The roles of make-up arists witin film and television

The role of an Assistant make-up artist

The assistant make-up artist – in films and television – assists and facilitates the work of the chief make-up artist/ make-up artist. The assistant would usually attend to minor cast members and extras (depending on the size of the cast). The assistant make-up artist applies make-up to faces and bodies and sees to the requirements of the ‘crowds’ (extras etc). The assistant make-up would also touch up make-up between takes and as required. The assistant make-up may also be asked to help the chief / make-up artist with applying and removing prosthetic make-up such as ‘ageing’, burns or wounds etc. The assistants’ work also depends on the nature of the script. The assistant may also be asked to do administrative work such as paperwork related to the department.

The role of Make-up Assistant Within the BBC

When working for the BBC the make-up assistant is to work to the instructions of the make-up designer/chief artist....