Just when I thought the Australian Film Industry couldn’t possibly sink any lower I come across this little nugget of complete audacity and hilarity.
Believe it or not, there is a production company in Australia who is currently advertising for and expecting any budding makeup artists to pay them $2995 in order to work on their Feature Film.
(Sorry, but shouldn’t it be the other way around??)
It is being labelled as a “unique special effects course” and is very clever in its marketing, with tantalising catch phrases like,
“Have you done courses in the past to gain experience and a foot in the film industry door and found that you finish no closer than when you started?”
It outlines that you will have the opportunity to observe and participate in the practical side of developing special effects make up with industry professionals as they create appliances, bodies and creatures.
It all begins with an extensive 4 week pre production period where they will be casting actors, sculpting, creating moulds and casting out in both foam and silicone and painting them up.
Then you have 4 weeks of production when the filming starts.
They state that “You will experience life on set as you watch and learn the prosthetics being applied. You will also assist in the makeup removal process and help dress bodies into set as well as helping to bring the creatures to life.”
So, allow me to break this down for you, this production company wants you to pay them $2995 for a completely unaccredited course, which in this day and age means diddly swat, with the return of having your name in the credits.
They want you to do all of the hard work of creating endless SFX for the film, not only for free, but while actually paying them.
Needless to say that the film may be sold and you have worked for zilch!
The production company makes heaps of money and they have not had to outlay any money in order to have the SFX created and delivered.
In fact, they have made money from you to cover other expenses.
YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!
Of course there will be some dickheads out there that are so desperate to see their little name up in lights that they will gladly pay for this “experience”.
To them I say – YOU DESERVE LOSING MONEY THIS WAY BECAUSE YOU’RE A COMPLETE IDIOT!
To the Production Company I say – YOU’RE DISGUSTING AND SHAME ON YOU FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF AND CASHING IN ON BUDDING TALENT!
The purpose of this blog is to provide information and experiences relevant to the Film/TV Makeup Industry. It may include tips and tutorials as well as rants and raves. As an experienced technician in this Industry I hope to impart some knowledge on to fellow Artists and aspiring amateurs and give people a taste of what actually goes on behind the scenes – good and bad.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
NO MORE EYEBROWS
Eyebrow blocking is used widely through Fashion now, but it started with theatre and drag performers many moons ago.
Heaps of people have asked me about how to cover brows and there are many products and techniques you can use to achieve the no eyebrow look without resorting to shaving them off completely.
The simplest way, the way I do it, is to use stick glue.
“Uhu” makes stick glue and it is perfect for cancelling out brows.
The stick glue is non toxic and washes off easily with cleanser and warm water.
Begin by lightly rubbing the glue straight from the stick into the brows against the direction of growth. (Starting at the outer brow and ending at the inner brow)
Grab a disposable mascara wand and brush the brows in to the direction of growth then start lightly wiping the glue stick onto the brows following the direction of growth. (Starting at the inner brow and ending at the outer brow)
Do this until you have basically glued the hairs down to your skin.
Apply some powder to the area to absorb excess moisture then continue to add more glue in the same way as before.
Make sure you don’t stretch the skin in this area as it will cause the skin to wrinkle.
Now apply some more powder and let it sit for a minute or two.
The surface should be flat to the skin and very smooth.
Lightly brush away any excess powder and then apply concealer or a high pigment pan stick over the dark areas where the brow colour shows through. Make sure you blend!
Set this with some more powder then lightly apply your desired foundation with a sponge making sure you keep blending.
Now set the whole lot with translucent powder and your brows should be completely concealed.
BTW...If the thought of using glue freaks you out then try using a simple bar of soap, slightly dampen the end of the soap and keep wiping across the brows in the direction of growth until you are satisfied that they are smooth then continue with powdering and adding concealer, foundation similar to the steps above.
Heaps of people have asked me about how to cover brows and there are many products and techniques you can use to achieve the no eyebrow look without resorting to shaving them off completely.
The simplest way, the way I do it, is to use stick glue.
“Uhu” makes stick glue and it is perfect for cancelling out brows.
The stick glue is non toxic and washes off easily with cleanser and warm water.
Begin by lightly rubbing the glue straight from the stick into the brows against the direction of growth. (Starting at the outer brow and ending at the inner brow)
Grab a disposable mascara wand and brush the brows in to the direction of growth then start lightly wiping the glue stick onto the brows following the direction of growth. (Starting at the inner brow and ending at the outer brow)
Do this until you have basically glued the hairs down to your skin.
Apply some powder to the area to absorb excess moisture then continue to add more glue in the same way as before.
Make sure you don’t stretch the skin in this area as it will cause the skin to wrinkle.
Now apply some more powder and let it sit for a minute or two.
The surface should be flat to the skin and very smooth.
