Meet Annie Little, the hair and makeup junior for the Small Axe collection of films on BBC One.
My name's Annie Little and on Small Axe I was the hair and makeup junior. I went to the local Job Centre, put in all my interests and out came makeup artist.
I'd always had an interest in hair and hair styling, and any time any of my little nieces came over to the house they'd always leave with a different hairstyle so there was a clue there.
I was very much into Hollywood movies and fashion and colour. Up until that point I'd never even heard of the job, so I didn't even know it was an option for me, but it fit me perfectly.
Makeup artist was a new criteria or category for me. I didn't link it to film at all. So my work at the time going through college was fashion, theatre…yeah and I just thought film was off limits to me.
I'd say go for it, really. The thing about it is if you don't see it you don't know it. Depending on where you've come from,you may think film and television is not a career for you or you can't aspire to that career or you can't reach that career.
But I would say go for it, 'cos it's possible. If you possibly can, get a day on a film set because until you're actually there,it's all very glamorous and very romantic, but once you're there you really get to see the ins and outs of it and it will tell you very quickly whether you are made for it, whether you're going to enjoy it and then when you actually are hired, you're not so much like afish out of water.
The job as a junior is to the makeup artists. For example, working on Small Axe my day might involve getting in early, setting up, doing my actors hair and makeup, or it could mean helping the makeup artist prep the hair for a wig,then following the actor down to set, making sure that they look okay just before they go on screen, covering set, doing ,that sort of thing, yeah.You might not get a tonne of hands-on in the beginning and you kind of have to earn that but you're in the environment and that's what you shouldn't forget.
You can learn a lot on the job, and every day really is a learning experience. But I would say fundamentally you should havea basic understanding of hairdressing and makeup. I think you can come to this job from different avenues. I trained as a wig makerand so that has become a very useful skill to have on set. If you're a barber, you could be even a nail technician, you know there are different ways to get on or different skills that you can use.
I didn't realise that there wasn't as much diversity in the film industry, in cast and crew, it just really didn't occur to me. And so with the current conversations and the jobs that I've been on, I do realise that there could be more diversity. And I think it's important toreflect the world that's out there. And especially if you're telling diverse stories, I think it's highly important that you have a diverse crew.
Definitely standing back, just in like, the lunch queue,and then you've got people who are dressed up, you know, in their costumes, right? And they've got these great hairstyles, who could be your auntie or your mum or your dad from the past, just sort of, y'know, queuing up at the lunch queue. Just that sort of image will stand with me. Another good moment for me, I was in line for my choc ice and Steve McQueen comes up and we had a bit of a, a tiny bit of a conversation, that was, kind of, a nice genuine moment that I won't forget. That was kinda cool.
What is the day in the life of a junior hair and makeup artist like?
My day might involve getting in early, setting up, doing my actors' hair and makeup, or it could mean helping a makeup artist prep the hair for a wig then following the actor down to set and making sure they look okay before they go on screen. You might not get a tonne of hands-on (experience) in the beginning, and you kind of have to earn that, but you're in the environment and that's what you shouldn't forget.
How did you get into hair and makeup?
I went to the local jobcentre, put in all my interests and out came makeup artist. I'd always had an interest in hair and hair styling, and anytime any of my little nieces came over to the house they'd always leave with a different hairstyle, so there was a clue there. I was very much into Hollywood movies, and fashion and colour. Up until that point, I'd never even heard of the job so I didn't know it was an option for me, but it fits me perfectly.
Do you need any qualifications or have to study certain subjects?
You can learn a lot on the job, and every day is a learning experience, but I would say, fundamentally, you should have a basic understanding of hairdressing and makeup. I think you can come to this job from different avenues: I trained as a wig maker, so that has become a very useful skill to have on set.
Why is it important to have diversity in the cast and crew?
I didn't realise that there wasn't as much diversity in the film industry, or in cast and crew. It just really didn't really occur to me. But with current conversations and the jobs that I've been on, I do realise that there could be more diversity. I think it's important to reflect the world that's out there, and especially if you are telling diverse stories, I think it's highly important to have a diverse crew.
Have you got any advice for someone who wants to work in film hair and makeup?
I'd say go for it, really. The thing about it is if you don't see it, you don't know it. Depending on where you've come from, you may think that film and television is not a career for you or you can't aspire to that career, or you can't reach that career. But I would say go for it because it is possible. If you possibly can, get a day on a film set. It might seem all very glamorous and very romantic, but once you are there, you see the ins and outs of it and that will quickly tell you if you are made for it… then when you are actually hired you aren't so much like a fish out of water.
Annie is a hair and makeup junior. A similar role is a makeup artist. Makeup artists apply make-up and style hair for people appearing on camera or in front of a live audience.
What to expect if you want to be a makeup artist
- Makeup artist average salary: Variable. You could be freelance/self-employed.
- Makeup artist typical working hours: 38 to 40 hours per week
What qualifications do you need to be a makeup artist?
You could get into this role via a university course, a college course (such as a Level 2 certificate or a Level 3 Diploma, or a T-level in Hair, Beauty and Aesthetics - England-only, from Sept 2023), an apprenticeship, volunteering, or working towards the role by starting out as a trainee, getting experience in salon, wedding and events make-up, or building a professional portfolio to demonstrate your skills. You can also do specialist make-up and beauty courses through private beauty schools.
Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service, GOV.UK
This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed and the GOV.UK website for more on T-levels.
Take a look at the ScreenSkills guide to becoming a hair and makeup artist
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
Work experience in your area
Find work experience placements with Workfinder.
Tips and advice
Help with interviews, writing a CV and all things work experience related.
Jessica: makeup brand founder. video
Jessica founded an inclusive makeup brand.
Amrita: prosthetic makeup artist
Amrita's a prosthetic (or special effects) makeup artist who's worked on films and TV shows.
Colleen: costume designer. video
Meet multi-Oscar-award-winning costume designer, Colleen Atwood, who designed the costumes for the Fantastic Beasts films.
