After years of being a professional makeup artist traveling in some very eclectic circles I have learned that coming more prepared than you ever thought possible is worth its weight in gold. Now, with having any information needed as close as your computer, it is easy to be able to be informed.
I am expected to know my craft in depth. That doesn’t just mean application of makeup. You must know color, anatomy, lighting, period and a wealth of design. It’s vital to really be prepared to succeed in whatever comes your way (in this day and age, time is money) and having a confidence that puts your client at ease.
I have been the department head for multi million dollar films, and doing makeup is just one small task in an unlimited amount of work. You have to be a time manager, accountant, human resource agent, and disk jockey. Pandora has saved my life numerous times in being able to choose just the right music on any given day in any given makeup trailer. Those who have spent months in the same trailer at 4AM know exactly what I’m talking about.
Gone are the days of continuity Polaroid’s that were put into a book and sent to production when the film was finished. Now it’s digital and there are many programs out there to make it concise and efficient. There are also scanners and apps to design the looks for directors to look at before anything is shot. This has become the standard. The more you know, the more you will work.
Think about all of the new products that come on the market that everyone wants to see and use. You must be on top of the latest and greatest in order to have, at a moments notice, just the right product for the right person. I have spent countless hours in beauty supply and department stores browsing the aisles for the next “best thing”.
Whenever I come onto a new project I research the actor, the character and the place and time to make sure that I am equipped to know and assist with whatever needs to be done to make the director and actor comfortable.
I still go to educational classes on everything from hair work to computer programs to learn new tricks even though I have been in this business for many, many years. The moment I know everything is the moment I will do something else. I have stayed in this field because it is ever changing and that’s what keeps me interested and inspired.
I have applied this to the makeup field but I believe it can be applied to anything you are passionate in making your career. I have never had a full time job and have been able to carve out a successful business life. In this day of downsizing I have acquired skills of a freelance life to keep me afloat. Knowledge is the most powerful tool you can have in order to keep doing the work you love. Oh yeah, and some luck.