SARA SEIDMAN VANCE

Professional Make-up for Film, Television,HDTV and Print I.A.T.S.E Local #798

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I have been emailed over the years from all over the world on how I got into the business and what I recommend. Below are my thoughts and advice on how to get into the industry. If you have more questions after you read this, email me and I will be glad to answer any additional questions you may have.
Blessings,
Sara Seidman Vance
EDUCATION UPDATE : I will be teaching  a class on Lighting for the Make-up artist in the winter of 2010
Knowledge is power. (Keep checking back for updates.)  

  Over the years, I have received a lot of e-mail from people asking about how to get into the make-up field for film and television. I decided to add this

page to my web site to give my comments on this subject. Please read it thoroughly before e-mailing me with questions.

 

   Each make-up artist in the business has their own story on how they got into the business. For me, I was taught basic stage make-up by my father when

I was a young girl. I started in this business as a performer. When I made the decision to become a full-time make-up artist, I began reading books

such as " Stage Make-up" by Richard Corson , "Techniques of the Professional Make-up Artist" by Vincent Kehoe and apprenticing under other make-up artists. There are many other books out there,but these two give you the basics. Another good source about the business of Make-up is Make Up Artist Magazine. They have a book and video section that you can purchase the two books I have mentioned here,plus many other wonderful sources of information about the craft including links to other make-up artists,make-up suppliers and schools for make-up. On the main page of my site is the link to other crafts people in the industry,check those out as well.Here is another link that you should check out for good professional make-up information at Makeup411.com

 

   To get into this business, there are several things to remember. There are no guarantees, no steady paychecks, its either feast or famine and sometimes its not what you know but who you know. There are many schools out there. You must research them carefully. Always check credentials.

Never go on just what they tell you. No school should guarantee you employment. They can only teach you the skills to get you started to seek your own

employment. Sometimes colleges and universities have master classes and symposiums. Check your local papers for their class schedules.

If you live in a large city like L.A. or New York, you have an advantage because there are many more resources and other make-up artists to apprentice

under. Take advantage of these resources and count yourself lucky to have access to them! If you live in Australia, Melborne is growing as a film

community. The United Kingdom, London has a large industry. Canada, Vancouver and Toronto is bursting with film and TV activity. 

 

   To get into the union? Well that depends on where you live geographically. Each local has their own criteria to enter. All require a lot of professional

experience(three to five years on legit projects) and testing to enter. There is an example of the testing requirements in the back of the Vincent Kehoe

book. The skills required for the test are skills that every make-up artist should know and have.

 

   To conclude, you better really love this business and be prepared to not have job security. Get the books and read them. Practice on your friends.

Learn the craft. As I said before there are no guarantees in this business and always have some sort of other skill to fall back on during the lean

times.

Blessings to you all. Sara Seidman Vance