Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.

Job Task

• Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.
• Apply makeup to enhance, and/or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
• Assess performers' skin-type in order to ensure that make-up will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.
• Attach prostheses to performers and apply makeup in order to create special features or effects such as scars, aging, or illness.
• Cleanse and tone the skin in order to prepare it for makeup application.
• Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.
• Confer with stage or motion picture officials and performers in order to determine desired effects.
• Design rubber or plastic prostheses that can be used to change performers' appearances.
• Duplicate work precisely in order to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
• Evaluate environmental characteristics such as venue size and lighting plans in order to determine makeup requirements.
• Examine sketches, photographs, and plaster models in order to obtain desired character image depiction.
• Provide performers with makeup removal assistance after performances have been completed.
• Requisition or acquire needed materials for special effects, including wigs, beards, and special cosmetics.
• Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring in order to achieve specific color effects.
• Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations in order to determine makeup requirements.
• Write makeup sheets and take photos in order to document specific looks and the products that were used to achieve the looks.
• Advise hairdressers on the hairstyles required for character parts.
• Create character drawings or models, based upon independent research, in order to augment period production files.
• Demonstrate products to clients, and provide instruction in makeup application.
• Establish budgets, and work within budgetary limits.
• Wash and reset wigs.

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