There are four items to consider when choosing a make-up artist school: accreditation, faculty, specialized programs, and reputation or ranking. This type of school is usually organized within a large community college or can be a specialized program within a theater arts school. Upon completion of make-up artist school, graduates can look for employment opportunities in the theatrical and movie industries. Make-up artists can also create their own businesses, focused on a specific time period or special effect.
Make-up artist school is ideal for people who are naturally creative, enjoy working with people, and are inspired to create on a regular basis. Candidates who report the greatest satisfaction with make-up artist school are focused on a specific career path and are willing to work in an environment where long hours are required. Make-up artist careers are very dependent on the local entertainment industry. Keep a close eye on the level of activity in this sector. When it drops, start looking for other cities to work in.
When looking for a make-up artist school, check the accreditation status of the school. An accredited school has been reviewed by an independent third party. This is especially important for a skilled trade, as many employers require movie production staff to have recognized qualifications before hiring them. Courses from an accredited school can be transferred to other post-secondary institutions and only accredited schools are able to offer students access to government student aid programs.
Review the qualifications of the faculty or course instructors with care. Most schools post biographies of their course instructors on their websites. Review this information and look for both academic credentials and working experience. Make-up artist is a skilled trade, so it is not uncommon to find instructors with more working experience that academic certification. In addition, many instructors take courses in adult education to become better instructors.
Look for specialized programs or internships. Many make-up artist schools have partnerships with the movie and television industry, local theater, and special effects companies. These connections provide relevant, up-to-date training and opportunities for job placements. Take advantage and learn as much as possible from these programs. They will provide the ability to make important connections and obtain references that will be very useful in your employment search.
The reputation of the school is very important when choosing the best make-up artist school. Talk with make-up artists and movie producers to get a sense of the reputation of the school. Ask the admissions counselor about speaking with former graduates or employers. Review their comments and look at the quality of work produced by these graduates in films, TV shows, and productions.
