Appendix D
MAKE-UP ARTIST EXAMINATIONS
Qualification in a union representing makeup artists consists of being able to prove a certain number of days of employment in the field as well as to take an examination in practical make-up artistry before a union committee to demonstrate the applicant’s ability. As the main production areas are New York City and Hollywood, both represented by different Locals of two different unions, IATSE and NABET, and all with different examination procedures, one must first select the work area in which he or she wishes to gain employment and the opportunities afforded by each. Intelligent business letters to each should be the first method of approach, asking for an application and/or an appointment with the business manager for an in-terview if feasible.
SCREENING COMMITTEES
Unions normally have screening committees that review applications before interviewing the prospects. It is to any Local’s advantage to consider carefully such applications so that the best talent is made available for their ranks and to increase the artistic potential of the Local. However, much depends upon the progressive attitude of the Business Manager (whose opinion is always given on these mat-ters) as to how unknown or new applicants are handled. It has always proven, in the long run, a serious disservice to itself for any unionized group to seriously restrict membership at any time, even in slow periods of work, as talent, like time, does not rest or wait as they will make opportunity. If any applicant feels that unfair treatment or undue favoritism was exhibited in the screening procedure, one does have access to the National Labor Relations Board (who have often ruled in favor of the individuals when a narrow attitude of employment is afforded by the local in question).
EXAMINING COMMITTEE
There are many union members who refuse to be on the Examining Committee because it often takes much volunteer time for the work entailed. However, it is the most important committee function of any Local, and great care should be taken with its member-ship. All examiners, without exception, should either have taken such an examination or have performed all the work entailed in its procedures. It is enormously unfair for any applicant to take an examination before Examining Committee members who have not done and possibly could not do every phase of the examination during a work day themselves.
The Examining Committee should consist of three make-up artist members in good standing (who are not union officers, paid, or craft representatives), with two alternates selected to fill in when a regular member cannot attend an examination for one reason or another. This Examining Committee need not be rotated on a fixed periodic limit if it operates properly, although the membership of the Local should have the privilege of asking for a new committee to be formed if they feel that the present one is not operating properly.
One of the most difficult problems of an examiner is to be completely fair in judging an applicant’s work. Examiners cannot inflict personality problems (either their own or the applicant’s) into the procedure of talent judgment and must, in all instances, judge the completed work of an applicant with proper perspective and fairness. The main question should always be: “Can the applicant’s work fully represent the art and craft of the Local in a job on the very next day if he or she is allowed to pass?” Only “Yes” should suffice.
REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS
After filling out the application for the union and requesting an examination, the applicant must appear before the Screening Committee. The applicants should be ready to show pictures of their work, proof of their employment requirements, and maybe show what their make-up kit looks like. Completeness of these essentials should be judged along with the personality and appearance of the applicant. Just having the tools of the trade does not make a professional make-up artist, but it does show a basic step toward this end.
Once the applicants have been screened and are ready to take an examination, then a date should be set up at which at least two and not more than six applicants are to be examined at the same time. The frequency of such examinations should be at least every six months when applicants are available.
On the day of the examination, applicants must present themselves ready to work, with two models, one male and one female, furnished at their expense and selection. A tip for applicants: A very attractive female with few, if any, facial problems and a male with some character lines in the face, no facial hair, and a normal haircut are best. It is also best to select Caucasian models as more changes can be made on their faces for the examination procedures. Applicants must have a full makeup kit and the hair goods necessary for the examination as well as any appliances that may be required. They must have paid all the fees necessary to the Local and otherwise be in good standing with the union’s re-quirements. It is the strict responsibility of the union to provide a proper space, lighting, chair, and mirror for each applicant. It is extremely unfair to expect applicants to work in inadequate conditions when they are asked to show their work to enter the union. Union members have the right to complain if the producer does not furnish proper make-up rooms, so why shouldn’t the applicants have the same privilege?
PAYMENTS BY APPLICANTS FOR EXAMINATION
Although some Locals do not pay Examiners, it is wrong for any applicant or Local to expect that a make-up artist examiner should give up a day or more of time to serve on the Examining Committee or to expect the Local to pay the Examiners to serve. Such expense should be borne by the applicants. A fee of at least $ 100 should be required, with at least half this amount going to the examiners and the remainder to the Local for administrative work and securing a proper place for the examination. The fee should be an individual one and not be returnable in case of failure in the examination. Once again, applicants will think twice before requesting an examination if they must bear its cost and will have the tendency to prepare themselves fully. It also places the Local under the responsibility to provide adequate examination prem-ises and conditions. An applicant who fails the examination should have to wait at least 90 to 180 days before being allowed to take another.
Although most applicants for any form of examination will be subject to apprehension and nervousness, it is only in the work completed that an examiner may judge the talent of the applicant. Whatever system of point grading is employed, the percentage rating of a passing grade should not be less than 80 percent. If the applicant fails to complete any project or part of the examination in the required time, no points should be allowed and, if done, only for one project or part of the examination. These circumstances must be agreed upon by all examiners present.
No applicant should be informed as to the progress or marks of the examination until it is completed. Telling an applicant that he or she is passing or failing at any time during the examination is unfair.
CATEGORIES WITHIN A LOCAL
Some Locals may set up certain categorical groups such as department heads, charge make-up artists, assistant make-up artists, and so on, employing seniority of membership or status, work ability, or area of work (film, television, or stage), and may require an examination to rise to a higher category within the Local’s work structure.
Such categories should not be harmful or restrictive to the talent advancement of any member, and they should be carefully administered and designed to provide fairness and opportunity potential. In today’s similarity between the make-up requirements of all mediums, any examination should be as strict as another and standards not lowered in any manner or for any medium.
PERIOD OF EXCAMINATION
The suggested examination (which is designed for one full day) may be extended to two or even three days of time, with all elective projects required as well as additional hair and prosthetic work, if it is believed that such a competitive level of demonstration of ability is necessary. This is based, of course, on the needs and requirements of an individual Local, but the decision should be the norm and not used solely to make one particular examination more difficult than another. Due to considerably more character work being performed in the California area of production, the extended examination time is the case, while in New York City, both unions require only a one-day examination at this time. No examination should, however, consist of less than the stated requirements and projects.
EXAMINERS’ MARKING PROCEDURE
All three examiners must mark independently and not compare individual scores until the examination is fully completed. A scoring card should be made for each applicant and the final score for each be an average of the three examiners’ marks. Applicants should have the right only to total scores, and such should be posted in the Local’s office within three days. As most examiners know within an hour or so what the final scores are, there should be little reason to make an applicant wait two or three weeks for the marks. Examiners’ score cards must be filed with the Local after being signed by the person who scored the card.
NOTIFICATION OF APPLICANTS
Those who pass the examination should then follow the union’s procedure for membership, while those who fail should either ask to be placed on the list for the next examination or seriously re-assess their desire to be a professional make-up artist.
To make the examination more comprehensive, the three electives can be made required, with 5 points given for each exercise and the time extended an additional hour. If this is done, it should be standard and constant and not done for just a certain or single group of applicants.
As can be totalled, the score available is 100 points, and at least 80 points are required for a passing grade. Written, oral, and kit account should go for 20 points, straight make-up for 20 points, and 60 points for character make-up.
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Mr. Kehoe’s qualifications to discuss these procedures are based on his 25 years of membership in the New York City IATSE and having been on the Examining Committees for over ten years, in addition to heading and writing their Apprentice Training Program. As well, he formulated the first examination procedures for the New York NABET Local as well as holding a card in that union under various categories for 20 years. His original professional book on make-up, published over 25 years ago, was the bible of study for the majority of union members all over the world.