1 answer
charlene
Student
Portland, Oregon
1
Question
Updated
204 views
what does a make up artist, theatrical performance do and how do they do it ?
1. What required education do I need to have a job here?
2. What's the wage and salaries earning?
3. Is there any benefits that would be provided?
I want to know this information because theater is my passion.
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1 answer
David Coffman
Stage / Production Manager
7
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
David’s Answer
A theatrical make-up artist applies (and sometimes designs) make-up, prosthetics, and special facial and body effects onto performers' faces and bodies in theater, film, television, video games, and live action events.
You do not necessarily need a college degree to be a make-up artist, but you can gain valuable education and experience while in college if you do go that route.
A college theater department may have classes in make-up, hair and wigs, prosthetics and appliances and special make-up effects, etc., where you can learn and apply the knowledge you gain in the same place with supervision and feedback.
You can also gain training in a vocational setting, such as a cosmetology school, where you can focus on make-up (and maybe hair and wigs, a valuable option if available).
Pay varies widely, depending on how much you are able to do, and where you put your energy into working. Union make-up artists in film, television, video games and live action events can make $40 - $50 per hour and more, and even more if you can design make-up. Professional union make-up artists can get benefits with their job, depending on the contract and industry they are working in.
Investigate schools that have make-up specialties in their curriculum, colleges and vocational schools.
Watch shows like Face Off on television and see if the participants say where they received their training.
Take classes in make-up and other related fields, including possibly chemistry and the like to understand the ingredients in what you wnat to work with and how it affects humans.
If you know any make-up artists, ask them if you can interview them to learn about their career.
You do not necessarily need a college degree to be a make-up artist, but you can gain valuable education and experience while in college if you do go that route.
A college theater department may have classes in make-up, hair and wigs, prosthetics and appliances and special make-up effects, etc., where you can learn and apply the knowledge you gain in the same place with supervision and feedback.
You can also gain training in a vocational setting, such as a cosmetology school, where you can focus on make-up (and maybe hair and wigs, a valuable option if available).
Pay varies widely, depending on how much you are able to do, and where you put your energy into working. Union make-up artists in film, television, video games and live action events can make $40 - $50 per hour and more, and even more if you can design make-up. Professional union make-up artists can get benefits with their job, depending on the contract and industry they are working in.
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