Lightly brush away any excess powder and then apply concealer or a high pigment pan stick over the dark areas where the brow colour shows through. Make sure you blend!
Set this with some more powder then lightly apply your desired foundation with a sponge making sure you keep blending.
Now set the whole lot with translucent powder and your brows should be completely concealed.
BTW...If the thought of using glue freaks you out then try using a simple bar of soap, slightly dampen the end of the soap and keep wiping across the brows in the direction of growth until you are satisfied that they are smooth then continue with powdering and adding concealer, foundation similar to the steps above.
Friday, December 24, 2010
A DEFINITE FOR HIGH DEFINITION!
I have to rave about this fabulous product.
I have been using the ‘Graftobian High Definition Pro powder’ palette for just over a year now and it is the best of the best.
Graftobian Makeup Co. was established in 1978 and is a manufacturer and distributor of virtually every type of makeup.
The palette has lasted for the whole year and has been used on many films and photo shoots with only two of the colours having to be replaced.
Apart from the obvious, being that it is suitable for High Definition work as it is undetectable on screen or film, it lasts for ages and can be reapplied without any hassle.
I use it for concealing, highlight and shade and keeping shine at bay.
I purchased my palette from the fabulous online store ‘Makeup and Glow’ and haven’t looked back since.
You can purchase the complete 8 pan palette and any refills from www.makeupandglow.com.au while you’re there check out all the other amazing products they offer.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
COMPETITIVE CLIENTS
When a potential client approaches you to do their Hair and Makeup for a competition, think strongly about whether you wish to be a part of this type of arrangement.
Now, I am speaking about competitions like amateur Karaoke contests or other amateur performing comps.
They will leave you saying that they love what you have done and are happy with the result.
Everything will be just peachy keen.
However, from my own experience, I can tell you it’s not worth the hassle.
They usually want things done on the super cheap and expect too much bang for their buck.
They’re expectations are set way too high and as a result, they have a long way to fall.
They’re amateur performers and have very little experience with winning and losing and as a result they are usually very sore losers.
Apart from this the main reason I suggest not doing someone’s Hair and Makeup for a competition is because when or if they don’t win, instead of understanding that it could be a number of things that made them lose, they will blame you and the Hair and Makeup.
My suggestion is to steer clear of them.
Now, I am speaking about competitions like amateur Karaoke contests or other amateur performing comps.
They will leave you saying that they love what you have done and are happy with the result.
Everything will be just peachy keen.
However, from my own experience, I can tell you it’s not worth the hassle.
They usually want things done on the super cheap and expect too much bang for their buck.
They’re expectations are set way too high and as a result, they have a long way to fall.
They’re amateur performers and have very little experience with winning and losing and as a result they are usually very sore losers.
Apart from this the main reason I suggest not doing someone’s Hair and Makeup for a competition is because when or if they don’t win, instead of understanding that it could be a number of things that made them lose, they will blame you and the Hair and Makeup.
My suggestion is to steer clear of them.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
A DAY AT THE OFFICE
Sometimes people ask me what it’s like to work in the Film Industry doing what I do.
Many think it’s fun and glamourous and that there’s lots of sitting around doing nothing.
Well, it can be fun and glamourous and there might be some times when you have to wait for hours while other crew members set up and such, but let me reassure you that it is NO picnic!
You see, I don’t rock up to work at 8:30am and sit behind a desk until lunch when I enjoy a one hour break then return to the desk and continue until 5:00pm when I leave and go home, cook some dinner, potter around for how ever long, then go to bed.
I don’t get to just switch everything off, including my brain, and then leave.
Of course all the people who currently work in this Industry will relate to exactly what I am saying here but there are a lot of people who aren’t aware of what we do.
So for all those who would like to know?
This is a basic breakdown of a day in my field of work on a low budget project…
(This doesn’t differ much from when you are working on a big budget project except for a few things here and there.)
3:00am – Wake up, get ready and check that I have everything needed for the day.
4:00am – Travel to location.
4:30am – Arrive to location and set up.
5:00am – Hair and Makeup begin - most of the time I am making up a couple of actors at a time.
7:00am – Be on set, which may be quite a distance away.
The next 5 hours is spent running back and forth from set - retouching makeup’s to off set - doing other actors makeup’s, keeping track of continuity, setting up any SFX rigs and doing any SFX makeup on set and off set when required. Sometimes changing locations when needed.
12:00pm – Lunch - supplied at the location.
12:30pm – Hair and Makeup revision, retouches (especially mouths) and more actors’ makeup’s.
1:00pm – Be on set, sometimes in a different location from the one prior.
Again, the next 5 hours is spent running back and forth from set - retouching makeup’s to off set - doing other actors makeup’s, keeping track of continuity, setting up any SFX rigs and doing any SFX makeup on set and off set when required. Sometimes changing locations when needed.
