I am a professional makeup artist for film and television.
I fell in love with makeup artistry during my theater experience
in high school. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara, I attended
Joe Blasco Makeup Artistry's professional 14 week makeup/special
effects course. There I learned everything form general beauty
makeup, old age, injury simulation, to mechanical prosthetics.
I didn't really have a mentor, nor did Ikon a single person in
the entertainment industry. I kept in touch with Joe Blasco for
job leads with student films and low budget projects to build
my resume and meet people in the business.
My very first project came to me while I was still attending Joe
Blasco. It was a student film with the USC film school. The student
film required me to age an actor and make him look sickly and
near death. I only worked one afternoon, but the student director
gave my name to a classmate, and he called me to work on his full
project a few months later.
My first big project was a French film, "Reston Groupes,"
about one year into my career. This film ended up being a big
turning point for me because this film allowed me to join the
makeup and hair union, local 706. It was a 7 week job, 5 of which
were on the road to death valley, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon.
It was a big script to breakdown, with a lot of action. I learned
how to maintain continuity, breakdown a script, and work in not-so-desirable,
desolate locations. All in all this film was a lot of fun, a great
learning experience, and a definite mile marker.
I am going to describe my typical day as a make-up artist on episodic
television, which I am working on right now, currently Boston
Public. My call time ranges anywhere from 5:45am to 6:45am Monday
thru Friday. In the morning I do makeup for the actors that are
in the first scene of the day. At 7am the actors go to set for
a blocking rehearsal and come back to us for finishing touches
when they are done. Between 7:30 and 8am the set is lit and ready
to film.
If I am not getting actors for the second scene ready, I will
go to set and maintain the makeup on the actors while we film
to first scene. There is a lot of down time while the cameras
and lighting move and set up different angles for the scenes.
During these times I will break down the next script, create continuity
notes, do busy work in the trailer, or , if I am lucky to have
everything else completed, do leisure reading.
This process is repeated all day, about 12 hours, or until we
are done filming the scheduled work for the day. We do get a one
hour lunch break around 1pm in which we can leave the studios.
I will typically have 3-4 actors that I take care of throughout
the day.
In pre-production the days are less structured, and more on my
own schedule. I typically meet with actors to discuss special
make-up needs or preferences, shop for make-up supplies, production
meeting with directors, assistant directors, and/or producers
to discuss special needs and concerns for makeup that the script
may call for (injures, prosthetics, flashbacks etc.), loading
all supplies in to the trailer, hiring the makeup crew. Films
often have makeup tests with actors so the production can okay
a particular look for the character.
In post, I generally organize continuity photos and notes to be
turned into the production, and break down and unload the trailer,
and then look for my next job!
Some character research may be involved, or research of a period
if the project takes place in another era. Prep would include
gathering all needed materials and make-up effects. Makeup tests
are commoner makeup effects (injures, aging) and often for leading
actors in big films. This involves applying different makeup looks
on the actors until all elements for the needs of the producers/directors/actors/me.
Since I am currently working in episodic TV about a high school
faculty, the majority of my work in general beauty makeup. In
this case, keeping up with current trends in makeup is the research
I do, most of it coming from fashion magazines.
The toughest part of being a makeup artist, especially in episodic
television would be the hours, day after day, for 10 months. It
doesn't lend itself to having much of a social life and it takes
a physical toll on the body to maintain these hours, always feeling
tired. Although I haven't had any bad experiences (knock on wood)
spending this much time confined to the trailer with many different
personalities can be trying on ones patience and sanity.
The most rewarding aspect of my job is to see my work on screen.
There are several times a week that I shake my head in disbelief
that I am so lucky to be making a living doing an artistic craft
that I love to do. Coming to LA and not knowing a soul, I wouldn't
have believed that I could be where I am today in such a short
amount of time.
I think my favorite job was the last movie I worked on before
starting Boston Public. While I absolutely love my current job,
the movie, "pretty when she cries" was very kick back,
and all the crew members and actors were always having fun and
enjoying every minute.
