This course focuses on the production processes in the makeup team - from barbering to wig prep and all kinds of makeup for film and TV including period and Special Effects. You will also learn about continuity bibles and inventory management.
The purpose of this course is to develop and assess the competence and underpinning knowledge of individuals working in the Hair & Makeup department. The course has been developed with reference to the National Occupational Standard for Hair & Make Up for Film and Television. The Hair & Make Up for Film and Television standards are the output of an extensive piece of research conducted by ScreenSkills to identify what is needed to work effectively in Hair & Makeup departments within the Film and TV industries.
Semester 1
The course will start with 6 weeks of specialist training from our own tutoring team and from visiting industry professionals. In this training block you will learn the foundations of Hair & Makeup for Film & Television: the specific departmental requirements and responsibilities and the contribution of a Hair & Makeup Department through practical demonstrations and taught theory. You will learn the fundamentals of makeup application for film and television with the particular emphasis on understanding the anatomy and physiology of the human face, the basic science of cutting and styling hair and the use of appropriate products, tools and equipment to ensure you are able to make a positive contribution during your production practice.
There will then be a bootcamp delivered by industry professionals focusing on career development before you begin your first 5 weeks of production practice, either working with a client on a live brief or onset with a production partner.
Semester 2
You’ll then come back to ESA for your second semester where you will get more training to further develop your specialist skills and knowledge. In this block, you will learn about the specific requirements of Film and Television Hair & Makeup building upon your initial work experience placement following which you should understand the departmental responsibilities and the contribution of a Hair & Make-up Department. You will learn additional techniques of make-up application and hair management, an introduction to barbering skills for Film and Television and colouring hair for continuity purposes and the use of Hair & Make-up Department workshop equipment to ensure you are able to continue to make a positive contribution during your second production practice and beyond.
This course is only available to students who are 18 years old at the start of the course. We will admit a maximum of 12 students onto the programme. Please also be aware that this course is supported by VOCAT (Vocational Education and Training for the Creative Industries) - this course is a practical traineeship, which places students on-set in real industry environments as much as possible. The highest levels of professionalism are expected of students.