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Make-up Artist

Applies and maintains make-up on cast; continuity through the shooting day on UK film/TV units — hygiene, continuity and cast ready-times drive the day.

Duties

• Read the call sheet and sides before arriving
• Maintain radio/set etiquette and H&S
• Hand over notes/kit status at wrap
• Apply make-up to brief
• On-set touch-ups
• Continuity photos and notes
• Hygiene and kit care

Reports to

Make-up Designer / HMU Designer

Works with

Artists team, Costume Standby, Script Supervisor

Career path

HMU Trainee → Junior → Make-up Artist → Designer

Day to day

Apply approved make-up; maintain under hot lamps; continuity stills; hygiene standards; quick fixes between takes.

Call times

HMU call is driven by cast ready-times — often well before unit. Prosthetic/ageing and crowd days need long early prep.

What to wear

Blacks; clean hygienic kit clothes; hair tied back; soft shoes; PPE/gloves for prosthetics as needed.

Tools & kit

Personal kit (common), brushes, hygiene consumables, continuity camera/phone.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap and kit fee on the deal memo before accepting. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk ratecards / your branch.

Software

• Continuity photo folders
• Scriptation / PDF sides
• Face chart apps / Procreate
• Photoshop / PureRef boards
• Labelled continuity photo folders
• ChatGPT for period/reference research (Designer verifies)

Related roles

Make-up Designer, Hair & Make-up Artist, HMU Assistant

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