1Hello and welcome to the film making podcast.
2In this week's episode, Claire Lemarre talks to us about how to become a makeup artist.
3Claire's been working as a makeup artist in the film industry for over 20 years
4and has lots of useful advice about how to get started.
5Thanks Ian.
6Well, before you can become a makeup artist on films you have to spend about 2 years working as a makeup trainee.
7A good place to get your first job would be on a low budget short film.
8Of course, this means that you'll be working for free.
9But it's often worth it for the experience.
10Make sure your transport costs are covered
11and remember, there's very unlikely to be any catering provided, so bring plenty of food.
12If you're lucky, you might start out on a big budget film where you'll get the most useful experience.
13On productions like this, makeup and hair styling are separate departments
14so you won't need to bring your curling tongs!
15But you're likely to get the opportunity to work with a range of age groups,
16as well as different ethnicities.
17Doing makeup for special effects is highly specialised,
18so don't expect to be offered any practical experience in that.
19One problem with working in the makeup department is that it's a high-pressure environment.
20There are very few times when you'll be bored or have nothing to do.
21It can be stressful but you'll see that the top makeup artists are very professional
22even when they're having to work with directors who are impatient, or unhappy with the makeup artist's work.
23Follow your supervisor's lead and try to remain calm at all times.
24I've worked with many very famous actors over the years.
25At first, I found it overwhelming and could hardly speak,
26I was so in awe.
27That's preferable, by the way, to becoming too excited and asking for selfies.
28Now meeting the talent is just a normal part of the job
29and to be honest, most actors don't look that special without all the makeup!
30Every makeup trainee will need a makeup kit,
31which they'll be expected to have with them at all times.
32Just the essentials will do for the kinds of tasks you'll be given,
33it won't be anything complicated.
34It's worth looking at what the other makeup artists have in their kits
35but whatever you do, don't borrow anything without asking first.
36It's very important to build your portfolio.
37You should take photos of all the work you do
38and ideally show the different stages of makeup application if you can.
39But remember you'll need to get approval from the makeup designer in charge of the department.
40As you'll be sending your portfolio digitally, you won't need to get photos printed.
41So what does a makeup trainee actually do?
42You need to think about whether you're the right kind of person to do the job and whether you'd enjoy it.
43So, to give you some idea, here are some of the things you might be required to do.
44You may be asked to help prep an actor ready for makeup.
45Some actors will arrive having already cleansed and moisturized their skin.
46But sometimes you'll need to step in and get this done without wasting any time,
47otherwise the makeup artist will get behind schedule.
48Trainees play a useful role in continuity.
49It will be your responsibility to take photos, log them digitally and print out a hard copy to put in each actor's file.
50This information needs to be kept in good order
51as a reshoot can mean replicating makeup months later.
52General duties mean doing anything from getting the teas and coffees to putting on a wash.
53Having a positive attitude and being willing to do whatever is asked of you will help you get your next film job.
54You won't be asked to apply makeup to any of the principal cast, only the extras.
55If there are dozens of extras involved
56you'll need to keep up a swift pace and not spend too long on each person.
57It takes quite a lot of confidence to be able to do this well.
58OK now about terms....