Career Options
Putting a face on makeup artistryThey are behind the camera, unspoken artists who can make or break a clothing ad, or a graphic horror scene. They add colour and drama to faces and body parts. DAVE ELIA |
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 [ 2002-06-12 ] |
Special effects at Complections
They are the unheralded makeup artists.
Definitely on the list of cool jobs, makeup artistry has long been known as a tough industry to break into. Thousands of artists graduate from accredited colleges and private institutions every year. As a result, there are only a few who have created the necessary connections to find work.
Melanie Whitmore, 24, has different focuses in her career. Full-time, she is an assistant instructor at Sheridan College, teaching special effects for film and theatre makeup courses. In her spare time, she is a makeup artist for fashion shoots.
Whitmore confesses she did not choose her profession -- she basically fell into it.
"I was always artistic, so I wanted to use that ability in a career," Whitmore says. "In the beginning I wanted to be a fashion designer, but I knew the odds were slim."
Whitmore's interest was piqued while working as an extra on a film.
"I saw the makeup artists behind the scenes and I thought it was cool," Whitmore says. "So I did my training at Sheridan College and now I am doing up to five shoots a week."
As a first step, Whitmore suggests that budding makeup artists find a focus in the broad industry.
"A lot of people stay small and just do weddings and head shots -- which are good money makers," Whitmore says.
As in any profession, there are different tiers to makeup artistry. Part-timers usually do weddings or occasions as a hobby, or as an outlet for extra income. Full-time artists travel from shoot to shoot, or take positions in large corporations.
Diane Mack is an experienced makeup artist who has worked on photo shoots for Max Factor, Oil of Olay and commercials for City TV and Muchmusic. As a freelance artist, she has also had her share of ups and downs in the industry.
"The makeup industry is like any other -- a lot of it is who you know." Mack says. "That's one way of making it. But I took the other route -- being very aggressive."
Mack began in the industry in a lowly modeling agency, doing makeup for young aspiring models.
"I learned a lot in that job, especially with corrective makeup," Mack says. "You can't get good doing the super models of the world, the Tyra Banks, the Heidis, they don't really need you."
Both Mack and Whitmore emphasize the importance of finding a school that has good, experienced instructors and caters to your personal needs.
Complections International Ltd., based in London, England, is a world renowned private makeup school. Its branch in Toronto offers many courses including television and film, theatre, special effects and prosthetics.
"We have offered 23 years of high-calibre training," says Lynda Eng, administrative director of Complections International. "The focus of our courses is hands on training -- up to 35 hours a week."
Eng says the intensive approach is what makes the difference between higher priced private institutions such as Complections, and traditional college courses.
"College courses offer minimal hands on training," Eng says. "Our classes are full-time days with experienced instructors."
Whitmore disagrees:
"I had my training at Sheridan and I found it to be a great experience." Whitmore says. "I think it's up to the individual to find the school that suits their needs."
Another area Mack and Whitmore both agree on is the importance of agencies.
"I recently got an agent from Motame and it has been really liberating," Whitmore says. "Now I'm free to work, instead of looking for work."
(Dave Elia is a Toronto-based freelance writer who can be reached at elia10@yahoo.com.)
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