Being called in as a daily hire for commercials is similar to film. There are a few changes that you would need to be aware of. Call sheets are not as extensive, and tend to have all information on the front, sometimes with a storyboard attached so you know how the commercial is being shot. You do not have to worry about bringing in copies of your IDs. Copies might be made for you by production, but even that might not happen. A day rate is also decided on between yourself and the Producers. What you charge is up to you, but never go below the asking rate. Remember that the less you charge, the more people perceive you as someone who is not in demand. When assisting another Makeup Artist, he or she will tell you what they have in the budget for you. Working with another pro is a good experience. Working by yourself means more responsibility, so remember to keep your rates where they should be. You’ll be asking for a flat day rate, with overtime after 10 hours and a kit fee. If you are with a makeup agency, your representative will work out everything for you. After a rate is agreed upon, the agency or Producers might ask for a resume, reel, or CD of your work. This happens mostly if you have never worked with the agency or Producers before, and they want to get an idea of what your makeup looks like in print, and who you have worked for in the past.
Makeup Kits for Day Checking
Day checking, or daily hire, means you are called in one day at a time. Even though you might get a heads-up on more days, don’t count on it. Anything can happen. Although there are people who consider day checking to be the least important part of the Crew, that way of thinking is a big mistake. Department heads recognize the importance of their daily-hire Crew. In general a department head that values their crew, runs a more efficient crew and gets better results in the final outcome of the makeup look desired for the film. As a matter of fact, on a large feature film or project that Makeup Artists want to be involved with, they often work as Day Checkers. Skill is so important on this level, for often you are left alone to make your own judgment calls.
The right makeup kit for the right job is also important. If a department head has phoned ahead to recommend bringing very little or just what is needed, take heed to that request. The department head knows what is going on with their shoot. There is always time to bring in a larger makeup kit if you are hired for more days, or if you are assigned a specialized makeup procedure such as laying down sideburns for a period
piece. You most likely have had conversations with the department head on any special makeup to bring with you.
Every now and then, a production comes to town and the Makeup Department has not expressed to you what it is you will be doing or what to bring. Doing a little research on the production gives you a feel for the time period of the movie, and you can bring what you feel is needed.
The following Makeup Kit will cover you in all your needs as a Day Checker or union Makeup Artist (Figure 12.3). If you are working a non-union production, this same Makeup Kit would apply, but with the addition of hair products. Every Makeup Artist has their favorite products, and no one or another is wrong. The products listed below are listed because they are popular with other working Makeup Artists—we are constantly trying out or using products that have been suggested by other professionals. I would also suggest that you buy small sizes that can be refilled, or products in tubes, or use small labeled
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FIGURE 12-3: A TREATMENT BAG AND FILM DAY – CHECKER BAG AND CHAIR |
containers to fill with your favorite products. Remember to stay portable!
NOTE: most artists have a makeup kit or case, a makeup bag with additional supplies (including a treatment bag), a set bag or case, and a set chair. The average pieces are three. Some artists are great packers and have it down to two!
