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Are you interested in the Makeup and Film industry looking to study a makeup artist course in Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney?  Here are some hot tips from professionals to kickstart your career in one of the busiest creative industries!

1. Look for a training academy offering professional makeup courses such as short courses or full diploma courses and that focuses on quality with direct industry connection and a course outline that covers the skills to support your area of interest with current industry expert trainers, is a great place to start.
2. Ensure the school is industry recognised and well known. Each school will select a number of units to teach their students. Make sure that the training program the school offers meets your expectations and industry needs. Is this training school nationally recognised? Nationally recognised schools are monitored for their quality and the tuition they deliver to their students. Qualified trainers have a duty of care to follow the benchmarked guidelines which ensures skilled graduates. All assessment and training programs’ criteria are frequently reviewed to ensure they are current within the industry.
3. What type of assessments and work should you submit to your trainers? Ask about the assessment projects and process: Will there be photoshoots? Will you need to add elements and accessories in your assessments? This should give you an idea about the workflow and what you will be assessed against.
4. Research your trainers: It is a good idea to ask the school who your trainers are and their experiences within the industry. Most of the trainers have significant experience in film, fashion, TV, and freelance work and continue to work in the industry. You should always have trainers who are specialised in their field, some makeup artists work for a range of makeup styles, including SPFX, bridal and hair, but others are more specialised in a particular area. It is also a good opportunity to explore the schools opportunities and support for work experience whilst developing skills and building your industry networks Many trainers will support and encourage students to attend their personal jobs for students to experience a day on set, first hand.
5. Check past students’ work: You can look at the work from previous students through their school’s social media page. The student’s accomplishments are a great example of the quality of teaching and type of work they are producing during their makeup course. You should compare the work between the schools you are interested in.
6. Have a close look at the program: Not all schools teach SPFX or prosthetics due to the material costs and availability of specialised trainers. If you are interested in working in the film industry or want to have a broad skill set. SPFX and prosthetics and created specifically for film and TV and are not the same as Halloween makeup! Make sure the course outline includes moulding, casting and sculpting techniques!
7. Request a campus tour: The best way to get a feel for a potential makeup school is to organise a campus tour and meet with the team. This will allow you to see the school and classrooms in person, and what facilities they provide. This can be done by simply calling the school and requesting a campus tour!
8. Enquire about the costs! If the makeup school is approved to offer VET Student Loans, you might be eligible to get government loans to help you support the cost of the tuition. You should also ask if there are any extra costs to be expected in the year: is the kit included? Do you need to purchase any additional products throughout the duration of the course? These are all great things to know before you commit to enrolling in a course.

Enjoy and get excited! Choosing the right school and makeup course for you as an individual is one of the first, and most important steps you will take as you enter this exciting chapter and career path. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. And most importantly, have fun.