Assistant Make-up Artists work on feature films and on some commercials, and are responsible to Make-up Artists, and Chief Make-up Artists and/or Designers.  Their responsibilities vary depending on the size of the production.  If there are no Make-up Trainees on a film, Assistants assume their duties and the work involves setting up workstations, assisting senior staff, and working on crowd scenes.  However, on smaller productions Assistant Make-up Artists may be given responsibility for make-up for minor or principal characters.  Assistant Make-up Artists are employed during production, and sometimes during pre-production.  They 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 Make-up Artists may be involved in the set-up and maintenance of the make-up 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 make-up kit between buses or locations. They help Make-up Artists in their work: handing them brushes or products, helping to affix prosthetics, running errands, and making sure that performers are well looked after. 

Assistant Make-up Artists are involved in crowd days: preparing facilities, working on the make-up of large numbers of extras, and standing by on set to maintain continuity.  They may be given responsibility for minor or principal characters.  They prepare the performer's skin in advance, note any allergies or sensitivities and report them to appropriately qualified personnel.  Working from continuity notes, and overseen by senior staff, they apply make-up. They may also apply special effects make-up, such as grazes, cuts and bruises.  They oversee the continuity of their character during the shoot, standing by to touch-up make-up between takes, and assist in making sure that continuity notes are updated using digital or polaroid photographs.  If senior staff members are unable to stand by on set for their characters, Assistant Make-up Artists take over their Artist Bag and notes, and stand by in their stead.  When the shoot is over they may help with any publicity shots.

Typical career routes
Assistant Make-up Artists may have worked in a related field such as theatre, fashion or commercials, or they may have entered the department as Trainees, progressing to become Assistant Make-up Artists.  After several years in this role, they may become Make-up Artists 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 Make-up Artists.  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 Make-up Artists must be self-assured, without appearing over-confident.  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 ability to cope with stress, and a positive attitude are paramount, as they work long hours in pressurised, often cramped environments.  The work can be physically demanding, as it involves many hours of standing or bending over Actors.  Assistant 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 skills and flexibility are essential, as is the keen eye for detail needed to oversee continuity.  They must understand the research process, and should be familiar with both period make-up, and contemporary looks. 

Assistant Make-up Artists should have a basic understanding of scripts, and how to break them down for make-up purposes.  They must understand the research process, and know how to source information.  A familiarity with period make-up and general knowledge of contemporary looks are assets.   Assistant Make-up Artists should be able to understand the overall look of the production and re-create it.  They need a good eye for colour, and should be familiar with (although not necessarily expert at using) different make-up products and application techniques. 

They should understand the anatomy of the human skull and facial muscle structure.  They must have the artistic and technical skills, and manual dexterity, necessary for the achievement 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 basic kits.  Consumables, including facial hair, specialist products, etc., are supplied by production companies.

Key Skills include:

• make-up skills including: straight corrective; glamour/fashion and period make-up; character make-up; assisting in ageing faces, and body parts; death make-up; and some special effects make-up, including lacerations, bruising, burns, bullet wounds, skin diseases; tattoos and body-painting; dressing and applying facial and other false hair;
• 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 Assistant Make-up Artists should have achieved at least a Level 2 vocational qualification or equivalent in Media Make-up, and a level 2-3 NVQ in Make-up or the equivalent of two years experience.  Assistant Make-up Artists may achieve these by attending a full or part-time course.  Short course vocational qualifications are also available at levels 2 and 3.  As it is essential that all Make-up personnel 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.  Assistant Make-up Artists must compile and maintain a portfolio of their work.  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

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Assitant Make-Up Artist - Film 

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