Gretchens Treatment Products for the Treatment Bag
• Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer for all skin
types
• Kiehl’s Sodium PCA Oil-Free Moisturizer (for those who do not want any oil added to the surface of their skin)
• Kiehl’s Cucumber Herbal Alcohol Free Toner (transfer to a smaller bottle, or use the travel size and refill from the large 16.9-ounce container when needed)
• Kiehl’s Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion (transfer to a smaller bottle, or use the travel size and refill from the large 16.9- ounce container when needed)
• Kiehl’s Close Shavers Shaving Formula #31-0
• Kiehl’s Ultimate Brushless Shaving Cream
• Terax Body Moisturizing Shaving Cream
• Kiehl’s Men’s Alcohol-Free Herbal Toner
• Clinique Skin Supplies for Men, M Shave Aloe Gel
• Remington Face Shaver Pre Shave Poudre
• Kiehl’s Washable Cleansing Milk for Dry, or Normal to Dry, or Sensitive skin types
• L’annine Hand and Body Creme
• Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 with Sunscreen
• 
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser Makeup Remover
• Lancome Bi-Facial Double Action Eye Makeup Remover
• Evian Eau Minerale Naturelle Spray
• DHC Coenzyme Q10 Water Mist
• Travel-size container of witch hazel
• Sephora Makeup Brush Cleansing Wipes
• DHC Makeup Off Sheets
• Wet Ones Moisture Wipes Travel Pack
• Murad Day Reform Treatment (works well to apply on the skin before airbrushing)
• Sunscreen SPF 45 or higher
• Rubbing alcohol in a small bottle
• Natura Bisse Sponges
• Small, clean towels
• Eye Tees Precision Makeup Applicators
• Small scissors for cutting cuticles
• Larger scissors for all-around use
• Diamancel Nail File
• Disposable shavers
• No shred cotton pads
• Sugar-free gum or mints in a variety of flavors and brands
• Norelco trimmer
• Tissues
Set Bag
The contents of a set bag or case is an individual’s preference. You can be on-set for long lengths of time, and might not be able to get back to base camp if you have forgotten an item. Also, it depends on if you are watching large background scenes or one or two individuals. Try to keep your set
Makeup Artist Jenny King Turko suggests covering up your powder puff with a Kleenex tissue. After touch-ups, toss the tissue away and put a new one around the powder puff. This way, you can touch up large crowds without contaminating other people.
products between the actors. Most of all, this will keep brushes and powder puffs separate.
I usually load up three or four puffs ready to go. Bottom line is whatever works for you on deciding what products you like to use.
Gretchens Set Bag: Contents for Film Set Day Checker
(See Fig. 12-03 for Picture of Film Day Checker Bag)
• Kleenex tissues
• Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skin Care Max Anti Shine Mattifying Gel
• Sponges
• Powder puffs
• Wet Ones Travel Pack
• DHC Body Cleansing Cloths
• Evian Eau Mineral Spray
• Pointy Q-tips
• 1 package of disposable mascara wands
• Remington Face Saver Pre Shave
• 1 small bottle of glycerin
• 1 small pair of scissors
• Band-Aids
• Small eye pencil sharpener
• Tweezers, Laura Mercier by Tweezerman
• 1 eyedropper
• 3 Cutex Nail Polish Remover Pads
• Refresh disposable eyedrops
• Visine
• Gum and mints of choice (regular and sugar-free)
• Small Jao Antibacterial Hand Refresher
• Small Bliss Body Butter
• Small Lise Water Solution Double Instant Eye Makeup Remover
• Kiehl’s Lip Balm SPF 15
• Small Kiehl’s Intensive Treatment Moisturizer
• Carmex
• Small Kiel’s Creamy Eye Treatment
• Andrea Eyelash Adhesive
• 2 containers of individual eyelashes in dark brown and black
• 2 eye shadow palettes with the following colors (black, dark brown, light brown, off – white, rust, gray blue, taupe); eye shadow palettes by Make Up For Ever and Viseart
• Yves Saint Laurent Touche Esclat Radiant Touch
• Lancome Dual Finish Powder Makeup
• Natural Rice Oil Absorbing Rice Paper Tissues with Rice Powder and Bobbi Brown Blotting Papers
• No color powder pressed compact
• Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Shine
• SmashBox Compact Anti-Shine
• 1 red eye pencil
• 1 black eye pencil
• 1 menthol vapor for the eyes
• 1 color each of Tween Time colors for hair
• Small squeeze bottle of Ken Diaz KD151 Flowing Blood Syrup, Drying Blood in Dark and Light
• Skin Illustrator Flesh Tone Palette
• Skin Illustrator FX Palette
• Reel Color Palette Cover-Up/Effects Kit
• Braun electric shaver
The last five items of the above list I store in my set chair (if not needed) and then they are readily available on set.
