Make-Up and Hair Assistant - Film & TV
Make–up and Hair Assistants work on feature films and in television on commercials, pop promos, corporate productions, light entertainment programmes, documentary dramas, etc. They must be proficient in both make–up and hair techniques. 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 and Hair Assistants combine the duties of the Assistant Make–up Artist and the Assistant Hairdresser into one role. They are responsible to Make–up and Hair Artists, Chiefs and/or Designers.
Their responsibilities vary depending on the size of the production. If there are no Make–up and Hair 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 Make–up and Hair Assistants may be given responsibility for make–up and hair for minor or principal characters. Make–up and Hair Assistants are employed during pre–production and 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?
Increased multi–skilling in the UK film and television industries has meant that personnel are required to be proficient in both make–up and hair, and the departments are often merged. Make–up and Hair Assistants may be involved in the set–up and maintenance of the make–up and 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 make–up and hair kit between buses or locations. They help Make–up and Hair Artists in their work: handing them brushes or products, helping to affix prosthetics, washing performers' hair, helping to alter, repair and dress wigs and toupees, running errands, and making sure that performers are well looked after.
Make–up and Hair Assistants are involved in crowd days: preparing facilities, working on the make–up and hair 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 and scalp in advance, and make sure that any allergies or sensitivities are taken into consideration and reported to the relevant senior team member. Working from continuity notes, and overseen by senior staff, they apply make–up and style hair. They may also apply special effects make–up, such as grazes, cuts and bruises, and work on facial hair, bald caps and wigs. They oversee the continuity of their character during the shoot, standing by to touch–up make–up and hair 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, Make–up and Hair Assistants 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
Make–up and Hair Assistants 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 Make–up and Hair Assistants. After several years in this role, they may become Make–up and Hair 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 and Hair Artists. Dailies work on a day to day basis normally on crowd scenes, and this may provide good experience for new entrants. Make–up and Hair Assistants should maintain a portfolio of their work, and keep all letters and witness testimonies as evidence of their work and experience.
Essential knowledge and skills
Make–up and Hair Assistants must be self–assured, without appearing over–confident. They must be able to accept direction and constructive criticism, as part of their work involves learning from more experienced professionals. 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. Make–up and Hair Assistants 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 hair and make–up, and contemporary looks.
Make–up and Hair Assistants should have a basic understanding of scripts, and how to break them down for make–up and hair purposes. They must understand the research process, and know how to source information. A familiarity with period make–up and hairstyles, and general knowledge of contemporary looks are assets. Make–up and Hair Assistants 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 hair and make–up styles and effects. Language skills may be helpful for foreign shoots, where the team may include local Make–up and Hairdressing personnel. All members of the Make–up and Hair Department are expected to have their own basic kits. Consumables, including wigs, facial hair, etc., are supplied by production companies.
Key Skills include:
- hairdressing skills including: cutting, styling, waving, straightening, non–chemical colouring, setting, applying extensions, braiding, shaving; dressing and applying wigs and hairpieces;
- 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 Make–up and Hair Assistants should have achieved at least a Level 2 vocational qualification or equivalent in Media Make–up, and a level 2–3 NVQ in Hairdressing or the equivalent of two years experience. Make–up and Hair Assistants may achieve 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. Their qualifications must include both Make–up and Hairdressing components. As it is essential that all Make–up and Hair 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 a theatre or wig makers is also advantageous. At all levels, personality and the right attitude are extremely important. A full EU driving licence is essential.
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
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 Hair – Richard CorsonISBN: 0720610931
- 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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