So you did your makeup/and or hair course which took you 3mths - 2 years depending on what course you do...and now what? Well first decide what avenue you want to go in to. Film/TV, Stage, Fashion?
TV/Film
You will need to know how your makeup will look under HD (I think it's safe to say that all TV and Film will be using this medium in the future). Now you could beg and plead with film production companies to give you a try, but that, in my opinion, is a futile exercise. Your email will be lost amongst the 1000s they receive everyday. You could call in a few favours from friends or family (never knock nepotism, you will need every bit of luck you can!). What worked for me was contacting a film school. One with a good reputation was The London Film School
24 Shelton Street
London, WC2H 9UB
But there are many all over the country. Basically you just go there and they will have a notice board and you just pin a note on the wall stating they should call you if they are looking for a makeup artist. Make sure you highlight your talents eg. special effects and hair styling, make it standout as it will only be visable for a few days before someone else sticks their's over yours (yes it happens) . You will not be paid, but you will have expenses reimbursed and a good lunch. They usually shoot for 2 days to 2 weeks so make sure you can afford to do this. Note: if you are not that confident, go for the 1st year students, you will pull your hair out at times but once you have got the 1st one out of the way and know how to design the makeup for a script and how putting a film together works, go for the final year students only (they usually have a bigger budget and sometimes will get a well known celebrity to appear in their films).
Alternatively, you could look on website MANDY.COM they will constantly list student films. So you can choose who you want to work with before applying for the position.
Usually after editing, there will be a screening which is done at a local cinema. It is a good way to see your makeup blown up 100 fold!! Pay close attention and make note of any mistakes you think you made or things you could improve on. If you can afford to do it, keep on until you feel very confident and you have a nice set of DVDs. If you have done it well, you will have bought some nice products for your kit even though you weren't getting paid. And I don't care who you are, nothing beats seeing your name on that screen (everyone thinks next time HOLLYWOOD!......even if you only end up in Borehamwood, it's still a touch!)
Once you have a couple of good DVDs of the films you have done, contact a few film production companies, include a link to your dvds which you can upload on youtube so they can see examples of your work (this will get you a little ahead of the majority of other applicants), (no need to mention its a student film, if it's a really good film, they won't notice!).
A good money spinner is Corporate Films. You can look online for companies who make corporate videos. These are usually internal films made by large companies such as Tesco and B&Q to help their staff . They are not the most exciting jobs generally, but they are well paid and it is, like everything you do from now on, a networking exercise. This industry is very much about WHO you know, so the more people you know, the more chances of getting work. Just make sure you have the personality and skills to back it up. Many a door is opened, but its up to you to stay in the room! Be helpful (I'm alright Jack or Mrs Jobsworth won't last very long) The gaffer guy you ignored or were rude to, could be the nephew of Ridley Scott, who had you been doing your best, just happened to mention your attributes, because he was so impressed with your talents on set....you never know!
Now I have a very early start in the morning so next issue...Getting into Fashion.
TV/Film
You will need to know how your makeup will look under HD (I think it's safe to say that all TV and Film will be using this medium in the future). Now you could beg and plead with film production companies to give you a try, but that, in my opinion, is a futile exercise. Your email will be lost amongst the 1000s they receive everyday. You could call in a few favours from friends or family (never knock nepotism, you will need every bit of luck you can!). What worked for me was contacting a film school. One with a good reputation was The London Film School
24 Shelton Street
London, WC2H 9UB
But there are many all over the country. Basically you just go there and they will have a notice board and you just pin a note on the wall stating they should call you if they are looking for a makeup artist. Make sure you highlight your talents eg. special effects and hair styling, make it standout as it will only be visable for a few days before someone else sticks their's over yours (yes it happens) . You will not be paid, but you will have expenses reimbursed and a good lunch. They usually shoot for 2 days to 2 weeks so make sure you can afford to do this. Note: if you are not that confident, go for the 1st year students, you will pull your hair out at times but once you have got the 1st one out of the way and know how to design the makeup for a script and how putting a film together works, go for the final year students only (they usually have a bigger budget and sometimes will get a well known celebrity to appear in their films).
Alternatively, you could look on website MANDY.COM they will constantly list student films. So you can choose who you want to work with before applying for the position.
Usually after editing, there will be a screening which is done at a local cinema. It is a good way to see your makeup blown up 100 fold!! Pay close attention and make note of any mistakes you think you made or things you could improve on. If you can afford to do it, keep on until you feel very confident and you have a nice set of DVDs. If you have done it well, you will have bought some nice products for your kit even though you weren't getting paid. And I don't care who you are, nothing beats seeing your name on that screen (everyone thinks next time HOLLYWOOD!......even if you only end up in Borehamwood, it's still a touch!)
Once you have a couple of good DVDs of the films you have done, contact a few film production companies, include a link to your dvds which you can upload on youtube so they can see examples of your work (this will get you a little ahead of the majority of other applicants), (no need to mention its a student film, if it's a really good film, they won't notice!).
A good money spinner is Corporate Films. You can look online for companies who make corporate videos. These are usually internal films made by large companies such as Tesco and B&Q to help their staff . They are not the most exciting jobs generally, but they are well paid and it is, like everything you do from now on, a networking exercise. This industry is very much about WHO you know, so the more people you know, the more chances of getting work. Just make sure you have the personality and skills to back it up. Many a door is opened, but its up to you to stay in the room! Be helpful (I'm alright Jack or Mrs Jobsworth won't last very long) The gaffer guy you ignored or were rude to, could be the nephew of Ridley Scott, who had you been doing your best, just happened to mention your attributes, because he was so impressed with your talents on set....you never know!
Now I have a very early start in the morning so next issue...Getting into Fashion.
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