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Broadcast Make-up Artist

Make-up artists prepare hair and make-up for anyone appearing in front of a camera or a live audience in film and television.

They create anything from a natural look for TV presenters and guests, to period wigs or special effects such as scars and prosthetics.

They can work alone, as an assistant to a senior colleague or as part of a make-up design team.

A make-up artist's duties include: researching and designing make-up and hairstyles to suit the production; working to detailed notes or a rough design brief; applying 'corrective' make-up for a natural look; hair tidying and styling; fitting wigs, hairpieces and 'bald caps'; applying prosthetic make-up to completely change a performer's appearance.

Other duties include: keeping notes and photographs to maintain continuity; standing by on set to re-do make-up and hair; and keeping work areas and equipment clean and tidy. They also work closely with production designers, costume designers, camera and lighting crew and performers.

Freelance make-up artists are usually paid a fee for each contract, and there may be gaps between contracts. Rates can vary widely, and may be negotiated based on the type of production and your track record.

Contact the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) for current pay guidelines.

Most make-up artists start by taking a relevant course in make-up or beauty therapy and building up their practical experience.

Specialist media make-up courses include: BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in Production Arts (Make-up); VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical and Media Make-up; ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Fashion, Theatre and Media Make-up; foundation degrees, BTEC HNCs/HNDs and degrees in media make-up; intensive courses at private make-up schools.

For some of these, you may need to have taken a course in general beauty therapy and hairdressing such as an NVQ level 2 – you should check entry requirements with course providers.

As well as taking a relevant make-up course, you should also try to gain practical experience, build a portfolio of your work to show to employers, and develop a network of contacts in the industry.

You can get useful experience in various ways, such as: backstage in amateur theatre; student film, theatre and photography projects; charity or student fashion shows; work experience with established make-up artists and photographers.

Once you have built up some experience and made some contacts, your first paid work in film or TV may be as a trainee or assistant to the make-up team. You might also find casual work as a 'daily', doing the make-up and hair for extras in crowd scenes.