Want to be a make-up artist?
Wednesday 20 February 2008
Do you have a creative imagination? Make-up is more than just lip gloss and eyeliner. n2k checks out the International Make-Up Artist Trade Show and gives you the low down on how to get into the industry. Watch the video.
Make it up
Make up artists prepare face and body make-up for people appearing in front of a camera or a live audience. The looks a make-up artist might have to create can range from a natural look for TV presenters, to something more challenging like transforming someone into a werewolf for a horror movie.
An important aspect of being a make-up artist is being able to analyse the character of the person being made up. If the make-up is for a film, the artist might do loads of research into the period the film is set, so the make-up is more realistic.
Make-up artists also have to liaise with directors, costume designers, and hairstylists to make sure the make-up complements the rest of the film.
Good look
One of the most difficult things about being a make-up artist is keeping continuity going. This is really important on film shoots where you might have to replicate the same look a few times. Taking pictures can help with this.
The hours can be long and the competition can be fierce but the job is also very rewarding.
Training
The most recognised way of getting into the make-up industry is to do a course in make-up. There are many colleges and universities that have courses in make-up and hair design, UCAS's search engine can help you search for the exact course you want to do. A great but highly competitive place to do make-up is the London College of Fashion, they offer BTEC and degree courses in both make-up and hair design and is a good place to start learning the skills.
There are also private schools that offer intensive courses in make-up and hair design, however these can often be quite pricey so bare fees in mind when looking for a place to learn your stuff! More advice about this can be found at Learn Direct and BBC Blast.
If you are 18 or over you might be able to qualify for an apprenticeship-style programme in make-up from Film and Television Freelance Training (FT2). The BBC Design Trainee Scheme offers placements to set, costume and make-up trainees on a 12 month contract. However, places for these schemes can be limited and very competitive.
Skillset Careers is a useful website that has loads of advice for funding your training as make-up artist.
Work it out
To get a proper feel for the art of a make-up, why not help out at your local beauty salon or even offer your services for school fashion shows and short films? You could also learn the tricks of the trade by helping out with established make-up artists. For more information about vacancies in the industry visit the Connexions website.
All work experience is usually unpaid, but the practice is always good, especially for your CV. Take pictures of your projects, building up your portfolio will help a lot when you start applying for paid jobs.
The IMATS
The International Make-Up and Artist Trade Show was launched in 1997 by Make-Up Artist magazine editor Michael Key, who felt that a show like this could help aspiring make-up artists to gain experience and opportunities.
The 2008 show had loads of stuff to do and watch, such as presentations, products, demonstrations. Most importantly there were talks from some of the biggest names in the industry, including, six time Oscar winner Rick Baker, who worked on The Nutty Professor and Star Wars, and Francesca Tolot whose regular client is Beyonce!
Now, the IMATS, also known as ‘The Show’ to the make-up world is annually attended by thousands of people in both the London and Los Angeles shows. Watch the video.
