+1

somebody some where is +1inng all my posts and i'd really like to know who. It's driving me mad

Invoices

Task 3 

So I know what you're thinking, having a CV that's great, but what if you don't want to work for 'the man', well I hear ya and it looks like your going freelance...... Apart from bags of skill and bags of make-up let's take a look at the boring stuff you need to be a freelance.

The first thing you're going to need to do is register as self employed. You need to do this as soon as you can as avoiding it can leave to a penalty, you can let HM Revenue and Customs know that you are self employed by registering on-line at https://www.gov.uk/new-business-register-for-tax  which will take you through step by step.  This will make sure you pay the right income tax and national insurance when it comes to your self assessment tax return.

Once you have registered you’ll receive a letter from HM Revenue and Customs at the beginning of the financial year (Usually in April or May)  The letter will explain that you need to send a tax return. luckily you can do this on-line and there is a lot of help you can find on https://www.gov.uk.

In order to make sure you are taxed properly you're going to need to keep a good accurate records of your income and outgoings that can be easily read by HM Revenue and Customs if they ask to see them. This means you should always keep proof such as receipts for goods, bank statements  and invoices.

So what is an invoice?

An invoices is a bill that you must give to a customer by law when you have sold them a product or service. this is not the same as a receipt, a receipt  is simply an acknowledgement of payment, an invoice tells the customer how much and when they need to pay you.

When you design your invoice remember it must clearly state Invoice on it and contain the following information:

• An invoice number, each invoice should have a unique number this is so that you can identify them easily.
• Your name, Your company name, address and contact information
• The name and address of the customer you’re invoicing
• A clear description of what you’re charging for
• the date the goods or service were provided
• The date of the invoice
• The total amount owed                                                                            
• VAT amount if applicable   You only need to apply for VAT if: your VAT taxable turnover is more than £81,000 
• A section to clearly outline payment terms, if you want to be paid within so many days you need to state this

You can also find templates on-line or can pay people to design forms for you.  Invoices are simple enough though that you could start one from scratch in excel or word, if you are struggling and need a free helping hand , you can find a variety of professional looking templates through Microsoft word or excel, that you can customize to suit.

Apps are also available to download to do your invoice on, I found invoice 2 go through a message board It allows you to create invoices from your phone, tablet or computer and also syncs them across your devices.  meaning you can invoice on the go and access that same invoice later on a laptop or computer. As well as how to pay it can include a paypal link. The app  then records information and displays who has paid there invoices and who still owes you money in charts and reports to easily track your money. 

I think is enough for one post! I don't want to share my invoice form yet until i have my logo ready to put on it so that everything links together,  but when its ready i will be sure to post it here. 

Client database

Task 2 

A customer/client/contact database can be really helpful as it will keep all your contact details in one place. 

It is possible to buy software products that provide formats for  a database

But really you could just use a simple spreadsheet with heading ( name, contact, title, mailing address, phone number and email address) or you can download a simple template through Microsoft excel. 

I have made one as part of this brief, now obviously I am not going to share my super secret contacts with you (sorry) But just thought I'd share just how simple my database is 

So I'm not going to write any more, I had prepared to go into this in a lot more detail but apparently I didn't have to write a blog post about this at all =) 

Creative industry CV

Task 2

For a Job in a creative industry your CV is going to be a little...different. This is where you can be a bit more creative, but I  definitely advise get the content right before you focus on the design!

Your CV will centre more on your  experience, which takes priority over education, but will still contains similar information as you included on your average joe job CV such as :  A personal profile, Your contact details, Skills  (although only ones that are relevant to your industry,  for example employing you for make-up job I do not need to know that you can merchandise or cash up a till)  

You can make it more interesting. You can add logos, a colour scheme, a more creative layout and photos of your work, but remember it still needs to look professional and be practical. Don't over do it as this can put people off, and your CV can look overcrowded and messy.

Here is an example of a BAD make-up CV I made over the top on purpose.

