SET LIFE Q & A

ANSWER: COMMUNICATION  maintaining clear and effective communication with the production to ensure everyone is on the same page especially with the UPM, director, production supervisor,  talent (actor) and your makeup team to achieve a cohesive and polished final product. 

FLEXIBILITY is crucial due to the ever-changing conditions and unpredictable nature of filming environments. Unlike a stationery studio, location work requires adapting to various settings, lighting conditions, and time constraints. Artists must be prepared to improvise with limited resources, work in unconventional spaces, and swiftly adjust to last- minute changes or requests from directors, producers & actors. 

TIME MANAGEMENT and the ABILITY TO STAY CALM UNDER PRESSURE ensuring makeup applications remain flawless and on schedule, contributing significantly to the overall success of the day to day production timeline. 

CREATIVITY Bringing a creative vision to life and finding innovative solutions to achieve the desired look, especially when creating unique character designs or special effects makeup. 

TECHNICAL SKILL Mastery of various makeup techniques and familiarity with a wide range of products and tools to create professional and lasting results. 

TEAMWORK Collaborating effectively with other departments, such as the costume department  and hair department (makeup and hair are separate departments on film and tv productions only sometimes on commercials) to create a cohesive look for each character and overall scene.

ORGANIZATION Keeping makeup/hair kits well organized, clean, sanitized and stocked with quality products to ensure efficiency and prevent delays or mistakes during application. Maintaining basic accounting practices for invoicing clients/running your independent contractor business is a must.

PROFESSIONALISM Maintaining a professional attitude and demeanor, respecting the roles and contributions of all team members and adhering to the standards and protocol which may slightly vary from production to production.  

ANSWER: The Products in a Makeup artist kit should be from well-established brands known for quality ingredients and performance to ensure not only upholding the makeup longevity throughout the shooting day, but also safe and free from harsh chemicals thus reducing the risk of skin irritation or allergic reactions for the talent (actors).  Some of my personal favorite brands are Viseart- these products are highly pigmented and easily blendable with outstanding wearablity.  Visiora, Armani and RCMA Foundations are great for all media types. The formulas mimic pixels and are easily buildable for more skin coverage.  MAC and Makeup Forever have always treated the Makeup Artist well-they cater to our needs and have excellent pigmented products and color range.  Artist kits are filled with all different brands and products not one kit is made up of only one brand.

ANSWER: Typically the Artist starts their career with their own products and tools kept within an enclosed makeup bag. As time goes on and one books more jobs the production may give you permission to purchase specific items needed for that job -in some cases provided there is product remaining and it is sanitary you will be able keep product and add into your kit for the next job. When you are on a larger budget Film or TV show for its entirety sometimes 2-4 months The Makeup Department provides the majority of what is needed for the characters through the production budget, brand gratis and promotions.  Your tools ie: Makeup Brushes, Irons, Hair Dryers, Shavers, Bags, Wagon, Set Chair are all part of your overhead thus not provided.  It is up to you to maintain your kit with the utmost cleanliness, respect for your clients safety and your reputation is imperative. A kit rental is a fee added to your dayrate A kit rental is paid for the rental of our tools necessary to get the job done-it is not to buy more product or expendables for the job its a payment to help you ,maintain your tools ie replace brushes or an iron or a case etc. The production is supposed to pay for items called "disposables" like tissue, brush cleaner, paper towels, disposable mascara spoolies,  etc

ANSWER: DEPARTMENT HEAD MAKEUP  This person is the lead makeup artist on the production. They are responsible for designing the makeup looks for all characters, ensuring consistency and coherence of the look throughout the production, Applying makeup to the main actors/actresses, hiring the makeup crew, works closely with the director, costume designers and other departments to ensure the makeup complements the overall aesthetic of the production, attend production meetings, create budgets for the manpower, products needed for the characters and scheduling.

KEY MAKEUP ARTIST  This person is the Department Head's right hand throughout the production. They maintain a balance between the Department Head and the crew, apply makeup to the main actors and actresses as well as keep the trailer running smoothly, make schedules, order product, great organizational skills are required.  

3RD MAKEUP ARTIST  This person can be full time or work on days where an extra makeup artist is needed for main cast. 

ADDITIONAL/DAY PLAYER This person is called to work on bigger shoot days when a lot of "Background Extras" are scheduled.

 2ND UNIT DEPARTMENT HEAD OR KEY MAKEUP This person runs the 2nd UNIT makeup crew while the main unit is filming simultaneously at another location.  2nd Unit is where all of the action sequences happen, using some of the main actors and stunt doubles who are needed in complex action scenes-this saves production time.

ANSWER: DIRECTOR-This person is the creative leader responsible for interpreting the script, guiding the actors performances making decisions about the visual and sound elements and collaborating with all departments to bring the visual to life.

PRODUCER- This person is responsible for overseeing the production from inception to its completion They secure funding, hire the cast and crew, manage the budget, schedule, contracts, logistics and they ensure the project is completed on time.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER -This person(s) put up the money to start the production and will oversee project mostly from a distance 

DP (DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY or CINEMATOGRAPHER)-This person works closely with the director to achieve the visual style and mood by selecting the camera, lenses, lighting and framing of the shots. Their role includes operating the camera, planning shots & overseeing the camera crew.