Make-up Artist
Are you interested in the effects that can be achieved through the creative application of make-up? If so, consider a career as a make-up artist where you have the opportunity to work in a range of environments.
Make-up artists apply make-up to fashion and photographic models, actors and other performers involved in stage, film and television productions, brides and other clients for special occasions.
Typical tasks for make-up artists include:
- preparing the skin for make-up application and removing make-up as required
- demonstrating cosmetic products to clients
- instructing clients about make-up application
- applying a wide variety of professional make-up products
- fitting and modifying wigs, beards, masks and prosthetics to achieve an appropriate character appearance
- using make-up to produce effects such as ageing, illness, scars and bruising
- altering or maintaining make-up during productions to ensure the continuity of a performer's appearance
- advising hairdressers on the hairstyle required for character parts.
Hours can be irregular and if you’re working the film and television industry, you may be required on location.
CUF40407 Certificate IV in Make-up
This qualification is for individuals who provide make up and hair services for the screen, media and entertainment industries. It reflects the role of individuals who use well developed skills and a broad knowledge base in a wide variety of contexts. They apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems, and analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources. They may provide leadership and guidance to others with some limited responsibility for the output of others.
What you can expect in a training program
While each course or on-the-job training program may differ in emphasis, you can expect to learn about how the film, television and interactive digital media industry works, who the important players are, how to work safely, and the importance of creativity and critical thinking to all jobs in the industry. A typical Certificate IV in Make-up training program would include:
- Make-up
- designing, applying and removing make-up
- maintaining continuity of performers’ appearance.
- Wigs and hair
- styling hair for performances or productions
- styling wigs and hairpieces for performances or productions
- selecting and applying hair extensions dressing hair for a performance or production
- maintaining wigs and hairpieces
- making wigs.
- Business practice and administration
- promoting products and services
- conducting research
- applying contract and procurement procedures.
Qualifications and competency standards
For information on the structure of qualifications, go to the National Training Information Service at www.ntis.gov.au. Select ‘Search’ and type CUF07 in the ‘Search for’ field and tick ‘Training Packages’ in the “search in’ field. Select Volume 1 for an overview of all qualifications.
What other options do I have?
With a Certificate IV in Make-up you have the skills necessary to develop into a specialist make-up artist, e.g. special effects and period make-up. You could also be responsible for coordinating the operations of a make-up department.
Where can I do training?
You’ll find TAFE and other colleges on the national database of Registered Training Organisations – here’s how it works:
- At www.ntis.gov.au select ‘Search’.
- Type the course code (CUF40407) into the ‘Search for’ field.
- Tick ‘RTOs by scope’ in the ‘Search in’ field and select the appropriate state or territory.
Further information
For more information, visit the websites below, talk to the careers teacher at your school, go to Open Days at TAFE colleges and universities and visit their websites.
Useful websites
For industry information, search the Australian Government’s Culture and Recreation Portal at www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au. There you will find links to thousands of websites across all areas of the arts, entertainment, media and publishing industries.
For career and employment information visit the following sites:
myfuture
Job Guide
Australian JobSearch
Australian Apprenticeships or call the hotline on 1800 639 629
Australian Apprenticeships Training Information Service
Get Access
WageNet
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