Profession make-up and hair designer
Make-up and hair designers develop a design concept for make-up and hair of performers and supervise the execution of it. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. Therefore, the designers work closely with artistic directors, operators and the artistic team. Make-up and hair designers develop sketches, design drawings or other documentation to support the workshop and performance crew. Make-up designers sometimes also work as autonomous artists, creating make-up art outside a performance context.
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Personality Type
- Enterprising / Conventional
- Realistic / Enterprising
- Enterprising / Realistic
Skills
- Analyse the scenography
Analyse the selection and distribution of material elements on a stage.
- Safeguard artistic quality of performance
Observe the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.
- Propose improvements to artistic production
Assess past artistic activities with a view to improving future projects.
- Perform quality control of design during a run
Control and ensure the quality of design results during a run.
- Adapt existing designs to changed circumstances
Adapt an existing design to changed circumstances and ensure that the artistic quality of the original design is reflected in the final result.
- Draw make-up sketches
Sketch make-up designs to develop the concept and share with others.
- Decide on wig making process
Decide on what materials and techniques to use for performance wigs, and document the decision.
- Monitor sociological trends
Identify and investigate sociological trends and movements in society.
- Verify feasibility
Interpret an artistic plan and verify whether the described design can be executed.
- Update design results during rehearsals
Updating the design results based on observation of the stage image during the rehearsals, especially where the different designs and the action are integrated.
- Develop design ideas cooperatively
Share and develop design ideas with the artistic team. Conceptualise new ideas independently and with others. Present your idea, gain feedback and take it into account. Make sure the design fits with the work of other designers.
- Coach staff for running the performance
Give instructions to all team members about how they should run the performance.
- Adapt to artists' creative demands
Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.
- Understand artistic concepts
Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.
- Design make-up effects
Develop and apply special make-up including effects.
- Research new ideas
Thorough research for information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production based.
- Use communication equipment
Set up, test and operate different types of communication equipment such as transmission equipment, digital network equipment, or telecommunications equipment.
- Analyse score
Analysing the score, form, themes and structure of a piece of music.
- Communicate during show
Efficient communication during live performance, anticipate any possible malfunctioning.
- Meet deadlines
Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
- Analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions
Analyse the artistic concept, form and structure of a live performance based on observation during rehearsals or improvisation. Create a structured base for the design process of a specific production.
- Work safely with chemicals
Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
- Present detailed design proposals
Prepare and present detailed design suggestions for a specific production to a mixed group of people, including technical, artistic and management staff.
- Monitor developments in technology used for design
Identify and explore recent developments in technology and materials used in the live performance industry, in order to create an up-to-date technical background for one’s personal design work.
- Develop design concept
Research information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production. Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff members, in order to develop design concepts and plan productions.
- Translate artistic concepts to technical designs
Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
- Analyse a script
Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.
- Decide on make-up process
Define the make-up materials and methods you willl use.
Optional knowledge and skills
contribute to a safe working environment labour legislation work with respect for own safety use personal protection equipment document your own practice create wigs create lifecasts keep personal administration test make-up draw up artistic production copyright legislation dye wigs lead a team update budget provide documentation follow environmentally-sustainable work practices analyse the need for technical resources organise resources for artistic production prevent fire in a performance environmentCommon job titles
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