IELTS Listening · Cam 21

Test 1 Part 2

Hello and welcome to the filmmaking podcast. In this week's episode,

Level: C1 · 77 sentences

Transcript

Hello and welcome to the filmmaking podcast.
In this week's episode,
Claire Lamar talks to us about how to become a makeup artist.
Claire has been working as a makeup artist
in the film industry for over 20 years and
has lots of useful advice about how to get started.
Thanks, Ian. Before you can become a makeup artist on films,
you have to spend about two years working as a makeup trainee.
A good place to get your first job
would be on a low-budget short film.
Of course, this means that you'll be working for free,
but it's often worth it for the experience.
Make sure your transport costs are covered, and remember,
there's very unlikely to be any catering provided,
so bring plenty of food.
If you're lucky, you might start out on a big-budget film
where you'll get the most useful experience.
On productions like this, makeup and hairstyling are separate departments,
so you won't need to bring your curling tongs.
But you're likely to get the opportunity to work
with a range of age groups as well as different ethnicities.
Doing makeup for special effects is highly specialized.
so don't expect to be offered any practical experience in that.
One problem with working in the makeup department is that
it's a high-pressure environment.
There are very few times when you'll be bored
or have nothing to do.
It can be stressful,
but you'll see that the top makeup artists are very professional,
even when they're having to work with directors who
are impatient or unhappy with the makeup artist's work.
Follow your supervisor's lead and try to remain calm at all times.
I've worked with many very famous actors over the years.
At first, I found it overwhelming and could hardly speak.
I was so in awe.
That's preferable, by the way, to becoming too excited
and asking for selfies.
Now, meeting the talent is just a normal part of the job.
And to be honest, most actors don't look
that special without all the makeup.
Every makeup trainee will need a makeup kit,
which they'll be expected to have with them at all times.
Just the essentials will do for the kinds
of tasks you'll be given.
It won't be anything complicated.
It's worth looking at what the other makeup artists
have in their kits.
But whatever you do, don't borrow anything without asking first.
You won't need to get photos printed.
So what does a makeup trainee actually do?
You need to think about whether you're the right
kind of person to do the job and whether you'd enjoy it.
So to give you some idea,
here are some of the things you might be required to do.
You may be asked to help prep an actor ready for makeup.
Some actors will arrive having already cleansed and moisturized their skin.
But sometimes you'll need to step in and
get this done without wasting any time.
Otherwise, the makeup artist will get behind schedule.
Trainees play a useful role in continuity.
It will be your responsibility to take photos, log them digitally,
and print out a hard copy to put in each actor's file.
This information needs to be kept in good order,
as a reshoot can mean replicating makeup months later.
General duties mean doing anything from getting the teas
and coffees to putting on a wash.
Having a positive attitude and being willing to do
whatever is asked of you will help you get
your next film job.
You won't be asked to apply makeup to any
of the principal cast, only the extras.
If there are dozens of extras involved,
you'll need to keep up a swift pace
and not spend too long on each person.
It takes quite a lot of confidence to be
able to do this well.
OK, now about terms and conditions.