I had never felt more respected and appreciated. I think what
makes it stand out was the numerous opportunities to create characters
with make-up. There were several small parts that were full of
possibilities. My boss was the most inspiring of all I've had,
and I learned a great deal about opening up my creativity in make-up
and going for it.
I advise them to go to a makeup school (Joe Blasco, Westmore,
MUDD to name a few) and get a basic knowledge, a basic kit, and
a better understanding of the business side of Hollywood. Take
lots of pictures of all your work and create a portfolio. Always
be pleasant and professional.
Be a team player, all crew members are working toward the same
goal. And don't be afraid to call people, keep in touch with those
you've met, and even inquire about jobs in job listings. It really
is a lot about who you know.
Keep a good record of your paystubs, you may have enough hours
to join the union, but they won't invite you in if you cannot
prove it. A lot of people out there want to do what you do. Try
to find something that makes you stand out above the rest.
Find that area of make-up that you excel in. Don't give up. Set
goals and limits for yourself, and be realistic, some people discover
they are really meant to do something else and don't want to waste
anymore time or money before they get to doing it. However, don't
be discouraged, you have to knock on a lot of doors.
Work on as many student films as you can, it's a good way to meet
your future employers. Try working on student films from AFI,
UCLA, and USC film schools to get some experience being on a set,
and doing the job.
Meet as many makeup artist as you can, and if they give you their
card, keep in touch, you never know when someone may need help
for one day on a show and that one day can lead you to meeting
new people who create more work for you in the future.
Computers help retouch photos, and it's do-it-yourself with digital
cameras today. You can also access a wealth of resource information
on the Internet, from product information and ordering, to period
or era research.
Many artist, including myself (www.gomakeupartist.com),
have created a web site where our resume, services, and portfolio
are accessible to anyone with online capabilities.
At this point, I feel like the only thing that could improve this
job would be job security. One of the scariest parts of this job
is the constant searching for work, constant interviewing, constant
competing with other artists to make a living. And even when you
land a job, you are still just a "daily" employee and
are susceptible to losing it.
It is definitely important to keep organized in my personal life.
Since there is nor much time outside of work, bills can easily
get forgotten, as well as friendships. I have set up my own system
for maintaining responsibility, but before long productions, I
try and get together with each of my friends and make trips to
see my family, as keeping in touch gets very difficult while working
60 + hours a week.
This is a great question. I have been very fortunate to have always
gotten along with the other makeup artists and hair stylists in
the trailer. People who are not very forgiving, or compromising,
often find themselves in miserable working environments.
I have always been an optimistic person, but even a few years
ago I made a resolution to maintain positively in all aspects
of my life. It takes a lot of work, and I still work at it today,
but life is so much better when you can see the good in things.
It is important to remember that everyone, just like you, has
bad days, where their tolerances are weak, and to remember not
to hold grudges or judge people by them.
On days when I may not be able to tolerate a difficult personality,
I maintain my calm professionalism and do my best to get through
the circumstance with dignity and resolutions everyone can live
with.
I have learned something from every makeup artist I have worked
with. Whether it has been big or small, I have walked away more
knowledgeable. An I think I will continue to learn new tricks,
or things about the business for the rest of my career. It is
a good goal to try to pick the brain of anyone in your field,
young or old.
The first screening I saw happened to be the first student film
I had worked on. It was exciting and educational all at the same
time. I felt proud, again in disbelief of what I actually do for
a living, sometimes embarrassed when I caught a small mistake
on my part, but giddy mostly when I saw my name rising in the
end credits. What a great feeling!
A project is actually over a few days after wrap. I pack up the
trailer, take my supplies home, and spend the next few days cleaning
and organizing their storage for easy access on the next job.
My friends, and especially my family, have supported me 100 percent.
The most helpful were all the words of encouragement went jobs
were few and far between, and I was doubting myself and my career.
I think I would have given up had they not been so convincing
in their words.
I would very much like to work in sitcoms. I hope I have the opportunity
to create a new chapter in my career in that area.
I often do makeup for weddings when I am not working in film or
TV. On the non-working side, I love to travel, ski, swim, run,
lounge on the beach, take photographs, and learn new things. My
most recent adventure is scuba diving, which I have fallen in
love with!
