Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to design, apply and remove standard make-up for productions in the screen, media and entertainment industries.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application of the unit 

Make-up artists apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit, which covers the design, application and removal of standard make-up for performers and/or talent appearing in films, television shows or photographic shoots.

Creativity is the key to being a successful make-up artist, along with the ability to design make-up that meets production requirements and brings out, or builds on, the subject's best features. Good communication skills are also essential, since make-up artists need to create a work environment where performers and/or talent feel at ease.

Depending on the nature of the job, a make-up artist can work alone, as an assistant to a more senior colleague or as part of a make-up design team. Employment is usually on a contract basis and hairstyling skills are often required.

More complex skills associated with the application of period, specialised and special effects make-up are covered in:

• CUFMUP501A Design and apply specialised make-up
• CUFMUP502A Design and apply special make-up effects.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Design make-up

1. In consultation with relevant personnel  and with reference to production documentation , confirm make-up requirements for performers and/or talent

2. Generate a range of ideas for make-up designs that provide creative solutions to production requirements 

3. Identify factors  that may have an impact on make-up designs for productions , including special requirements  for performers/talent

4. Prepare costings for make -up products  and equipment and seek approval for expenditure as required

5. Prepare make -up plans  after reaching agreement about make-up designs with relevant personnel

6. Ensure make-up products and equipment are available according to production schedules

Prepare to apply make-up

7. Lay out work area to ensure quick and efficient application of make-up

8. Use and care for make-up products and equipment according to manufacturer recommendations

9. Dress performer/talent with required protective covering to protect hair and clothes

10. Use suitable cleansing product to cleanse performer's face

11. Implement health and hygiene requirements  during preparation of make-up and cleansing procedure

Apply and maintain make-up

12. Ensure performer's comfort is maintained during make-up application and they are protected from hazards

13. Apply products in sequence with appropriate applicators according to the make-up plan and health and hygiene requirements

14. While applying make-up, explain procedures and products to performers/talent as required

15. Check that the final effect meets production requirements

16. Identify and implement health and hygiene requirements during preparation, application and maintenance of make-up

17. Make required adjustments quickly and accurately at appropriate times during productions

Remove make-up

18. Explain make-up removal procedures to performers/talent

19. Remove make-up using appropriate cleansing products

20. Ensure that performers' comfort is maintained during make-up removal and that they are protected from hazards

21. Wash, disinfect or discard make -up equipment , as appropriate

22. Clean and leave work areas in the original or an improved condition

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• communication, literacy and teamwork skills sufficient to:

• deal with performers/talent tactfully and respectfully
• discuss with performers/talent their preferences and sensitivities regarding skin care
• consult with production personnel about make-up issues to ensure creative and technical production requirements are met
• inform performers/talent of the procedures for applying, touching up and removing make-up
• relate to people from diverse backgrounds and people with diverse abilities
• interpret a range of workplace documentation
• prepare and update make-up plans

• initiative, enterprise and creativity in the context of:

• creating and refining make-up design concepts
• adjusting make-up requirements as required

• problem solving skills in the context of recognising and responding appropriately to general and local contra-indications, including those that indicate referral to an appropriateprofessional
• planning and organising skills sufficient to:

• use time effectively to control product waste
• meet deadlines
• select and acquire make-up products and equipment to meet production requirements

• technical skills sufficient to use the internet for research
• numeracy skills sufficient to:

• budget in relation to design concepts and make-up requirements
• estimate the quantity of products required
• estimate the time required to apply make-up

• self-management skills sufficient to:

• work under pressure
• follow manufacturer specifications and enterprise policies and procedures

Required knowledge 

• industry knowledge, including:

• roles and responsibilities of personnel in productions in the relevant industry sector
• issues and challenges that arise in the context of providing make-up services

• well-developed understanding of the interrelationship between face and body shapes and the elements and principles of make-up application
• well-developed understanding of the following:

• effects of natural/artificial lighting on make-up
• colour design principles
• colour wheel, primary, secondary, complementary colours, grey scale
• tonal value
• tone, value, hue and shade

• knowledge of cosmetic chemistry/ingredients in relevant make-up products particularly in regard to their likely effects on the skin
• techniques for determining the physical appearance of:

• various skin types
• normal skin
• abnormal skin
• minor skin blemishes

• awareness of the effect of changes created by specific make-up products and colour application techniques
• awareness of the effect of changes created by lighting and how make-up colours appear on the screen
• OHS requirements as they apply to applying make-up