6:00pm – Dinner, if you’re lucky - supplied at the location.
6:30pm – Begin “wrapping” the talent, removing Makeup, any prosthetics and Hair styling.
7:30pm – Pack up, clean work area and liaise with Producer, AD’s and Director about next day.
8:30pm – Travel home or to where you are staying.
9:00pm – Clean and sanitise makeup kit, brushes, tools, wash towels and hang to dry.
– organise makeup kit, brushes, tools and anything else required for the next day’s shoot.
10:00pm – Go to bed, if you can.
Repeat this, 5 – 6 days a week for however long the shoot period is.
Add to this - very strict time pressures, handling a wide gamut of creative personalities including some really needy actors, running everywhere, carting makeup bags everywhere, having makeup, blood and hair up to your elbows, constantly washing your hands, standing in broad searing sunlight or freezing cold dark for 14 hours, hearing your name called at least 100 times a day, supervising any assistants you may be lucky to have and remaining pleasant and approachable at all times.
As you can see, to have a career in this Industry, being talented and well connected is a must but stamina, patience, passion and massive sacrifice plays a more major role.
And yet, if I ever do apply for a normal 9 to 5 job, with all my professional and personal experience – I don’t even get a reply from the employer. Hilarious!! Rude!! I say, “Work one day on set with me and see how long you can last”.
Now I am not saying that the average job is not stress filled and tiring but it does kinda make you laugh when you hear a desk jockey complain about how tired they are or how bad their day at work was.
But hey…
Apart from all of this, and call me mental if you wish, I LOVE this Industry and I LOVE working in it!
Many think it’s fun and glamourous and that there’s lots of sitting around doing nothing.
Well, it can be fun and glamourous and there might be some times when you have to wait for hours while other crew members set up and such, but let me reassure you that it is NO picnic!
You see, I don’t rock up to work at 8:30am and sit behind a desk until lunch when I enjoy a one hour break then return to the desk and continue until 5:00pm when I leave and go home, cook some dinner, potter around for how ever long, then go to bed.
I don’t get to just switch everything off, including my brain, and then leave.
Of course all the people who currently work in this Industry will relate to exactly what I am saying here but there are a lot of people who aren’t aware of what we do.
So for all those who would like to know?
This is a basic breakdown of a day in my field of work on a low budget project…
(This doesn’t differ much from when you are working on a big budget project except for a few things here and there.)
3:00am – Wake up, get ready and check that I have everything needed for the day.
4:00am – Travel to location.
4:30am – Arrive to location and set up.
5:00am – Hair and Makeup begin - most of the time I am making up a couple of actors at a time.
7:00am – Be on set, which may be quite a distance away.
The next 5 hours is spent running back and forth from set - retouching makeup’s to off set - doing other actors makeup’s, keeping track of continuity, setting up any SFX rigs and doing any SFX makeup on set and off set when required. Sometimes changing locations when needed.
12:00pm – Lunch - supplied at the location.
12:30pm – Hair and Makeup revision, retouches (especially mouths) and more actors’ makeup’s.
1:00pm – Be on set, sometimes in a different location from the one prior.
Again, the next 5 hours is spent running back and forth from set - retouching makeup’s to off set - doing other actors makeup’s, keeping track of continuity, setting up any SFX rigs and doing any SFX makeup on set and off set when required. Sometimes changing locations when needed.
6:00pm – Dinner, if you’re lucky - supplied at the location.
6:30pm – Begin “wrapping” the talent, removing Makeup, any prosthetics and Hair styling.
7:30pm – Pack up, clean work area and liaise with Producer, AD’s and Director about next day.
8:30pm – Travel home or to where you are staying.
9:00pm – Clean and sanitise makeup kit, brushes, tools, wash towels and hang to dry.
– organise makeup kit, brushes, tools and anything else required for the next day’s shoot.
10:00pm – Go to bed, if you can.
Repeat this, 5 – 6 days a week for however long the shoot period is.
Add to this - very strict time pressures, handling a wide gamut of creative personalities including some really needy actors, running everywhere, carting makeup bags everywhere, having makeup, blood and hair up to your elbows, constantly washing your hands, standing in broad searing sunlight or freezing cold dark for 14 hours, hearing your name called at least 100 times a day, supervising any assistants you may be lucky to have and remaining pleasant and approachable at all times.
As you can see, to have a career in this Industry, being talented and well connected is a must but stamina, patience, passion and massive sacrifice plays a more major role.
And yet, if I ever do apply for a normal 9 to 5 job, with all my professional and personal experience – I don’t even get a reply from the employer. Hilarious!! Rude!! I say, “Work one day on set with me and see how long you can last”.
Now I am not saying that the average job is not stress filled and tiring but it does kinda make you laugh when you hear a desk jockey complain about how tired they are or how bad their day at work was.
