Unit 8-Production for Theatre Performance

The role I will be researching into is the role of a make-up artist in relation to theatrical and other genres. I will explore the many roles and responsibilities of make-up artists, the current range of jobs going in the industry for make-up artists and also the importance of the job and who requires them. I also will discuss the certain roles and responsibilities I need to personally follow during the upcoming Arley Hall performance.

Firstly one very important role of a make-up artist is communicating with clients to finalize visual requirements. This is an important responsibility as it ensures a happy and satisfied client witch as well as creating an impressive visual product on performers, also means a good relationship between make-up artist and client that may lead to future jobs. Another very vital role to being a make-up artist is ‘production study’ where make-up artists are required to read the script to ascertain the materials for the look required. Production study is also important to get a better idea of budget implications and identifying areas where further research is required.

Producing and sketching design ideas for hair and make-up is important for make-up artists as it helps create a clear vision for the looks required. It also helps when updating a portfolio of work for future clients, where physical copies of designs can be seen. This is also important with up keeping another responsibility of a make-up artist which is to ensure continuity in hair and makeup for performers. It is also important for make-up artists to demonstrate and implement an understanding of the lighting and how this affects the look of makeup and prosthetics (if applicable).

An extremely important part to a make-up artist’s role is ensuring the highest standard of health and safety for performers for example ensuring the appropriate actions are taken to minimise unpleasant and potentially dangerous side effects from the makeup and hair products used on

performers. This ties in to makeup artists also maintaining an up to date awareness of health and safety issues and legislation within makeup artistry. Where required makeup artists may also have to cast facial and body casts through latex foam, this is known in the industry as prosthetics.

It is also important for makeup artists to fit and maintain wigs and hair pieces where required, they also need a good knowledge of complex and basic hairdressing to complete looks required. One of the most important responsibilities of a makeup artist is to keep an up to date knowledge of available makeup, beauty products and techniques. This is important as it means they are fully trained and knowledgeable about any requirements a client asks.

Time management is a vital part of makeup artistry as is it important to keep a good idea of how long a subject will take to be made-up. This is important to ensure all performers are ready for the correct time. Makeup artists also need to work quickly and accurately under high pressure timed conditions.

In relation to my role for Arley Hall the most important aspects I need to focus on are as follows: to create designs for each performer and piece as there are many different pieces with different starting points and themes meaning all looks will be varied. It is also important for me to research who is required for quick changes as some pieces in the show run back to back meaning there is no time for delays. This is also important as it means some looks will have to be less complicated and heavy than others if they are required to be removed in a short space of time.

As there are many group pieces in Arley Hall continuity of performers is vital, and therefore communication between me and the other makeup artist is important to ensure we are striving towards the same visual product. Again in relation to Arley Hall it is important for me to be in the correct place at the correct time when performers are crossing over into other pieces to ensure to quickest change or removal of makeup possible. I also am required to have makeup wipes and remover on me at all times.

It is also vital for me to have good communication within the Hierarchy with the Wardrobe Mistress Anna Brown as the makeup artists and dressers fall underneath her. We need to ensure we all have a clear understanding on what is required for each performer so that a clear creative goal is met to the highest standard possible to create a professional feel and quality to the Arley Hall performance.

The job prospects of a makeup artist are extremely competitive as there are few and many applicants apply for each single position. Many makeup artist jobs also require prior experience to prove capability and professionalism, as a result of this voluntary work or low paid apprenticeship are becoming increasingly popular. Jobs in makeup artistry can range from theatre, television and film, fashion and also beauty therapy, makeup counters or bridal and occasion makeup and hair. Makeup courses are becoming more and more popular in higher education, whether that is at degree level or in level 3 college courses. There are also many specialists that work with materials such as prosthetics and liquid latex and courses that facilitate the growing demand for makeup that breaks the boundaries of reality.

Makeup artistry is an incredibly important role for performance as it helps complete professionalism and overall visual quality to a performance. It is a role used by a large range of professional theatre companies and performances. It is an industry constantly growing as techniques and materials are increasing vastly.