Makeup Artist / Theatrical / Performance

Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Commercial Makeup Artist (Commercial MUA); Hair and Makeup Designer; Makeup Artist (MUA); Prosthetic Makeup Designer; Special Effects Makeup Artist (Special Effects MUA); Special Makeup Effects Artist; TV and Film Makeup Artist (Television and Film Makeup Artist)

Tasks

• Clean supplies such as makeup brushes.
• Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
• Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
• Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.
• Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.
• Confer with stage or motion picture officials and performers to determine desired effects.
• Requisition or acquire needed materials for special effects, including wigs, beards, and special cosmetics.
• Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations, to determine makeup requirements.
• Establish budgets, and work within budgetary limits.
• Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects.
• Write makeup sheets and take photos to document specific looks and the products used to achieve the looks.
• Assess performers' skin type to ensure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.
• Attach prostheses to performers and apply makeup to create special features or effects, such as scars, aging, or illness.
• Examine sketches, photographs, and plaster models to obtain desired character image depiction.
• Cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language
• Fine Arts
• Design
• Communications and Media

Skills

• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Near Vision
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Finger Dexterity
• Visualization
• Manual Dexterity
• Written Comprehension
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Problem Sensitivity
• Information Ordering
• Selective Attention
• Speech Recognition
• Deductive Reasoning
• Category Flexibility
• Written Expression
• Far Vision
• Speech Clarity
• Inductive Reasoning