Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing 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 Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

The Work

The Make-up Artist breaks down the script in order to work to the make-up budget and schedule for the production and is responsible for the budget and administration related to the make-up department. The Make-up Artist briefs the Assistant Make-up Artist on the type of make-up required then schedules and assigns make-up personnel to certain actors and/or extras.  
 
The Senior Make-up Artist would usually attend to the principal actors and assign an Assistant to minor cast members and extras, depending on the sise of the cast involved in the production.  
 
The work may include life casting, modelling and creating prosthetic pieces, applying and removing same. Ageing actors using various techniques. Creating forms of forensic make-up. Dressing, cleaning, applying and removing facial hairpieces. Remaining conscious of the damage that can be done to skin should any of these be carelessly executed. Make-up will need to be touched up in between takes.  
 
The work involved for the Make-up Artist depends on the nature of the script and one is expected to have knowledge of all the make-up techniques required, taking into account that story lines originally in the script can be altered and changed during shooting. The work includes consideration of hygiene, sterilisation of equipment, skin problems and allergies. The make up artist works closely with the costume designer, the hair and wardrobe departments, and has to have an understanding of the requirements of each.  
 
Travel within a working day, absence from home at night and overseas work or travel is frequent in this profession.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
• Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects.
• Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
• 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.
• Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations, to determine makeup requirements.
• Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.
• Analyse a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.
• Confer with stage or motion picture officials and performers to determine desired effects.
• Establish budgets, and work within budgetary limits.

Further Information

• Make up Artist - TV/Film - from: QC Make-up Academy
• Make up Artist - TV/Film - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Make up Artist - TV/Film - from: GradIreland
• Make up Artist - TV/Film - from: Gradireland
• Make up Artist - TV/Film - from: Makeup Artist - Career Insights

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Skill level is as much importance as specific qualifications, but there are many relevant further education courses, a qualification from one should prove an asset to anyone hoping to enter the field.

A portfolio is an important way to display your competency and those hoping to enter the field should begin assembling one. The starting point for employment in the TV and Film industry is as a Trainee.     To join as a Trainee, applicants should have basic training in make-up or related areas such as Beauty Therapy. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Beauty Therapy & Make up Artistry NFQ level 5 Search FET Courses 

FET Centre PLC courses: Make-up Artistry, Beauty Therapy, Costume design and Theatrical Make-up, Media make up at NFQ levels 5-6  Search FET PLC courses

Professional Development 

www.careersinscreen.ie

Image Skillnet

Media Skillsnet

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €34k

Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

Employment in arts, sports and tourism occupations was growing in line with the national average by the end of 2019. COVID-19 restrictions have had a significant impact on employment in these occupations. As such, a decline of 17.6%, or 16,000 persons, in employment is forecast for 2020 (annual average) when compared to 2019. A partial recovery in employment numbers is expected with the lifting of restrictions, although a full recovery will be dependent on the lifting of restrictions on overseas travel, along with consumer confidence and the disposable income levels of individuals in Ireland.

Employment growth in the five-year period was below the national average. A number of new employment permits were issued in 2019, primarily related to animators. With the exception of those involved in animation and games, remote and socially distancing work practices are difficult to maintain. As a result, the outlook for these occupations, in light of COVID-19, is dependent on an almost full recovery of economic and social activity.

• SIPTU (Arts Culture Print and Media Sector)

  • Liberty Hall, Dublin 1
  • (01) 8586300
  • Click Here

• Irish Film and Television Network

  • First Floor, Palmerstown Centre, Kennelsfort Road, Dublin 20
  • 01 905 3595
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• National Association of Screen and Make-up Artists and Hairdressers

  • Click Here