MAKE UP & HAIR
The Make-Up Artist is the earliest person to start working
intensely on a production, with the possible exception of the lighting
crew if they have a new set up to start the day.
The Make-Up Artist does all the actors in the order that they'll be
utilized in the daily schedule. The most difficult jobs, such as
prosthetics have to be attended to first. It helps to have more than
one Make-Up Artist or Assistants on the set when you have a heavy
Make-Up-type movie, such as horror or period movies.
The Make-Up Artist has to follow the course of the shooting
and tend to any touch-ups that are necessary, especially when actors
are before lights for extended periods and sweat forms on their faces;
or when there are action scenes that mess up the actors' make-up; or
after fights and stunts where injuries, bruises, black eyes or blood
has to be applied; or to create a special change following a "faked"
modification or transformation of an actor's appearance by spraying the
actor's face with water to show sweating or whatever.
The Make-Up Artist has to be attentive to everything that's
being filmed, in constant communication with the Continuity Person and
the camera crew. You certainly don't want Make-Up artists who spend all
their time chatting with the "stars" on the set, should you be
fortunate to have any. There's nothing more annoying than to have to
listen to a hum of voices while you're setting up a shot or working on
the set.
The Hairdresser's job is similar to Make-Up. On low budget
movies, the two jobs may be done by the same person.
It's important that hair should match day to day, for style and color.
Therefore, a Hairdresser should be good with styles and in some cases
should know how to cut and color hair.
Every production has its own requirements, so you need to think
carefully about this position in case hair is an important element of
your production. If your story is about hippies in the sixties, relax,
you might not need a Hairdresser. But if your movie is about "hair in
the sixties" you might need twenty Hairdressers. There are all kinds of
exceptions, use your judgment.