FAQs

Is There Work Out There For Me?

The simple answer to this is “yes”!
The media is one of the most lucrative businesses in the world. It is an ever growing and ever changing area.

The truth is that it’s tough starting out and breaking in to this career. You have to prove yourself and take a lot of knock backs when starting out. You will need to establish a good reputation and that takes time, patience and hard work. The most sought qualities in a good make-up artist are personality, reliability, punctuality, passion, loyalty, confidentiality, hard work, patience, easy going, friendly (with a diverse range of people), enthusiasm and also last but not least skill. Though practice makes perfect! If you want to succeed bad enough, then you will! You’ve just got to ask yourself how bad you want it!

Is It Very Competitive?

Yes and no! It depends on how you look at it. All careers have some level of competition, which is healthy as it makes you strive to succeed.

Many successful make-up artists work with others in a network. Helping each other by passing on jobs you can not do, sharing jobs and generally supporting each other.

Is It Well Paid?

It can be, although the first few years will be a struggle. You will need to have a secondary job to support yourself whilst starting out. Most make-up artists have a complimentary side line such as hairdressing, fashion styling or food/set styling. Once established and formed a good reputation the money is very satisfactory.

Who Will Help Me When I Finish My Course?

We will! Our school prides itself in our after care of graduates. We know how tough it is in the beginning and we will be here to support, guide advise and give you work when we can for the rest of your career.

We know how it feels to start out blind and we will not let you feel alone, de-motivated or drift. You must take up our offer of support, as it is constant, unconditional and genuine. We can only help you if you if you help yourself. Don’t sit at home stewing about the what, how and when’s, give us a call, send us an email, attend a careers day or better still arrange a time to come in and visit us, where we can sit and go through things together and get you sorted.

Will I Receive A Recognized Qualification From My Course?

Yes, you will receive a diploma when you have completed your course. Whether you have completed a 4 year Masters Degree in make-up or a 1 week course, the media industry does not recognize any qualifications. The crunch line is that where ever you train/ achieve a qualification the only important features are these.

• That the tutors who train you are well recognized and established professionals within industry. That they still have actively successful careers i.e. they are still working in the fields that you are aiming to work within (TV/ Film & Fashion)
• Your portfolio is the most crucial tool for gaining work. It is essential that you have a varied professional portfolio before even beginning to look for work. All areas of media will expect you to present your portfolio when attending go sees & interviews for jobs.
• It is crucial that you are well supported in the first few years of your career. You must be around people who are well connected, can advise and guide you constantly. Without this initial lifeline, many people lose their confidence and motivation. Please make sure that wherever you train, your provider can promise you solid support after your course has finished, for no extra fee. Remember, a good school or college should invest in the success of its graduates as it’s within the interest of the tutor’s reputations to ensure that your success promotes theirs too!

What Is The Difference Between Private Schools And Colleges?

Academic training is the main difference between state and private training. If you attend a 2 year BTEC or similar college course, in a college environment, you will be trained to follow a strict curriculum and perform to the requirements/ outlines of the college. Your training will be based mainly on academic assignments and your practical training will be much less.

A private school does not have the restraints of a governed curriculum and is free to teach you what industry will demand from you as a professional make-up artist. There will be no or little academic structure and your training will be all practically based. The quality of facilities, products and equipment may be of a higher standard in a private school as the courses are funded privately and not restricted by the state. Many private schools should have the benefit of several world renowned experts teaching your courses, as again funding is private. This also means that as your tutors should still actively work with media; you should have different experts teaching you while attending your course and not just one or two people. It is more difficult for a college to have renowned professionals teaching the courses as they require most of their tutors to commit to teaching rather than allow them to take their own freelance projects, which may then disrupt the curriculum.

Why Is The Course Short In Length & Will I Learn Enough In This Time Period?

In real time, the courses are not short in length. Remember that you will be in a workshop, hands on learning environment for 6 hours, 5 days a week. Generally the longer the course i.e. 6 – 12+ months, the more theory, academic work, assignments and self study will be involved. It is our opinion that the best form of learning is of practical nature, with constant support and guidance from those teaching you. You really need to ask yourself what you feel will work best/ benefit YOU the most.

Will You Give Me Work Experience?

If we can yes, however we can’t promise this to every student. It really depends on what projects we are working on at the time you are training with us. On most occasions, students attending the prosthetics course will get to work on a TV Drama or Film that we are currently working on. It may be possible for some students to assist/ shadow on jobs with the tutors. Students who do not get to work on professional jobs quite often keep in touch after their courses, letting us know weekly that they are keen and eager to help. In most cases, these graduates will return for work experience at a later date in the future.

We are able to put forward students of exceptional talent and attitude for paid trainee/ apprentice schemes at the BBC

Why Are The Courses So Expensive?

There are a few reasons why the courses are expensive. The main reason is the quality of tutors you will receive your training from are some of the finest in their fields. Another factor is your kit, which is packed with prestige products and included in the cost of your course. While training, you will work with the best facilities, products, resources and equipment used within industry. Your course will include the hire cost of professional models and Top Fashion Photographers.

I Don’t Live In Manchester/ Uk, How Can I Attend?

You can either relocate while attending your course or commute if the distance suits you. We have many students from around the world attending the courses.

Do You Have Other Schools In Other Cities?

No. There is only 1 school, based in Manchester England, as the schools principals Elaine Jones and Davy Jones also teach on the courses.

I Will Need To Relocate To Attend My Course, Who Will Help Me With Accommodation?

Most students arrange their own accommodation while attending their course. If you click on the accommodation page, this will link you to regulated accommodation sites for either student lodgings or Hotels and B&BS. We also have regular lodgings used by our students, please contact us for more information or help with finding accommodation.

Will You Provide Work For Me When I Leave?

No. Unfortunately, this is the one thing we cannot do. We can put you forward for jobs and give you work experience but the achievement of a successful career is down to you. But as we always say, we are no more special than anyone else and if we can do it, so can you!

Do You Have Open Days?

No. We advise any one interested in the courses to attend the school by appointment only. This is so that you can gain the most from your visit by spending quality time (normally 1-2 hours) with the tutors, one to one, looking around the school, watching the classes in action and experiencing the many gruesome delights being made in the prosthetic workshops. We personally feel that open days aren’t as beneficial, as you don’t get to really see the school in its true form, as there are no classes running, people don’t get to spend proper time with the tutors and your experience is generally rushed and vague. Attending a private appointment does not tie you into enrolling on any course.