is vital. They need the artistic and technical skills, and manual dexterity, necessary to execute styles, using various products and techniques, as directed by the Designer or Chief Hairdresser. Language skills are helpful for foreign shoots, where the team may include local hairdressers. All members of the Hairdressing Department are expected to have their own kits.

Key Skills include:

• hairdressing skills including: cutting, waving, straightening, colouring, perming, setting, applying extensions, braiding, shaving;
• altering, setting, dressing, and applying wigs and hairpieces;
• 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, especially when dealing with different substances, materials, and scalp reactions.

Training and qualifications
Assistant Hairdressers entering the film industry need NVQ/ SVQs in Hairdressing at levels 1, 2 and 3. They may have achieved these by attending a full or part-time course, or by applying to a salon as a Trainee and attending college on day release. Short course vocational qualifications are also available at levels 2 and 3. As it is essential that all Hairdressing personnel keep up to date with new methods and materials, further qualifications may be acquired by attending specialist, industry approved short courses. Experience of working in theatre or with wig makers is extremely useful.

Assistant Hairdressers must compile and maintain a portfolio of their work. At all levels, personality and the right attitude are extremely important. Good computer skills (Mac and PC), and a full EU driving license are advantageous.

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.
• Stage Screen and Radio
• Screen International
• The Hairdressers Journal
• Fashions in Hair - Richard Corson ISBN: 0720610931
• Illustrated Dictionary of Hairdressing and Wig Making: James Stevens Cox ASIN: B0000CNAES

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Assistant Hairdresser - Film Job Profile

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