How to Become a Good Make-Up Artist

Jo Ballard-Knight aka JBK
Make-up Artists are key members of any production team. They work across multiple disciplines, ranging from trend to music to commercials and films.
Jo Ballard-Knight aka JBK
In any video or film, each hair and make-up are a significant factor. A superb Make-up Artist could very easily transform a modern man into a Victorian woman in a snap; or a worn out support artist into a supermodel! It won't be too much to say that they possess a magical brush that could change the destiny of any regular Joe.

Not surprisingly, they tend to be the initial port of call for any cast member. This initially meeting with the talent is really important mainly because it sets the tone for the shoot. A great Make-up Artist can gauge the nerves and do his bit to relax them. It's all the more important when the shoot involves shedding inhibitions or clothes in a d�but or a nude scene.

Often a Make-up Artist acts as a confidante, playing the part of a sounding board for the talent. You could quickly think of them as currently being in the counsellor's chair in addition to their own. Opposite to popular beliefs, Make-up Artists never just slap-on the make-up; they are knowledgeable in just about every manner of production and know what is required. They adapt quickly to the needs of their shopper, from time to time working at a minute's notice.

Professional make-up artists go through the script and shot list for the day in advance, just so they can evaluate timings and any alternative actions that may be needed.

Some make-up types may require a hefty quantity of time, for instance the prosthetic make-up usually takes four or more hours. Their role is also important as the administrators and producers are frequently active with the shoot and only get to look with the talent when they arrive from the green room. Getting the look right is thus, that much more important!

When a sophisticated set-up is involved, such as period drama wasp waist corsets, beehive hair styles, wigs and white faces; the Make-up Artist would element all of this into their proposal for the team to play about.

An excellent make-up artist would offer shelter to the talent from all of the madness going close to on the set, in the comforts of the green room. They cannot get involved in all the ruckus as any mistake on their part would mean wiping every one of the make-up off and starting all over all over again.

Once their work is accepted on the set, they continue to pamper up the actors working under hot lights. Constant action sequences or repeated improvements in weather lead to periodic make-up changes also. A good Make-up Artist takes the heat off the director.

When it is a sizable shoot, the Chief Make-up Artist would work with the top stars and others in the section work with the solid. Sometimes, they might just be implementing make-up to an infinite stream of extras without setting their foot on the set.

There may be times when they are brought in as consultants on previous projects they have worked, along with other times they might just be focussing on blood and guts in the prosthetic department.

However on smaller shoots, Make-up Artists share more responsibility and are more deeply involved in the real filming. They may have to meet with the production team and work closely together with them on the overall look and feel of the project, or help decide on third party suppliers for things such as prosthetics.

They not only help with the make-up part, but additionally are responsible for resourceful inputs to the director. They also remain aware about any allergy symptoms that the subjects may have and ensure that they really don't affect the software process.

Make-up Artists go from making a look to touch up to making yet another look, all in a span of hours on the set. They are normally involved and never too fast paced to get a quick perking up of the artist.