Makeup Artist Research

Research About Makeup Artists in the Makeup Heirarchy

In theatre hierarchy there a 6 roles. From bottom to the top the hierarchy starts at;

• Swing - Comes in and covers holidays or sickness days.
• Trainee/ Junior - These people are still in training but understand the tracks and plots while covering sickness days and holidays
• Assistant Wig/ Makeup Artist- There are normally 1 - 3 or possibly more on set. Each of these complete different aspects of the plot. Theses usually work on different people/ talents
• Deputy head of wigs and makeup- second in charge, they take charge of the show when the head of department is off. They do their own thing, this usually means making up principle characters
• The Head of Department for Wigs and Makeup - This are also known as a 'Wig Mistress' These are in charge of everyone and make sure everything runs smoothly. They decide who does what and manage the stock as well as organises the shift rota
• The Wigs and Makeup designer/ Supervisor - They oversee and is in charge of the whole show. They do not work on the show but will come in when necessary.

The following paragraph will expand on the role of a makeup artist in theatre.

A makeup artist in theatre will assess the talents skin type on a daily basis to ensure that the makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations. The makeup artist also cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application. A makeup artist is responsible  for visually transforming people's appearance via make-up, paint, wigs and other accessories. The makeup artists also work together to break down the script to then further create moodboards, makeup designs and hair designs. After theses designs are perfected and given the pass by the director the makeup artist then creates the prosthetics and style the wigs before the show. During the running of the show the makeup artists are then responsible for creating the same look and maintaining that look under the blistering hot stage lights. They are also responsible for maintaing the wigs and prosthetics.

More experienced makeup artists can earn anywhere from £170 to £320 for ten-hour day.

Kate Griffiths is an example of a makeup artist that has worked in a theatre setting. Kate has work closely with a number of extremely talented professional actors as well and her links with theatre producers in London
Her latest theatrical project was in London with Aiden Crowley at the Baron's Court Theatre. Below is an example of the makeup she completed there.

In film hierarchy there are 8 different roles. These roles are;

• Makeup Designer - These people break down the script, create moodboards and design the makeup.
• Personal Makeup Artist - These people usually work with high profile talent. They often have a long lasting relationship with these talents. They usually understand the makeup requirements and the process goes through when working on a film
• Makeup Supervisor - These people work closely with the makeup designer as their right-hand man/woman. They take responsibility for budget, hiring of staff, schedule, ordering consumables and products as well as running the department.
• Makeup Artists - These people would be working under the makeup designer while also being thoroughly breifed and prepped. Working on set they accompanying the actor they have been assigned to or dealing with extra talent.
• Makeup artist assistants - They are usually let loose to work on the crowd scenes. They also assist the makeup artist with more complicated processes.
• Special effects makeup artist. - Theses are trained for this particular job. These people do anything containing special effects this includes prosthetics and animatronics.
• Wig and hair specialist - These people create and maintain the wigs. They will also style the hair of the talent
• 'Daily MUAs' - These people usually work on crowd scenes or days with a tight shooting schedule. These people are either new to working in the makeup industry or are a less known free lance makeup artist.

The following paragraph will expand on the role of a makeup artist in the film industry.

A makeup artist in the film industry are usually assigned tasks by their superiors, these people are the makeup supervisor and the makeup designer. The makeup artist will be fully prepped and breifed before hitting the makeup room/ trailer. Alot of the time MUAs are assigned to work with a particular talent or a few different talents depending on the size of the production and how many makeup artists have been hired. 

Film makeup artists usually have a weekly wage of £500 to £800 a week depending on the size of the production.

Ve Neill is an example of a makeup artist that has worked in film and tv. One of the most famous projects she has worked on would be The Hunger Games where she helped to plan the makeup as well as complete the varies makeup looks on the cast. Ve Neill is widely known for doing the makeup for Effie Trinket. Heres is an example of this makeup.