The Role Of The Make-up Designer In TV and Film

The make-up designer is responsible for the film or TV make-up budget. Within this budget, decisions will be made about planning and organisation: how many wigs; which stock to purchase; how many assistants to hire; the entire look of hair and make-up.

The make-up designer in pre-production

After days or weeks of preparation - including meetings with the director, costume designer, set designer, and other key crew members - the make-up designer will to have everything ready for the shoot.

Part of the being ready will involve breaking down the script so that make-up is identified for each scene, contacting actors, arranging wig fittings, and sending scripts to the assistants that have hired.

By the time the crew assembles for the shoot, make-up materials will be ordered, wig and facial hair fitted and dressed, any tests needed will be done, and accommodation for the make-up department agreed with the production office.

The pre-production period can be very tough for the make-up designer, especially when time is short and deadlines tight. Actors may be cast - or may be changed - at the last minute and there is always a frantic rush to make sure everything is done. Directors may change their minds about key elements of the production days before shooting and this can mean a rapid reassessment of costumes and lighting and, of course, make-up.

The make-up designer is, above all, responsible to the director for whatever look is required for the production. Even a great director may not actually know what they really want until they see it on set and it is the make-up designer's job to produce that look, whereever it affects hair or make-up.

Special effects and articial features

When it comes to special effects and artificial features make-up - like prosthetics - the make-up designer will engage a specialist on contract, if the budget allows. Otherwise, the make-up designer will create the piece in collboration with the hired assistants. The make-up designer will need to make the decision whether it is more sensible to spend money on an expert or to rely on the skills of those already hired for the production.

Working conditions for the make-up team

The make-up designer is responsible for the working conditions of his or her assistants. Good make-up - and good make-up artists - require adequate lighting, mirrors, space, comfortable sleeping quarters, and regular meal breaks.

For the trainees on the production, the make-up designer will be their key mentor and must help boost their confidence through encouragement and training.

The make-up designer is also the liaison between the production office and the make-up team. He or she will supervise all make-up work and ensure it's done in response to the latest instructions from the production office or director. It is usually the case, too, that the make-up designer will be the one handling make-up directly for the leading actors.

"One of the best years of my life was spent training at Delamar Academy. Every week was completely different and I loved the fact that all the teachers were highly experienced and currently still huge in the business. I enjoyed every second of my time there and felt really prepared and eager to venture onto a set or a shoot. The course not only taught me make-up and hair skills but also how to behave on set, what lingo everyone uses, how to write an invoice etc. which has been so beneficial since finishing the course. Since I graduated, I have been very lucky - I have worked on BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing', 'National Lottery', ITV shows, BBC comedy sketch shows, Sky One game shows, BBC game shows. I have worked on photo shoots for 'Hello' magazine, 'Zoo' magazine, 'The Radio Times', and 'Toni and Guy'. Commercials I have worked on include 'Nokia', 'Boots', 'Remington', 'Cancer Research', 'Peroni', 'Wii Nintendo', and I have worked on 'Hollyoaks'. I am happy to say that I am one of those people who says "I love my job!""