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• development of make-up plans that demonstrate an ability to:

• identify and deal with requirements of performers/talent
• select appropriate products and application techniques
• incorporate colour design principles into make-up designs
• take production environment into account when designing make-up
• meet production requirements

• consistent application of local health and hygiene requirements/regulations in relation to make-up services
• consistent application of OHS practices in regard to the provision of make-up services
• correct make-up product application and removal techniques
• collaborative approach to work
• ability to communicate effectively with performers/talent in relation to make-up application.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• practical demonstration of skills through a range of make-up design and application tasks for at least three productions
• access to a range make-up products and equipment as listed in the range statement
• access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required
• use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
• evaluation of make-up plans prepared by the candidate to determine whether production requirements have been met and correct procedures and make-up products have been identified
• observation of the candidate applying make-up in a production context
• written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit.

Guidance information for assessment 

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• BSBOHS407A Monitor a safe workplace
• CUFMUP402A Maintain make-up and hair continuity
• CUFMUP403A Style hair for a performance or production.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant personnel  may include:

• continuity personnel
• costume designer and wardrobe personnel
• designer
• director
• director of photography
• floor manager
• hairdresser
• lighting designer and lighting personnel
• make-up supervisor/other make-up personnel
• performers/talent
• producer
• production manager
• special effects make-up designer and maker
• technical director
• other technical/specialist staff.

Production documentation  may include:

• call sheets
• costume break-down lists
• costume plots
• make-up plan
• manufacturer guidelines
• product labels
• production schedule
• running sheets
• script
• stock orders.

Production requirements  may include:

• camera angles/shots, e.g.:

• extreme close-up
• close-up
• mid shot
• long shot
• wide shot
• high-angle
• eye-level shot
• low-angle

• health and hygiene requirements
• lighting effects
• production schedule
• specifications from designers and directors
• venue requirements
• other technical considerations.

Factors  may include:

• availability of personnel
• availability of resources
• available budget
• locations, e.g.:

• studio
• interior
• exterior
• outside broadcast
• day
• night
• sound stage

• production schedule
• production values
• production/program style
• public profile of performer/talent
• timelines.

Productions  may include:

• commercials
• documentaries
• feature films
• filmed events or performances
• live or pre-recorded television productions
• live performances
• music video
• short films
• television productions
• theatrical productions.

Special requirements  may include:

• contagious skin disorders, e.g.:

• bacterial infections
• viral infections
• fungal infections

• contra-indications/precautions, e.g.:

• contagious and non-contagious
• sunburn
• trauma
• bruises
• cosmetic and general surgery
• other visible non-normal skin

• duration of the make-up application
• duration of the performance
• non-contagious conditions, e.g.:

• acne
• dermatitis
• eczema
• allergies

• performers' histories
• removal of body or facial hair
• skin type/condition, e.g.:

• normal
• dry
• combination
• sensitive
• mature
• pigmented
• colour and tone

• wearing of contact lenses.

Make -up products  may include:

• blushes
• cleansers
• concealers
• eyeshadows (matte/frosted)
• fixative
• foundation (liquid/solid)
• lipsticks/lip glosses
• mascaras (powder, liquid, wand or block)
• moisturisers
• pencils
• powders
• pre make-up products and stabilisers
• protective gels and creams
• sunscreen
• toners.

Make -up plan  may include:

• areas requiring correction/camouflage
• colour design
• context, e.g.:

• single appearance
• location
• dramatic considerations
• lighting
• camera angles/shots

• continuity issues
• face shape
• highlighting/shading techniques
• known allergies
• location, e.g.:

• interior
• exterior
• studio

• make-up products and equipment
• product application procedures
• testing arrangements.

Health and hygiene requirements  may include:

• commonwealth, state and territory OHS regulations
• regulations in the cosmetic environment, e.g.:

• sterilisation and sanitation procedures
• storage and handling of hazardous substances

• protective clothing and substances in the workplace.

Make -up equipment  may include:

• airbrushes
• artificial lashes
• containers
• cotton buds
• hairclips and bands
• lash curlers
• magnifying mirror
• make-up box
• make-up remover pads
• moist towelettes
• pallets or tiles
• pencil sharpener
• powder puffs
• protective bibs and smocks
• spatulas
• sponges, brushes, applicators
• tissues
• towels
• trays
• tweezers.

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Visual communication - make-up

Co-requisite units