Working as a special effects makeup artist is often a good fit for someone with strong artistic skills and a passion for movies or theater. These people are in charge of selecting the makeup and other accessories needed to transform the appearance of actors in a play. While a cosmetology degree is ideal, it isn’t always required to work in this industry. Many people, in fact, work their way up to becoming a special effects makeup artist by learning from other professionals. Researching character appearance, making character sketches, applying makeup, photographing actors afterward, and removing makeup are just a few of the main responsibilities of this job.
In most cases, a special effects makeup artist will first research each character’s appearance. He’ll try to get a good idea of what each character’s makeup and accessories should look like as part of this task. It is critical to do so in order to effectively create an appropriate look for each actor. To do so, he might read through a script or speak with the director or other people in charge of the production.
A special effects makeup artist will usually make some sketches of each character once he has an idea of how he wants them to look. He’ll make a rough drawing of what he thinks a character should look like at this point. He might also jot down ideas for additional accessories that could be included. He will frequently edit his notes about a character’s appearance as he progresses until he is satisfied with the overall look.
Before filming or a play, an individual will apply makeup and accessories to each character after he has a final sketch. The amount and complexity of makeup varies by character, but it may include wigs, making characters look older, and adding blood or wounds. In some cases, this may entail extensive makeup enhancements for actors portraying zombies or aliens, which can take several hours.
Many times, after applying makeup, someone will take pictures of each actor. This is done to capture an actor’s exact appearance so that it can be duplicated later. This helps a special effects makeup artist remember how each character looks and creates a sense of continuity.
A special effects makeup artist is also responsible for removing each character’s makeup at the end of each day. This includes removing wigs, face makeup, and any other accessories worn by the actor. He may also need to wash an actor’s skin to avoid irritation from the makeup’s chemicals.