I personally don't have any experience of working in film or TV hair and makeup. I would love the opportunity to do so and have been taking part in a lot of online learning with TV/Film makeup artists recently, so I can learn and understand what the role entails and the responsibilities for a TV/Film hair and makeup artist.
There are so many opportunities available within the TV/film industry, a huge push has recently happened to give people in the North more TV/film work experience. TV Studios have been moved to the Northern area of England and there are always local TV companies within your local area. In a recent interview with TV and Film makeup artist Victoria Penrose, she pointed out that news teams always need the support of hair and makeup artists and that TV shows are being filmed all over the country in places such as Birmingham, Manchester, Leicester. It's all about getting your name out there and networking with people already working in industry. There are so many varied job roles for the hair and makeup artist within the TV/film industry, such as period drama, news teams, soaps, documentaries, sci-fi, casualty work, etc.
As a TV/Film makeup artist you will need to have a varied skill set as each job will be different. The key skill to have is to be able to apply a soft makeup look, provide excellent skincare and ensure that you can do a very good, long lasting, natural makeup. Most TV/Film work will involve natural makeup looks in some way, shape or form. For example you don't see actors on your favourite soap wearing a full cut crease, complete with extreme contour and huge lashes. However working in the TV/film industry may involve you also having to use special fx, wig making, wig styling, hair styling, ageing makeup, etc. Having a varied skill set will set you above other makeup and hair artists working in the TV/film industry.
One tip I have learned is to identify who the makeup artist/designer is on any TV Shows you've recently watched. Research into who that person is, follow them on social media platforms and email them with your interest in working with them. Yes I know this does sound a little bit like a stalker, however if you don't ask you don't get. The truth is you may not get an answer, you may get a rejection, but unless you build relationships and get to know people in the industry the chances of finding work experience are slim. Social media is a great way to find out more about the hair and makeup artists who inspire you, you can connect with them via social media platforms and build those relationships and this could eventually lead to you working with them.
Staying up to date with current trends is important for working in the TV/film industry, specifically if working on modern day films or TV series, you need to be able to apply makeup that identifies and clearly represents the current trends. However it is important when working in TV/film that you have experience of period makeup, this skill will help if you wanted to work within the period drama sector or for working in film. A trend that has been identified by hair and makeup artists working in the TV/film industry is that they have seen an uptake in films and TV series being set in the 1980's, I learned this information from attending a seminar with CBM Academy where I had the opportunity to listen to the makeup and hair designer and artists from the upcoming Disney film Cruella.
From attending seminars and Q & A sessions with professionals working within the TV/film industry I've learned that though the job is rewarding the hours are extremely long, the pace is fast and that there are many job roles within the hair and makeup sector for TV/film. There are roles such as makeup artist on the 'bus' where you apply makeup and hair to the extras on a TV show, lead makeup artist who applies the hair and makeup to the stars of the show, hair and makeup designer who create the makeup looks and hair designs for the cast and hair and makeup assistants who support the hair and makeup artists on set.
I hope that one day soon I will gain some experience in this industry as I would love to share the experience with you!