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PRO TIP |
Working in HD, I rarely use powder. If you need to use powder switch between several products like anti-shine, blotting papers, and no color pressed powder, to avoid too much build up.
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Gretchens Makeup Bag for Film Day Checker
The makeup you bring as a Day Checker on a film set can be contained in a bag or case of some sort. If you are directed to bring makeup for a certain character or time period, you should adjust the contents of your makeup bag to fit the need. If the job is going to entail helping out the department head most of the time, and is not so much about applying a lot of makeup, you won’t need to bring a bulky case. A clear bag with a large strap and handle that can accommodate only what is necessary should work. What you do and how you transport your makeup becomes a personal challenge. Changing out your makeup to fit the job at hand happens no matter how well you think you’re organized. Having at home a few different makeup bags or cases already set up and ready to go helps cut down the “What to bring?” question.
(See Fig. 12-03 for Picture of Film Day Checker Bag)
Air Craft Airbrush Makeup in all colors
Shiseido Stick Foundations
RCMA KO/MB Palette by Vincent Kehoe
Sehora makeup brush cleaning wipes Visiora MV in all colors DermaColor Camouflage System Mellow Yellow by Ben Nye A few setup towels 1 metal palette to blend makeup 1 book of artist paper to blend makeup 1 palette knife RCMA No Color Powder
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Lancome Dual Finish Powder Makeup Iman Pressed Powders Guerlain Bronzing Powders Tarte Stick Color Stains in all colors
Eye shadow palettes in various colors (I like to have a shadow palette that is compact that I can use on anybody for large crowds. Colors in black, dark brown, taupe, creams, white, blue, violet, green, and gray. Personally, I have every NARS compact that has come out! My favorite for on-set is Skin Deep.)
Eye shadow palettes in frosty gold tones
Eye shadow palettes in frosty silver tones
Blushers (Blushers should be simple. Light pink, coral, burgundy, red if needed, and a warm neutral color. Again, I can usually find this combination of colors in a palette, therefore I don’t need to bring a
lot of loose colors. Make Up For Ever has a good combination of colors you can put together. I have one or two creams that I can use if someone has a dry skin tone.)
• Kiehl’s Lip Balm SPF 15 in hues 30G and 58B
• Kiehl’s Lip Balm SPF 15
• Laura Mercier Brow Powder Duos in all colors
• Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliners in all colors
• Brow pencils in all the brow colors
• Eye pencils in black, dark brown, dark blue, dark green, and white
• Lip Pencils: M^A^C Rosewood, Trish McEvoy Deep Nude, T. LeClerc Tendre, M^A^C Mahogany, Guerlain Rouge #2,
By Terry #11, #12, Lancome Lip Coloring Stick Inspire, Mauvelle, Lancome LipColor Cherub. Plus a few colors that will work in any situation: pink tones, coral tones, reds, burgundy, and a rust color. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat, all of the colors
• A variety of lip glosses in tubes
• Bobbi Brown eye brightener
• Laura Mercier Secret Brightener
• Laura Mercier Eye Basics Liner
• Lancome Definicils Waterproof Mascara
• Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara
• Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara
• Brush roll with a variety of brushes
• W. M Creations, Inc. Stacolor palette (full palette)
• Hand held fan (for those hot days or sets)
Set Chair
There is not always a reason you have to use the set chair, but it is good to have if you are sitting long lengths of time. In film, it is important because of the amount of time you do spend shooting. Everyone has their favorites. Every day, new bags and chairs surface that we all like to check out.
I still like my larger chair that has a pocket below that I can stock up with extra items. You will find yourself storing those extra pieces of clothing for different weather conditions. The chair is compact and easy to move in a hurry. Feel out your department heads and observe what they are doing. In some cases, the Production or Makeup team does not believe in sitting down on the job. Although this is rare, don’t assume that everyone brings their chairs to the set.