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Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Occupation Detailed Description

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

The main tasks and work activities of Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance are to collaborate with others to determine production details, manage budgets for personal services operations, apply makeup to alter or enhance appearance, apply cleansing or conditioning agents to client hair, scalp, or skin. In general, for the Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance, speaking, active Listening, reading Comprehension, critical Thinking and other 6 skills are required.
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance jobs. 8.70% of Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 43.48% of Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
17.39%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
8.70%
Post-Secondary Certificate
43.48%
Some College Courses
13.04%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
4.35%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
13.04%

Tasks and Work Activities of Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

  • Confer with stage or motion picture officials and performers to determine desired effects.
  • Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
  • Establish budgets, and work within budgetary limits.
  • Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
  • Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.
  • Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects.
  • Cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application.
  • Assess performers' skin type to ensure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.
  • Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.
  • Requisition or acquire needed materials for special effects, including wigs, beards, and special cosmetics.
  • Write makeup sheets and take photos to document specific looks and the products used to achieve the looks.
  • Examine sketches, photographs, and plaster models to obtain desired character image depiction.
  • Attach prostheses to performers and apply makeup to create special features or effects, such as scars, aging, or illness.
  • Evaluate environmental characteristics, such as venue size and lighting plans, to determine makeup requirements.
  • Design rubber or plastic prostheses that can be used to change performers' appearances.
  • Create character drawings or models, based upon independent research, to augment period production files.
  • Advise hairdressers on the hairstyles required for character parts.
  • Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations, to determine makeup requirements.
  • Provide performers with makeup removal assistance after performances have been completed.
  • Wash and reset wigs.
  • Thinking CreativelyDeveloping, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Collaborate with others to determine production details.
  • Manage budgets for personal services operations.
  • Apply makeup to alter or enhance appearance.
  • Apply cleansing or conditioning agents to client hair, scalp, or skin.
  • Assess skin or hair conditions.
  • Review production information to determine costume or makeup requirements.
  • Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
  • Prepare operational reports or records.
  • Design costumes or cosmetic effects for characters.
  • Groom wigs or hairpieces.
  • Teach health or hygiene practices.
  • Demonstrate activity techniques or equipment use.

Skills and Abilities for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • OriginalityThe ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Air brushese.g. Airbrushing tools
  • Makeup kitse.g. Angle brushes
  • Makeup kitse.g. Angle liners
  • Makeup kitse.g. Brow brushes
  • Makeup kitse.g. Chisel brushes
  • Contact lensese.g. Colored contact lenses
  • Makeup kitse.g. Contour brushes
  • Digital camerase.g. Digital still cameras
  • Makeup kitse.g. Dome brushes
  • Makeup kitse.g. Eye shadow brushes
  • Hair combs or brushese.g. Eyebrow combs
  • Makeup kitse.g. Fan brushes
  • Makeup kitse.g. Fine detail brushes
  • Makeup kitse.g. Flat brushes
  • Makeup kitse.g. Foundation brushes
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Makeup kitse.g. Lip brushes
  • Makeup kitse.g. Makeup application spatulas
  • Palette knivese.g. Makeup blending spatulas
  • Manual pencil sharpenere.g. Makeup pencil sharpeners
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Fine ArtsKnowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Communications and MediaKnowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.