Ok, so we have all heard assisting another more experienced makeup artist is a must. Or at least it is strongly recommended. I firmly believe it is something all newer makeup artists should do. There is a wealth of knowledge that comes with assisting, especially on set etiquette. Now, I totally understand it blows being someones personal "b*tch" for the day. In all honesty, you may just end up running 5 blocks to pick up a box of tampons for a model (yes, I've done it & I ran like Pocahontas trying to save John Smith) or just washing brushes. Regardless of what you are doing, you need to watch the key! Watch their techniques, the products they use, and when there is time, ask them why. Be pro-active! Or else assisting gains you nothing.
I remember my very first time assisting. I was clueless and stumbled over myself more times than I did not. Thankfully, my key was very relaxed and knew I was a rookie. Still, no excuses. Had that been a professional set & not a test shoot, I probably would have been asked to leave the set. My jaws flapped way too much. Here's assisting advice number 1: STFU! You're not there to be a jabber jaw. You're there to be quiet and do as you're asked. Think, invisible. Now, this isn't like that for all jobs or keys, but it is a rule you should follow regardless.
I've seen so many makeup artists lately mentioning their assistants are passing around business cards & handing out their contact info. Sweet babeh Jebus, I die a little inside every time I see an artist say that. Why? Well, as an assistant we are not there to network. We are there to assist the key & make our key look good. Refer back to #1 if you need too. But in all seriousness, we are working for the key, the key is our boss, we are there to support, and do whatever our key asks of us. Stealing a client from a key is a huge no-no & will get you permanently black listed from assisting - ever. Not only that, but the key has busted their butts gaining those clients, building their book, their reputation, and for a newbie or even experienced artist to swoop in & try to steal a client is such a disrespectful move. It's a slap in the face. The key is teaching you the business & this is how you thank them? Chile, sit down, and keep reading. Assisting advice number 2: Leave your business cards at home!
Do you own a pair of black dress slacks? No?! Well you should. I've found with many assisting jobs, many key's require we wear black. Not leggings, skinny jeans, but dress slacks. Why? Black looks professional, it feels professional, and again refer to #1. Also, while we are on topic of dress code, lets sneak in some hygiene. Shower. Please shower. That should be a given, but some people need reminding. And yes, I've heard horror stories. Wear your deodorant, brush your teeth, bring mints, make sure your nails are clean. If you smoke, wear a patch or tough it out. I'm a smoker, so I honestly know how hard it is to go all day without one, but you can do it! You'll be too busy to even notice you're smoke free. Why no smoking? Imagine being around purses, coats, shoes, clothing, that costs more than most people make in a month. Would you want someones grimy smokey hands all over that? Yeah NO!!! Not to mention, you're in the talents face, the last thing you want is for the talent to smell your nasty smokey self. Ask the key what the dress code is. And neutral makeup is the way to go. Think clean. One last thing. I made the mistake of not wearing enough layers on a music video shoot. Think 30-40 degree weather in a hoodie, jeans, and dc's. Yeah, I froze my butt off. But not once did I ever complain nor would I ever want to admit that I was that stupid. So again, dress appropriately. Assisting advice number 3: Follow proper hygiene and the key's dress code.
OMG you have Chanel in your kit. *Goes to touch* Do not ever touch a key's kit, unless they grant you permission. Now I have been pretty luck with all of the key's I have assisted and they let me happily touch. I still always ask even if beforehand they give me the go ahead. It's out of respect. Key's have built a kit, spent the time, money, energy, effort and worked their butts of to build a kit that costs more than most folks make in a month. Do Not Touch. Another reason we don't touch the key's kit, is due to theft. Yep, some fools are just that, fools. Shady assistants have been known to get sticky fingers. Or some key's just plain and simple do not want other peoples hands in their kits. Assisting advice number 4: Never touch the key's kit without permission.
I thought I was here to do makeup, why am I just washing brushes? Ahhh, because you were told too. I hate washing brushes just like everyone else, but we are to do as the key asks. You wash a few brushes in exchange for the knowlege you are receiving. Model starts her monthly, and no one has a tampon, cup or pad, you run your butt - like the wind - to the nearest shop and buy them and run like the wind back. I need a latte, well, run your butt, again, like the wind to & from to the nearest Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts or coffee shop. Instead of just sitting on your butt while waiting for the next batch of brushes to be washed, take notes! Even if it is a list of questions to ask your key why they did that technique, what product was used. I took notes my very first job & I am so glad I did. I left with a better understanding of contouring, products for contouring & how to do a beautiful clean look. Assisting advice number 5: Pay attention, stop griping & LEARN something!
I'm bored, I think I shall play on my cell phone or take a little snooze. Ok, cell phones need to be turned on silent. I have kids, and most people I assist know I have kids, so they allow me to check my phone periodically to make sure there are no emergencies. No kids? No need to check your phone. Facebook can wait, trust me, it's the same ish on there everyday, you won't miss anything. Instagram is also the same. Random foodies and selfies. Those can wait too. Unless your key gives you the go ahead, keep the phone put away. Simple as that. Again, refer to #1 & 5 if you need too. Also, another artist brought to my attention that I left a key point out. DO NOT post photos of the job you are assisting to ANY social network! No Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, nada! This can compromise the job you are working, and that is the photographer, talents, and the keys job. End of story! But, you can say I am assisting (insert artists name) today. That is it! Assisting advice number 6: Put the phone away!
Now these are just the basics, there is much more to cover & there are many more blogs concerning assisting. But, I figured I would share what I have learned throughout my adventures in assisting. You want to be a good assistant. Yes, you more than likely will start off as an unpaid assistant & don't gripe about that either. We all start out unpaid. Pay your dues, and it will lead you to paid assisting work. I'm now at the point to where I finally get paid. It takes time. Think about it this way, even if you are not getting paid, you are. You're working on a set, watching and learning set etiquette, makeup techniques, product recommendations & experience. Assisting advice number 7: Be thankful you can assist!
Lastly, even though this should have been covered first, how do I get an assisting job? Simple, email the artist(s) you would like to assist. Know their work, good god know their work. Sell yourself. What can you bring to the table as an assistant, how can you benefit them? And what do you plan on taking away from assisting? Don't be surprised if you hear nothing back for months or get denied. It happens. So don't get all stalkerish on them either. But send out some emails, let them know you want to assist and go from there. Some artists have been burned so badly by assistants it has ruined it for them, some may simply have a loyal or several loyal assistants they use. And some, just simply have no use for one. Don't give up! Assisting advice number 8: ASK!
Ok, I think that is it. If anyone has anything to add, comment, suggest, you get the point, feel free to leave a comment.
Thanks!
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