Have you always dreamed of a career as a makeup artist for film and TV? Can you pick out a hair or makeup continuity mistake from a mile away when you are watching your favourite show? While the days are usually long onset, it will also be the place where you meet some of the most amazing cast and crew who are at the peak of their game.
Training or preparing to get into the world of film and TV makeup can seem daunting, so here are some tips to get you started, and set you on track to get your foot in the door!
Find your inspiration
Inspiration can be found everywhere. The world is your oyster when it comes to inspiration; it can be found in textures, colour palettes, art, fashion, nature, poetry, the list goes on.
Sometimes the most exciting ideas come from unexpected places. What kind of makeup inspires you? Have there been certain films or television shows where the makeup has stood out to you? Are there particular artists whose work you admire?
Do your research
If there are particular artists you like, research their body of work, how they started, who they have worked with, do they have masterclasses you can attend? If there was a film or television series in which the makeup inspired you, research who the makeup team was.
Who was the Head of Department, the senior stylists, the fabricators? Follow them on social media, check out their websites, or sign up for their newsletter. If they hold masterclasses go and learn from the people whose career you aspire for!
Study
Find a makeup course or school that specialises in makeup for Film and TV. Do your research and find a school near you that offers courses in the style of makeup you are interested in.
Learn from industry experts and gain the skills and techniques needed to break into the industry. You want to make sure that it is the right fit for you and that you are going to leave feeling confident in your ability to step into the film and TV industry.
Practice, Practice, Practice
It may sound cliche, but the practice is the only way you are going to get better. You need to be constantly honing your skills and striving to improve your technique and efficiency. The makeup world is forever changing, so it is important to stay on top of the latest products, techniques and trends to make sure you are up to industry standard.
Reach out and put yourself out there
Once you have some of the basic skills under your belt, it’s time to start putting yourself out there! If there are artists you would love to work with, send them an email asking to assist them. The worst they can say is no. Assisting is a great way to get your foot in the industry.
It is also a great opportunity to learn from senior artists, get a lay of the land on set, find out who’s who, who you need to know and where your place is on set. Being a makeup artist relies solely on your own motivation to book work and maintain clients so you will need to build your confidence and apply for the jobs you are interested in.
If you feel ready to take the next step, start your research and look into a Diploma of Screen & Media in specialist makeup services today! With campuses in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney as well as online, you could start your new career today from anywhere in Australia!
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