The Role of the Makeup Department in Film and TV Production

If you’ve been booked by Central Casting, you know that creating your look is a big part of the job. While applying your own makeup is often part of getting camera ready, bringing a specific look to life is a partnership between the background actor and makeup department.

What does the makeup department do?

On film and TV sets, hair and makeup are often referred to as one department even though they are technically separate. The makeup department is responsible for all makeup used in a scene, from basic everyday styles on shows like FBI, The Morning Show and Nobody Wants This to looks that require special effects makeup, like on patients in The Pitt.

The makeup department does more than make sure principal actors look good on camera. Carefully designed makeup looks in film and TV can:

• Inform the setting. Just like clothing, makeup looks are distinctive to time periods and locations. Without a single line of dialogue, makeup artists can use color and styles to inform the audience where and when a story is set. Even if you’re not an expert in decade looks, you can probably spot neon eyeshadow and have a pretty good sense that the story takes place in the 1980s.
• Track a character’s journey. Makeup plays a large role in helping the audience understand a character’s background and how they’re feeling. If a character chooses a full-face glam look to go grocery shopping, that choice can tell you a lot about the character and help the audience understand them better.
• Set the tone. Makeup styling can reflect the tone of the scene or overall production through the use of color temperature and palette. Warm, golden and sun-kissed tones can help bring a light romantic comedy to life. Pale, pasty and desaturated makeup combined with color grading can set the right mood for a horror film.

With scenes often filming out of order, the makeup department plays a critical role in preserving continuity. Makeup artists ensure that everyone on camera, from background actors to series regulars, has the correct look for where the character is chronologically and touch up actors on set to remain consistent with each shot.

Film and TV Makeup Department Roles Explained

The production designer oversees the entire art department, including the makeup department. They are responsible for the overall physical look of a project and work with the makeup artists on the general makeup design for the movie or TV show.

These are the main roles and responsibilities in the makeup department:

• Key makeup artist. As the head of the makeup department, the key makeup artist oversees the makeup design for the entire production while ensuring continuity throughout filming. They often will apply makeup to lead and other principal actors, especially for special or hard to produce looks.
• Makeup artist. Makeup artists are responsible for applying makeup to talent, including background actors when necessary.
• Special effects makeup artist. Looks that make an actor appear significantly different than they do in real life are usually handled by special effects makeup artists. Their responsibilities can include old age makeup, fake wounds, prosthetics and turning actors into otherworldly creatures.
• Makeup assistant. Makeup assistants can help apply makeup in some cases, but their main duties include organizing makeup kits, photographing talent for continuity and other small tasks assigned by the key makeup artist.

How the makeup department works with background actors

Background actors are usually responsible for applying their own makeup before they get to set. For some shows, like period projects or productions with a very specific aesthetic, background may be asked to arrive to work with a basic look, then finish applying their makeup on set with assistance from the makeup department.

There are also background roles that require special effects makeup. Some roles may only require application of prefabricated prosthetics on the day, like fake wounds or generic costume pieces. Other roles may require custom made prosthetics to offer greater actor mobility or for realism with close up shots.

How to prepare your makeup for film and TV roles

After you’re cast, you’ll receive your booking information as a details message from our casting portal. Some messages may include additional resources from production, like a Details Blog or other reference material. It’s important to read this information fully and carefully so you can apply your makeup as desired for the role.

Keep in mind that each production has its own established style and color palettes. If you’re booked as a college student, don’t assume you know how to put that look together. The production may have specific colors to use or may be leaning toward a more conservative over flashy style.

If you’re unsure how to recreate a look, there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to help you get started. When creating period looks or very specific styles, if you’re not sure how far to take a look, it’s best to apply conservatively then consult with the makeup department on how to add the finishing touches with the products you bring with you.