The Electrician and the Makeup Artist Should be Friends

One of my favorite bloggers has an interesting post about hairdryers and electricity. Even if you don't know a lot about electricity, it helps to know how much power you are really using! Of course, we may be at cross purposes, because the higher wattage a dryer is, the faster your hair dryers, so the less exposure to damaging heat.

This of course, calls to mind an experience I had a few years back. One of the first things I learned on set is that before you plug anything in, you check with the Best Boy Electric. Because I work on low-budget films, I am often (okay, always) the makeup artist and the hairstylist. And, because I work on low-budgets, I don't get one of those cushy hair and makeup trailers you think of. I get a bedroom. Or a kitchen. Or a park bench. Or the bathroom (and whenever a well-meaning but clueless AD or PM tries to put me there, I desperately try to find a different spot. Imagine trying to do hair and makeup on talent and being interrupted every time a crew member has to 'go.' And remember that crew members drink A LOT of coffee.

Anyway, on this one film we were in a Brooklyn apartment for a week. It was September, but it was hot! Like a good girl, I would talk to Billy every day to find out what and where I could plug in. He appreciated that and knew that we were both professionals in a land of fools. One day, I knew I wouldn't need to plug in at all, and good thing too...Billy was having a hard time keeping all the lights on (and because this was a low-budget, he was also Gaffer and 1st AC). So, Billy very specifically asked me NOT to use a certain outlet. No problem. Until the AD came back to the makeup/holding area/craft service room. Remember, it was a hot September. He wanted to plug in a floor fan....in the forbidden outlet. I told him no, Billy said not to. We went back and forth, I insisting that the outlet was not to be used, he insisting that it would be okay. I thought the issue was settled. I turned my back. He plugged in. The circuit blew.

No, I was not blamed.

Ther point is, when using a lot of wattage on your hair, have a basic idea of how your electricity works. Even at home, there is only one circuit I use for my hairdryer-the other circuit in my room has too much going on.

No Apple?

Every so often you have an experience that reminds you of why you do what you do. Today I had one of these.

The theatre I work for has a summer program: Musical Theater for High School Students, and today it was my turn to teach a class-in stage makeup, of course!

We had so much fun! Thirteen teenage girls, me, and a room full of makeup. Everybody (except me!) left with a face of full, basic stage makeup. Some of the girls needed no direction at all, and some were absolute beginners. We went off my class plan a little bit, like when I demonstrated (on myself) how to cover a tattoo. The girls were all beautiful when they came in, and when they left, they were ready to hit the stage. I can't wait to see their final performance on Friday night. They are all such an enthusiastic bunch, and so dedicated to the theatre. Maybe someday, I can say "I knew her when......"

This is they syllabus I designed:

Stage Makeup
The purpose of makeup for the stage is two-fold: to accentuate the features of the face, as stage lights and distance can make it hard for the audience to discern features without makeup; and to assist in creating a character.
Because most of you will be playing multiple roles in Les Miserables, we will be focusing on a simple, basic makeup to accentuate your features.
Before we start with makeup application, a few words about hygiene. To prevent acne, infection, and disease, there are a few basic rules to follow:
-Never put your fingers in a makeup container. Use a brush or tool.
-Don’t double dip! This will put germs into the makeup container.
-Don’t use a product the smells funny-this means it is old and could cause a reaction.
Basic Makeup Application
Step 1: apply foundation that matches your skin tone. For Les Miserables, we can actually go slightly lighter than your natural skin tone. This will aid our character development.
If necessary, use a concealer to cover blemishes, red spots, and under eye circles. Again, for Les Mis, we don’t need to cover under eye circles.
Set with powder that matches your foundation. Note: if you are using a cream blush, this should be applied before powder. If using a powder blush, apply after face powder.
Blush: for our purposes, we will be using a natural color blush-nothing bright, dark, or shimmery!
Eyes: Start with a flesh toned color all over the lid-lashes to brow. Next, and darker neutral tone-Brown, beige, grey etc, in the crease of the eye. Blend well. Next, a neutral liner (brown, black or grey) on upper and lower lash lines. Finally, mascara.
Lips: A neutral flesh tone-medium toned.