I'm a make-up artist so i want make up on my CV... this massive make-up background is distracting and makes it hard to read the writing. the colours of the background with the photos is a mish mash. If you want a background use paler colours or change the opacity 

I want to people to know I'm good so lets put lots of photos of my work on it....No this is a CV not a portfolio, keep it simple and just have one photo of a really good make-up and include a link to an on-line portfolio.

I have started a board on pinterest for this brief of CV logo and business card designs that I think are effective, they can all be found here

 A few I found particularly interesting were....

I love this CV it is simple with a limited colour palette. I like the use of the circle text box (something i have used in my own...but you haven't seen that yet) 

 I also love the icons used in the contact section, this is something I might consider for future versions of my CV it makes it very clear how you can be contacted and where your work can be seen 

I am not normally a fan of background on a CV but I like this one its not overpowering and the shapes have been incorporated into how the text is laid out and so it is not distracting, in fact the brush strokes guide you eyes. I really like this and would consider something similar for my own CV it would also work well if you had a logo and business cards to match. 

So I am working on my make-up artist Cv. I am hoping to get my logo done first as I would like it all to match. I will be showing you my CV here as it progresses 

Moving on....

Task 2 

So I can move on thank god! It was all getting a little bit too sensible and boring over here.  Task 2 come at me =).

Curriculum Vitae or CV (what does it even mean?)

Curriculum vitae is quite obviously Latin (A dead language and yet here we are just hanging on to small parts) so loosely it's translation is course of life.

Helpful..yes?...No

So what actually is it and when do you use it?

a CV is an overview of a person's experience and qualifications used CVs are used to explain to recruiters what you can do and what you have done. There are two reasons for using a Cv, applying for an advertised job vacancy and applying speculatively to potential employers when there has been no vacancy advertised. It best to have two different Cv's for these, Infact its best to tailor your Cv to each job you apply for rather than have a one Cv fits all. Regardless of its purpose all cvs will contain this information 

• Personal contact details

• Career aims/personal profile 

• Education history and qualifications 
• Achievements

• Employment history/ Work experience

• Interests and leisure activities 
• References

A C.V. is the first point of contact with an employer the aim is to catch their attention and to stand out from the piles of CV's that employers receive but for regular Jobs non-creative industry based jobs it best to keep this simple.

This is my basic CV that I started with, I blocked out all the things that I didn't feel like sharing. It is simple clear and concise and everything on there is relevant. A CV shouldn't really go over two A4 sides. lets face it, it could do with some work. It's bland it's boring and it needs up dating, but thats what this journeys for.

So what happens when I change it about a bit.

So here I have kept all the same information and in the same place but all I have changed is style of the text box  and added a up to date simple photo and look at how different it is from before I think it stands out from the last one and looks alot more sleek and modern. Its amazing how much a few simple changes can alter the entire look. 

Here is a great example of how easy it is to jazz up a boring Cv to make it stand out. 

Next time I'm going to talk about using a CV for a job in this industry rather than a standard CV

Cheating!

Task 1 

Investigate the changes in practises and the demands of the industry, you say? well let me treat you, in true blue peter style "heres one I made earlier"

The History of Hair and Make-up in Theatre and Film

In this essay I will explain how hair and make-up has developed over time and how past practices have influenced today’s techniques. I intend to do this by researching the history of hair and make-up in film and theatre.  My approach will cover their formal characteristics, the major developments that have taken place and the influences of social, economical, technological, political and cultural factors.  

Throughout history make-up has been used worldwide to paint faces for performances. Originally in Greek theatre make-up was unnecessary and performers wore painted masks to represent characters; however Thespis the Greek actor painted his face using white lead and wine in order to stand out from the rest of the chorus. He is considered the first performer to do so.

The use of make-up in theatrical performances became much more common in the 1500s and 1600s. Actors in medieval religious dramas would use different colours to portray different characters, such as a gold face for playing the part of god. There were few ways to change the hair of an actor in early theatre and it was rarely seen as necessary although during the renaissance performers from France began to create beards moustaches and sideburns from lamb’s wool. Performers in Elizabethan England would use flour chalk to whiten the face for certain roles and in others, use soot to blacken the face.

