How can you manage makeup and hair design during a production?

Makeup and hair design are essential elements of theatrical production that can enhance the characters, mood, and style of a show. However, managing them during a production can be challenging, especially if you have a large cast, multiple changes, or limited resources. In this article, you will learn some tips and tricks on how to plan, organize, and execute makeup and hair design during a production.

1 Know your script and vision

The first step to managing makeup and hair design is to know your script and vision. You need to understand the characters, their personalities, relationships, and transformations. You also need to consider the genre, period, and tone of the show. For example, a comedy may require more exaggerated and colorful makeup and hair than a drama. A historical piece may require more research and accuracy than a contemporary one. A fantasy or sci-fi show may require more creativity and innovation than a realistic one. Knowing your script and vision will help you determine the style, palette, and techniques of your makeup and hair design.

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Gwen Doreen Kubberness

Craft Fairs, Criminal Genealogy Speaker
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You should read through the script completely so you have an idea of what the set design and costume's will look like and then you need to know how the characters will look so you can have a make up person and hairstyle person on set to accommodate what will need to be done. I would try and find photos of hairstyles of that era being portrayed, to help with the hair styling. Make up should be determined by lighting and the era being portrayed as well.

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2 Collaborate with your team

The second step to managing makeup and hair design is to collaborate with your team. You need to communicate with the director, the costume designer, the lighting designer, and the actors to ensure that your makeup and hair design are consistent and complementary with the other aspects of the production. You also need to delegate tasks and responsibilities to your makeup and hair crew, and train them on how to apply, remove, and maintain the makeup and hair products. You should also have regular meetings and rehearsals to check the progress and quality of your makeup and hair design, and make adjustments as needed.

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Gwen Doreen Kubberness

Craft Fairs, Criminal Genealogy Speaker
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Communication is the key, you need to arrange time slots for these to be accomplished. You may need more than one make & hairstyle artist to accommodate how many cast members there are.

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DeAnna Schaefer

Senior Management
(edited)
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You have to see everyone and every thing coming into this. There are so many different aspects that you can think of. Also always depends on the environment of what you are trying to project. It’s an art and it’s always in the mind of the creator.

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3 Prepare your materials and space

The third step to managing makeup and hair design is to prepare your materials and space. You need to have a budget and a list of the makeup and hair products that you need for your production, and order or purchase them in advance. You also need to have a storage and organization system for your materials, such as containers, labels, and drawers. You need to have a designated area for your makeup and hair station, preferably close to the dressing rooms and the stage. You need to have enough mirrors, lights, chairs, tables, and outlets for your station, and keep it clean and tidy.

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Gwen Doreen Kubberness

Craft Fairs, Criminal Genealogy Speaker
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Have a space for the makeup and hair to be done lights will need to be available for makeup. You will need containers to hold all the things you will need for both hair & makeup and have them labeled, clear totes would work well for this as you can get so many different shapes and sizes and then you can see into them.

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4 Create your charts and schedules

The fourth step to managing makeup and hair design is to create your charts and schedules. You need to have a makeup and hair chart for each character, showing the details and instructions of their makeup and hair design for each scene or act. You can use photos, sketches, or samples to illustrate your charts, and display them in your station for easy reference. You also need to have a makeup and hair schedule for each performance, showing the timings and sequences of the makeup and hair changes for each character. You can use a spreadsheet or a calendar to create your schedule, and share it with your crew and actors.

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Gwen Doreen Kubberness

Craft Fairs, Criminal Genealogy Speaker
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I would make a scheduled onto a blank calendrer to print out so you can make many copies for those who need them. Try and work with the cast as best as you can, maybe the ones who have more difficult makeup and hairstyles should be done first and work out the scheduling accordingly.

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5 Practice your changes and troubleshoot

The fifth step to managing makeup and hair design is to practice your changes and troubleshoot. You need to rehearse your makeup and hair changes with your crew and actors, and time them to make sure they are fast and smooth. You also need to anticipate and solve any potential problems that may arise during the production, such as allergies, injuries, spills, or malfunctions. You need to have a backup plan and a emergency kit for your makeup and hair design, and be ready to improvise or adapt if necessary.

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6 Evaluate your results and feedback

The sixth step to managing makeup and hair design is to evaluate your results and feedback. You need to monitor and assess the effectiveness and impact of your makeup and hair design during the production, and see how they work with the costumes, the lighting, and the audience. You also need to collect and analyze the feedback from the director, the actors, the crew, and the reviewers, and learn from their praises and criticisms. You need to celebrate your successes and acknowledge your mistakes, and use them to improve your skills and knowledge for future productions.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you manage makeup and hair design during a production?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your script and vision

2 Collaborate with your team

3 Prepare your materials and space

4 Create your charts and schedules

5 Practice your changes and troubleshoot

6 Evaluate your results and feedback

7 Here’s what else to consider

Theatrical Production

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How can you manage makeup and hair design during a production?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your script and vision

2 Collaborate with your team

3 Prepare your materials and space

4 Create your charts and schedules

5 Practice your changes and troubleshoot

6 Evaluate your results and feedback

7 Here’s what else to consider

Theatrical Production

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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