I have been watching all the social media and resulting mess from the gurus proactively saying “everyone's a star, anyone can do make up.”
Yes its true anyone can do make up but it takes skills in business, management and marketing to make it a career.
I see a lot of short sighted advertising and posting concerning make up artistry ranging from:
“special offer of £20 for a booking in September. I'm a celebrity makeup artist....”
Really. You do celebrities and you charge £20? Can you confirm that with references? Images? Tear sheets?
“I specialise in film and TV.”
Show me your CV. show me your portfolio and website. Nope? Can’t do it? What a surprise.
Where are your tear sheets? Can you tell me what magazines “sparkle and glitter make up by x” has on their CV?
When will people stop over reaching and actually realise that you can be an assistant its not a negative thing. That not everyone will think you're a genius and yes we are always learning.
I will be very carefully reviewing my diary, my contacts and my affiliations over the next few months with a view to cutting out the deadwood and walking away from anything that cannot show me a solid marketing strategy, at least some consideration to the budget and doesn’t rely heavily on my paying out thousands of pounds for the privilege of working.
Every contract will be reviewed in minute detail and if I am not happy and there is no room for negotiation then I am out. Losing copyright, intellectual property etc is not happening on my watch.
