Advice for Someone Seeking This Job
"Finish high school FIRST! Get that diploma!" says Patterson.
"Hopefully, you will have had a chance to dabble in art and stage or
video production classes in high school. Take a stage makeup course in
college or community arts
class. Get grounded in color
theory because all elements in
production, from makeup, set
design, and wardrobe, to
camera, film or tape, and light-
ing, are based on both subtrac-
tive and additive color theory,
and the lighting is the interac-
tive medium. You must under-
stand gray value scale.
"One can opt to go to a
formal makeup-specific school
that is oriented to our industry,
but above all, practice your art
and skill once you acquire it,
and keep a brush busy in your
hand. Develop diverse skills.
"Check your ego at the door
and develop good interper-
sonal skills and business prac-
tices. Eighty percent of success
in this business is about public
relations, and the rest is talent
and skill. Good people skills
will get your foot in the door."
Professional Profile: Suzanne
Patterson, Media Makeup
Artist, Hair & Wardrobe
Styling, Creative Artistry & FX
"I always had a very cre-
ative photographic eye," says
Suzanne Patterson. An accom-
plished costume designer spe-
cializing in period clothing,
particularly from the Civil War
era, she built several authentic
What do you like
least about your job?
"For me, it is definitely
the long hours in film
production (especially on
shoots with 16 to 18 hour
days and little turn-
around time) and the long shooting schedule
(sometimes months at a time away from
home). It makes a huge difference in how the
crew works together, too. The atmosphere can
be like family or the `shoot from hell!' Video
and television is MUCH more sane; rarely
do I work more than eight hours, and the
location work is studio or regional, so I can
go home at night."--Suzanne Patterson
"There will always be politicking, and that
usually is a function of egos trying to climb
the ladder, or own it. But, it's all in the
way you handle that, and for me, I just
ignore it all and concentrate on more
serious things. One thing is for sure: you
are only as good as your next booked job."
--Suzanne Patterson
What do you love most
about your job?
Patterson loves people and makeup affords her
the opportunity to meet and work alongside
new and interesting individuals. She also loves
that her work is never mundane. "There is
such a variety in production. I am skilled to do
many things, from straight makeup to fantasy
alien effects and all the stuff in between, such
as glam, period, character, editorial, fashion,
stage, etc. I also do hair and wardrobe, so
there is a variety to keep me interested and
challenged."--Suzanne Patterson
VOICES OF
EXPERIENCE
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