Early stages were lit only by candles and oil lamps but by 1840 most theatre stages were lit by gaslights. Previously, make up was messily applied using burnt cork to darken the face, red lead for lips and cheeks, India ink to create wrinkles and folds, and flour and powdered pearls to whiten the face. And it had to be removed by using butter. With brighter lights, the stage was much more visible and this allowed the audience to see poorly constructed costumes, sets, and low quality make-up. This called for more skilled application and new make-up products.

Greasepaint was then invented by a German actor. The paint was created by mixing lard with colour pigments, It resulted in a smoother texture than the products used beforehand was moderately waterproof , However, it was not perfect it smudged, it was heavy and also it could melt under lighting. Make-up has progressed a lot since the invention of greasepaint, but despite these advancements, make-up today is still not too far from the original idea of blending pigments with fat.

With the introduction of electric lights, make-up appeared blurred and the colours washed out. This, coupled with the audience’s distance from the stage, is the reason that theatre make-up is over exaggerated with bright colours and dark contouring. To offset the effect of this lighting, a straight make-up for the theatre was developed and is still used today. It is applied to both males and females for an everyday look. A warm toned cream-based foundation is applied to both men and women to achieve blanket coverage and it is important. Shader and highlighter are used to contour a face in a much stronger way than every day wear to emphasise the faces features. The face also must be heavily powdered to set make-up, as greasy patches will be evident under hot lighting.

When creating make-up for theatre there are several things that need to be considered. Firstly the budget; make-up will have to be cost effective and the budget will determine the quality of products you use and the number of make-up artists hired for the production.

As previously mentioned, the distance from the audience will also affect the make-up design. In a small theatre where the audience is close to the actors the make-up must be more realistic and well blended, as the audience will be closer to the actors and see more detail. However in a larger theatre much of the make-up will be lost on the audience it should be bold so that it can still be seen at difference distance. As a rule make-up is applied mostly with the first fifteen rows in mind as these are the most expensive seats.

Understanding the lighting is vital for a theatre make-up artist. It must be considered when designing a performer’s make-up due to its effect on various shades and pigments. The make-up can lose its effectiveness under stage lighting, not only can it wash colour out it can also alter the colouring.

It is also important to consider the actor’s performance and movement. For example wax noses may not be suitable for a character that is very active and who carries out leaps and jumps. Also, wigs would have to be very securely attached or may not be suitable at all.

In theatre timing is key; it is common for several roles to be played by one person therefore it is important to know the times of acts and the time allowed in between for quick changes. These are minimal make-up that is fast and easy to change to get the actor back out on stage.

When the film industry began, stage make-up did not transition well to film. Heavily applied make-up did not appear natural in close-ups, and the range of colours failed to convert to film as until the 1920s they used orthochromatic film. This was a blue sensitive film in which light blues registered as white, and as it did not pick up reds or yellows, they registered as black. This caused problems for film productions, such as blonde hair appearing dark, blue eyes were white and cloudy skies pictured flat white.

Theatre actors who branched out into film were comfortable with the theatre style make-up and had to learn entirely different techniques for film acting. Faces without make-up appeared very dark and the actors tried to respond to this by covering their face with heavy make-up, this is why in early silent films the faces of heroes and heroines are so pale.

Through the 1910s motion pictures became more sophisticated and the mask-like faces faded out as directors began to insist on a more natural look.

There are many factors to consider when designing and creating make-up for film. A film’s budget will limit control over the quality of make-up and wigs used, as well as the size of the make-up department and staff.

Unlike theatre, there are no quick changes with filming, however timing is also important as the application of large prosthetics to a high standard can take hours.  

The film and lighting being used will affect choices of products. For example, powdered eye shadow is better than cream as it does not melt under studio lights and some lipsticks and blush are not suitable as they have an underlying blue hue that can become purple when filmed. It is also important to consider the shadowy areas under the eyes and under the lower lip can become very dark on camera, and should be corrected with highlighter.

