1. Qualifications Needed:
You need practical experience as it can help build a portfolio of work to
show employers. You could gain this through:
• amateur theatre
• student film, theatre and photography projects
• charity or student fashion shows
• working with established make-up artists and photographers
Skills required you’ll need:
• creativity and imagination
• good communication and people skills
• a tactful manner
• stamina, patience and concentration
• the ability to work well under pressure
• excellent attention to detail
Your day-to-day duties may include:
• researching and designing make-up and hairstyles
• working to production designers' notes and instructions
• tidying and styling hair
• using special effects make-up
• taking notes and photos for reference
• being on set to redo make-up and hair
• removing make-up and keeping wigs and hairpieces in good
condition
How will you be paid? / Working Environments
You’ll usually work on a freelance basis and be paid a fee for each
contract.
Rates will depend on the type of production you’re working on and what
you can negotiate. Long and irregular hours are common. You may start
in the early morning before filming begins, or work in the evenings for
live TV, theatre or concerts.
You’ll work in TV or film studios, theatres, or in temporary buildings and
vehicles on location. You may need to travel and stay away from home
regularly, sometimes for long periods.
You’ll need to build up your own make-up kit and take it to each job.
How to get a job at Theatrical Productions
2. You could also get a job as a theatrical make-up artist through an
apprenticeship or doing a makeup qualification at collage.
Doing an apprenticeship can get you into the industry quicker, learning
as you work alongside the people in the production.
Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels.
The average qualifications you will need would be 5 GCSE passes at
A*-C to get a placement. In my opinion if you wanted to do this career,
an apprenticeship would be the better choice as it would get you straight
into working with the production at a young age.
You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at
school. To start one, you’ll need to be:
◦ 16 or over
◦ not in full-time education
How to apply
There are 3 steps to applying for an apprenticeship.
1 Search for an apprenticeship.
2 Sign in or create an account.
3 Complete and submit your application.
Getting makeup qualifications at collage is also another good way.
It may be a longer process but you can gain good experience in a
great learning environment.
