Information for Trainees

Welcome to the make-up department!

 

  • The trainee grade is the first step into the film industry.
    While it is necessary to have completed a make-up course to ensure candidates possess the relevant skills to work within the department, new applicants also must undergo training within the department. This is a valuable time to gain insight into the running of the make-up department and the film industry as a whole.

    The make-up department consists of Make-up Designers, Supervisors, Key Make-up Artists, Make-up Artists, Junior Make-up Artists, and Trainee Make-up Artists.

    Please find the make-up department’s competency framework here, which can help explain the different roles and the skills required for each.

  • A junior make-up artist, though still in training is very valuable to a make-up team. They must be able to help set up the dept or crowd base, and work from both bases. They may be required to run the office admin within the dept. They will be required to assist with make-up on cast or crowd.

    90 consecutive or non-consecutive days on one or more productions, and also the necessary skillset is required to upgrade. Your traineeship should be under a designer with the relevant skills and experience in line with the make-up department’s competency framework.
    While all work on set can be a learning experience and hold value, to uphold the high qualification standard of the department and the training received any work on short films or under make-up artists who do not meet the framework’s requirements will not be recognised as part of the 90 days.

  • Membership to the Irish Screen Make-up and Effects (ISME) Guild is currently available to those who have completed their traineeship.
    But this does not mean that trainees cannot benefit from the guild. ISME partners with Screen Ireland in creating courses for make-up artists of all levels, and these are open to members and non-members to participate.
    ISME also holds a database of trainees wishing to be contacted for work. This is for the benefit of both our members who may be looking for crew, and also new graduates who are looking for their first step into the industry. If you wish to join this database please see the form below.

  • Screen Ireland are putting on a Set Etiquette course for trainees in the film industry, info can be found here.

    Other helpful links:

    Building your kit

    Set Etiquette for Trainee Make-up Artists

 

Providing your contact details

Helps the guild to get in touch with you and also ensures you’re on a list of make-up trainees who are available and looking for work.
One of the hardest steps is getting your foot in the door and this ensures your name is available to Designers and Supervisors who are looking to crew up their departments.

You can also come back and update the information on this form letting us know how you’re progressing with your days as a trainee. This helps us to recommend trainees based on their experience and allow trainees to work through the process, gaining relevant training as efficiently as possible.