Makeup

[Mark B.]

A question for you U.S. ultra-low budget indie filmmakers (preferably in Washington). How do you handle makeup on the set? I've heard that a cosmetology degree is required for anyone to apply makeup to someone else. Alas, I'm not looking forward to hiring a dedicated makeup person when my budget is practically nothing. I've got the cast made up of friends, and I'd like to get another friend (fully skilled but lacks credentials) to do the makeup work for free. I don't want to have the actors apply their own makeup because they'll end up with inconsistent appearances.

So how do you handle this scenario? Do you ignore the laws because your set is too small to be relevant? Do the laws not apply since the work is artistic and therefore all efforts put into it are protected as free speech? Do you airbrush the makeup to bypass the law... is that even an adequate bypass? Is the license required if the person applying the makeup is not getting paid? Does a waiver from the actor allow for the application of cosmetics by a non-licensed person?

My mind keeps going through the options, but it just seems like there's no alternative other than hiring out the task to a professional. And no, I'm not keen on becoming a licensed cosmetologist myself.

[Jason Murphy]

Well, since becoming a licensed cosmetologist takes about 1600 hours of training in Washington State, I hear you.

Seriously, though, I can't imagine this is something that would be enforced in your situation, even if it applies, legally speaking (and I still don't know that it does). I know that certainly in order to run your own cosmetology business of some sort, or to work there, you need training/licensing. This is done to protect the public from potentially harmful cosmetology practices.

Now, if your friend the amateur cosmetologist were to set up a for-profit commercial business doing makeup for all the movies that came through town without that license, you might have a problem. But something like this? I can't imagine it would be an issue on an indie film set.

But I'm sure there's someone else who could give a better answer here. I was just born in Seattle and lived there for awhile later. Never had to deal with hiring cosmetologists for movie sets.

[David Mullen ASC]

I honestly doubt there is any licencing requirement for make-up people on a low-budget film set -- we're not talking about electricity here. Unless Washington State has some odd laws on the books.

Make-up people on a low-budget shoot are like many other people on the low-budget crew -- often up-and-comers, relative novices looking for experience.

The best thing would be to ask some other low-budget filmmakers in your state and talk to them or the make-up people they hired.

"Less is more" when it comes to general run-of-the-mill make-up. If you're going to shooting fast, don't cast actors that "need" a lot of make-up to look presentable...

[Kenn Christenson]

A word of caution, though. I got a call from an actor the day after a commercial shoot, saying his eyes had swelled due to the makeup that was used. I called the makeup person and told her about it, she called the actor and managed to work it out.

Turns out the guy is allergic to just about everything and there's no way to tell if it was the makeup, but it's something to keep in mind when working with makeup.

If at all possible, have your talent do their own makeup or at least purchase their own powder to keep the shine down, that way you'll be off the hook for any makeup emergencies.

[Tom Lowe]

Try to find a young person straight out of makeup school. They are willing to work cheap. Be careful, though.... makeup girls are the biggest gossips on any movie set. :)

[Clint Johnson]

One thing to keep in mind is hygiene. Transferring skin and eye conditions through the talent pool will make for an unhappy set. Makeup can be expensive and some people will try to save money at the expense of health and safety... hell, it doesn't even cross some of their minds as they take one eyeliner pencil and run through the entire cast with nothing but the occasional sharpening.

All you need is getting to the end of the shoot and have twenty people with pink eye and cold sores.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

A question for you U.S. ultra-low budget indie filmmakers (preferably in Washington). How do you handle makeup on the set? I've heard that a cosmetology degree is required for anyone to apply makeup to someone else.

Not a whole lot to add here that hasn't been said. And no cosmetology licenses required. Cosmetology licenses are often needed on the sales and service end of things, but that's a different issue.

For low budget stuff, have the talent do it themselves. Perhaps supply some of the cosmetic products (like you want them all wearing metallic blue lip color). Clint's statement on hygiene is right on. Make sure if you're providing any of the cosmetics and or having someone there to help apply it that you have enough applicators, pads, sponges, brushes, etc... If you have someone doing makeup applications, have them wash their hands before starting work on someone new. Protective gloves aren't a bad idea -- just the thin "beautician's" gloves used by hair stylists or makeup people to keep colors and products off of their skin. No need for expensive latex or nitrile sterile gloves. Any experienced makeup people, stylists etc.. will know this stuff. Then again, we're talking really low budget here.

During the casting process, don't be afraid to ask those auditioning if they're willing to do their own makeup. It's not unusual anyway. Most small to even medium budget productions, especially stage performances often have the actors doing their own makeup work or a significant portion of it.