In film there are three categories of make-up. There is Basic make-up applied to both male and females to avoid the studio lights emphasising the oil in natural skin that can be noticed in close-ups. Also used is Corrective make-up, which consists of both contouring (downplays overly prominent features) and highlighting (emphasizes areas). Lastly there is Character make-up, which changes the actor’s appearance such as aging or horror make-up using prosthetics.

   That's as much of it I could find, I got a distinction for this essay when I submitted it though = )

I seem to have contracted man flu

Yup that's what I got! I am dying! On my grave please write 'here lies a loving girlfriend...who was stabbed in the back by her boyfriend and his flu that he was masquerading as a simple cold!"

Woke up at 5.30 freezing cold, so I layered up but three tops, thermal socks two blankets and a duvet didn't even cut it! 

Trade Shows

Task 1 

As I previously mention trade shows (make-up shows, hair and beauty shows) are a unique opportunity to advertise and network with people in your industry all under one roof, face to face. You can learn new tricks and meet well-known make-up artists. you can buy products from specialised companies (often with a significant discount ).

A lot of these shows also hold competitions, Competing in a competition like this can give your career a huge boost and may gain you job opportunities and open doors for you as a make-up artist. Your work will be seen visitors as well as the leaders in the industry attending the shows.  

There are many shows across the world, but here are a few popular ones in the UK:

UMAE (UNITED MAKEUP ARITISTS EXPO)

"At United Make Artist expo (UMAe) it is our ethos to support the industry, by generating a platform for the professional and aspiring makeup artists from around the world, within a family networking atmosphere.  Alongside education seminars, expert demonstrations and one-to-one interaction with the icons of the TV and Film industry, we provide opportunities to meet and liaise with the best in the business. New and seasoned veterans alike are able to learn from the Masters the latest techniques and products available to pursue/continue their careers. Working closely with our exhibiting partners and the professionals, UMAE encourages and takes onboard feedback and discussions.   In acting together and sharing in the development of the show, we are committed to continually evolve, incorporating the latest innovations, techniques and ideas.  We strive to give you"

IMATS (ITERNATIONAL MAKE-UP ARTIST TRADE SHOW)

"Education and versatility are key to a career in make-up artistry, and IMATS London provides that in abundance. Established in 2002, this show gives you the tools you need to grow as an artist in theater, film, TV, fashion and editorial. Classes often range from age-make-up applications and red-carpet glamour to body painting and beards. Looking to stock your kit? Top exhibitors will be on hand for all your needs."

OLYMPIA BEAUTY

"Olympia Beauty 2014 is one of the UK’s leading trade beauty events, trade only and will comprise of many of the UK’s top brands. The Olympia Beauty show enables professionals to network with the right people and see everything there is to see in the world of beauty, all under one roof. To seek the latest innovations, whilst being updated on forthcoming beauty trends and education. Olympia Beauty welcomes all trade professionals including salon owners, buyers, make-up artists, nail technicians, spa professionals, students and peripheral industries."

THE PROSTHETICS EVENT

"It’s an educational and shopping event for people interested in prosthetics, make-up FX and related fields, and their use in everything from major film and television productions to scare attractions and cosplay. It will cater for professionals, students, hobbyists and fans alike. The schedule will comprise a full day of demonstrations and educational classes in the main lecture theatre, smaller scale demos and classes on stands, sale of products, materials and smaller scale prosthetic works. The ‘Monster Mash’ Exhibition will be in its own space showing prosthetic creatures and make­up FX by various artists, as well as featuring a number of high profile ‘artists in residence’ practicing their crafts."

I have previously attended IMATS and found it very interesting to talk with people in the industry, buy products and watch demos.The UMEA in April and IMATS in July are currently being planned as trips on my course so hopefully I will go to all the shows that I have listed here in 2015. I will also be sure to take my business cards with me, in order for anyone I network with to contact me.