But hey…
Apart from all of this, and call me mental if you wish, I LOVE this Industry and I LOVE working in it!
HEAVEN ON EARTH?
I get a great number of emails asking me where to buy casting, molding and sculpting products and tools as well as SFX supplies, so, in case you haven’t heard, there is a fabulous new place open in Woolloongabba that sells everything you need.
The company is ‘Barnes’ and they have been around since 1986 and they've been growing ever since, now they are in Brisbane!
If you need anything for casting, molding, sculpting and special effects this is a “must visit” place!
My dear friend Kym Sainsbury is there to assist you with all your enquiries and because she has been a prosthetics guru for 20 odd years in the Film Industry she knows her stuff.
There are also future plans for Kym to hold workshops on many aspects of casting and mold making. Learn from the master!!!
You will also get to meet my fabulous Dad who works there as well.
Make sure you say a big hello from me.
Trust me – go there, you’ll think you’re in heaven…
All the products are a really excellent price and you will get all the advice you need to use them.
But take your credit card because you’ll end up spending big time!
Visit the Barnes website for more info.
The company is ‘Barnes’ and they have been around since 1986 and they've been growing ever since, now they are in Brisbane!
If you need anything for casting, molding, sculpting and special effects this is a “must visit” place!
My dear friend Kym Sainsbury is there to assist you with all your enquiries and because she has been a prosthetics guru for 20 odd years in the Film Industry she knows her stuff.
There are also future plans for Kym to hold workshops on many aspects of casting and mold making. Learn from the master!!!
You will also get to meet my fabulous Dad who works there as well.
Make sure you say a big hello from me.
Trust me – go there, you’ll think you’re in heaven…
All the products are a really excellent price and you will get all the advice you need to use them.
But take your credit card because you’ll end up spending big time!
Visit the Barnes website for more info.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
JUST FOR THE RECORD
A film producer is someone who selects a screenplay, initiating the process of film making. They oversee the entire process including coordinating, supervising and controlling matters such as fund-raising, hiring key personnel such as the film director, other producers involved on production, line producer, accountant and they arrange avenues for the films distribution.
They also advise and control creating the scenes and conditions for making movies. The producer is totally involved throughout all phases of the filmmaking process from development to completion of a project.
I have worked with a number of Producers over the years and I accept that this role is one which requires hard work and dedication – most of the Producers I have worked with have been pretty much on top of their game and I would gladly work with them again.
Unfortunately though, there is one “Producer” I have worked with recently who shall remain anonymous that was completely delusional in thinking that they were able to refer to themselves as a Producer.
This person has worked on other projects and has been demoted and even fired from most of them because of their inability to come through with the promises they made, straight up lies and deceit, theft from the production budget and apparent attempts at sabotage.
The whole project, the cast and crew were all put in highly dangerous and stressful situations due to this person simply not doing their job and when anyone attempted to resolve these situations they were met with complacency and denial.
Currently, there are Chinese whispers being spread about the shoot and certain people who worked on it and I would ask anyone who hears such rumours to take them with a grain of salt as it is just this persons attempt at covering their footprints.
If you ever wish to know the truth about people then go to the source and don’t listen to any he said she said rubbish.
I will never work this person again and I will make certain that whenever their name is mentioned I will inform those who need to know about their ongoing blunders.
If you are hired to work on a gig make sure you do some research into the person who is hiring you and have a very strict contract signed prior to any work being initiated.
They also advise and control creating the scenes and conditions for making movies. The producer is totally involved throughout all phases of the filmmaking process from development to completion of a project.
I have worked with a number of Producers over the years and I accept that this role is one which requires hard work and dedication – most of the Producers I have worked with have been pretty much on top of their game and I would gladly work with them again.
Unfortunately though, there is one “Producer” I have worked with recently who shall remain anonymous that was completely delusional in thinking that they were able to refer to themselves as a Producer.
This person has worked on other projects and has been demoted and even fired from most of them because of their inability to come through with the promises they made, straight up lies and deceit, theft from the production budget and apparent attempts at sabotage.
The whole project, the cast and crew were all put in highly dangerous and stressful situations due to this person simply not doing their job and when anyone attempted to resolve these situations they were met with complacency and denial.
Currently, there are Chinese whispers being spread about the shoot and certain people who worked on it and I would ask anyone who hears such rumours to take them with a grain of salt as it is just this persons attempt at covering their footprints.
If you ever wish to know the truth about people then go to the source and don’t listen to any he said she said rubbish.
I will never work this person again and I will make certain that whenever their name is mentioned I will inform those who need to know about their ongoing blunders.
If you are hired to work on a gig make sure you do some research into the person who is hiring you and have a very strict contract signed prior to any work being initiated.
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