MAKEUP DESIGNER: PRODUCTION TEAM JOB DESCRIPTION
Good Makeup is Never Noticed by the Audience
by Tom McLaughlin
September 24, 2005
The make-up artist is responsible for providing make-up for the actors and assisting them in applying stage make-up and hair styling for their character. The following is a list of specific items which need to be done and a time-frame for accomplishing your tasks.
BEFORE REHERASALS BEGIN
BEGUN DONE
_____ _____ Read the play.
_____ _____ Meet with the director to
learn if there are any special needs make-up for any
character. Present your make-up list to the director for
approval.
_____ _____ Make a list of the
make-up requirements for each character as far as you can determine
them.
_____ _____ Determine with the
director which items of make-up will be shared by the cast and
which items need to be purchased by each individual cast
member.
_____ _____ Meet with the video
master. Make arrangements to view any instructional video tapes on
make-up. Read selected chapters from the texts in the
bibliography.
_____ _____ Together with the
director, make a list of everything your crew needs to do. Make a
production time line establishing deadline dates.
DURING THE FIST WEEKS OF THE REHEARSAL PERIOD
_____ _____ Post a list and
organize a make-up crew.
_____ _____ Together with your crew
inventory the make-up on hand. (See attached sample inventory
sheet.)
_____ _____ Determine what make-up
needs to be ordered and make a list of those items.
_____ _____ Call local distributors
to check their stock and to obtain a price quote. Make lists of
which items will be ordered from what company.
_____ _____ Prepare a make-up budget.
Present it to the director for approval.
_____ _____ Obtain a purchase order
for each company or vendor with whom you will place an order.
_____ _____ Place your make-up
order.
DURING THE MID-REHEARSAL PERIOD
_____ _____ With your crew, make
make-up designs for each character listing what make-up they will
need to apply for their character.
_____ _____ Meet with the stage
manager to determine the best time to meet with individuals or with
small groups from the cast. Make a chart and post the meeting times
(during rehearsals when the actors are not on stage) and devise a
method of notifying each actor of their make-up demonstration time
slot.
_____ _____ Organize a training
session with your crew. Assign specific crew members to actors or
give the crew their make-up job responsibilities.
_____ _____ Type and photocopy copies
of any requirements for cast members. Distribute the list before
tech week begins.
_____ _____ Meet with individual
actors for their make-up demonstration.
_____ _____ Compliment and thank your
crew.
DURING TECHNICAL WEEK
_____ _____ Together with your
crew, prepare the make-up room with all items laid out by character
or in whatever order preferred by the director.
_____ _____ During the first run of
the show tech week, sit in the house and observe each character
under stage lights. Make notes on what improvements need to be
made.
_____ _____ Notify each cast member
of any changes you plan to make for their character.
_____ _____ Make a list of what needs
to be done to clean the make-up room each night and who on your
crew will be responsible for what cleaning job.
_____ _____ Notify your crew of the
time each night they need to set up the make-up room for the
actors.
_____ _____ With the director and
stage manager, type a make-up call list for the nights of the show.
Post the list in the make-up[ room and in the dressing room.
_____ _____ Compliment and thank your
crew.
DURING THE RUN OF THE SHOW
_____ _____ Set up the make-up
room.
_____ _____ Apply make-up on each
actor, or assist them as they apply their own make-up.
_____ _____ After the cast has left,
clean the make-up room and set it up for the next show.
_____ _____ Before closing night
write a letter to the person who will have your position for the
next show. Give that person advice based on your experience. File
the letter in your 3-ring binder behind your job description.
_____ _____ Compliment and thank your
crew.
DURING STRIKE
_____ _____ Clean all make-up
containers, caps or tops, brushes, ect. Place all like items
together. Make a list of all the items as you store them for the
next show. Make note of items which might need to be ordered for
the next show. Photocopy the list. Leave one list in the box with
the make-up and give one list to the director.
_____ _____ Compliment and thank your
crew.
_____ _____ Store all make-up in the
designated place.
