POSITIONS IN THE MAKEUP DEPARTMENT? (In the Entertainment industry.)

Make Up Department / Photo Credit: A to Z Theatrical Supply and Service

POSITIONS IN THE MAKEUP DEPARTMENT? (In the Entertainment industry.)

Bruce Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.

POSITIONS IN THE MAKEUP DEPARTMENT?

The responsibilities of a movie make-up artist vary depending on the type of work and level of responsibility that the make-up artist has. Hollywood union regulations, for example, classify movie make-up artists based on the area of the actor's body being made up.

The key make-up artist, or make-up designer, is in charge of the make-up department for a movie. During pre-production, the designer reads the script and meets with the director and screenwriter to discuss their needs and ideas for the film. The key make-up artist also will work with the key hair designer, costume designer, set designer and director of lighting throughout the film.

Makeup designer: Hired in pre-production the makeup designer will break down the script and takes some time to get to know the characters. If the film is set in an explicit decade, they will research the period and the type of makeup used. Art, Costume and Makeup Departments all have a degree of crossover and are required to implement a shared vision when it comes to style, color and texture. The makeup designer collaborates closely with these departments to complete the overall look for a character. While the production designer will have a color schemes and textures they would like the Costume Department to incorporate, the costume designer may wish to discuss how the look of the character is reflected in their makeup. As well as being a skilled makeup artist, the designer will be a skilled negotiator and collaborator.

Makeup supervisor: Working closely with the makeup designer as their right-hand man/woman. The makeup supervisor takes responsibility for budget, hiring of staff, schedule, ordering consumables and products, and running the department from an administrative point of view.

Makeup artist(s): MUAs will be working under the direction of the designer, being thoroughly briefed and prepped before hitting the makeup room/trailer on the first day of shooting. MUAs will also be working on set, accompanying the actor they have been assigned to or dealing with the extra talent. 

Personal makeup artists: Often high profile actors and actresses will have a longstanding relationship with a makeup artist, who understands not only their makeup requirements but the process the actor goes through when working on a film. Actors spend their careers having people fuss over their faces; working with one dedicated MUA can be a preferred option.

Assistant makeup artist(s): Once you are working as a makeup assistant you will be let loose with your makeup bag and brushes on crowd scenes, and assist the MUAs in more complicated processes. Again, expect to work for three to five years as an assistant before making yourself available as a full makeup artist on big budget features.

Dependent on the production, specialist makeup artists are brought in such as:

Special effects makeup artist: Anything involving prosthetics or animatronics will come into the remit of the special effects MUA, and the SFX team. This is a very exact job that will require years of training. If you are looking to specialize in SFX, there are courses you can take while working as a MUA, to help progress your career? The best course of action would be to find an SFX makeup artists to train under, as you will need hands on experience.

Body makeup artist: There are occasions when actors or models need to reveal their bodies, tattoos, veins, stretch marks, age spots or general skin discolorations’ may need to be corrected. Specialized body makeup artist will come in for the day; their work includes body painting also. 

Wig and hair specialist/stylists (if there isn’t a separate department). If you're not working on a big budget feature, you are going to be styling hair.  If working on a period drama, the designer may decide to bring in a hair specialist to work with the wigs.

‘Daily’ MUAs are brought in for crowd scenes or days with a tight shooting schedule. They usually bring their own kit and will either be allocated a workstation in the makeup room or be working out in the holding area.

The more time you spend practicing makeup application, the more proficient you'll become. Alongside your portfolio (make sure to document your work on every project, when working as a trainee get permission from the supervisor first) you will also be creating a network as your career progresses, your network is the best way to generate future work.

You can expect to be working for two years as a trainee, during which time you can decide if you want to specialize or keep it general. Make sure you work in as many mediums as your time will allow, not limiting yourself to one sector of the industry at this stage means you will have more opportunities for employment, and more opportunity to build connections and experience. Your career path, if you decide to keep it general can have you working your way from trainee to assistant, up to make-up artist and if you continue to work in film supervisor and designer.

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, Careers Hub, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Blurb, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Chron, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, How Stuff Works, WGA, BBC, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Bright Hub, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Production Beast, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, UCAS, Frankenbite, Realty 101, Liberty Me, Careers Hub, Sokanu, Raindance, Film Connection, My Job Search, Prospects,

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Make Up Department / Photo Credit: A to Z Theatrical Supply and Service