Junior Make-Up Assistant (Eastenders)

BBC Studios Drama Productions

Are you passionate about Make-up and TV Drama? Do you have a formal make up qualification, but never quite know where or how to break through into the industry? Are you ready for the opportunity to progress your career in TV Drama? This Junior Make-up Assistant role on BAFTA award-winning drama EastEnders could be the catalyst for your career in TV Drama.

BBC Studios Drama Productions is renowned for bringing audiences together week after week. We are the creative powerhouse behind award-winning Drama such as EastEnders, Silent Witness, Father Brown and Sister Boniface to Casualty, River City, Pobol y Cwm and Anfamol. In addition to our iconic brands, we have an ambitious growth strategy with a slate of fresh and exciting new shows in development.

Here, we champion an inclusive culture aligned with our Pledge, fostering an environment where you can freely unleash your creativity, in the pursuit of bold content. Collaborating with some of the industry’s brightest talents, you’ll have the chance to leave your imprint on millions of viewers worldwide. What’s more? There’s plenty of opportunities for growing your career with us too, nurturing and developing talent is ingrained in our DNA – we’d love for you to be part of it.

EastEnders

EastEnders is the multi-award-winning, multi-camera drama broadcast on primetime BBC One. As one of the longest-running and beloved TV dramas in the UK, it consistently delves into sensitive stories while continually pushing the boundaries of conventional television week after week. The show’s gritty realism is brought to life in Borehamwood by one of the most dedicated and hard-working creative teams, both on-screen and off, delivering high-quality, gritty drama with heart, humour and pathos. With tight deadlines and the need to adapt to schedule changes, you will build industry resilience that will set strong foundations for a career working on drama productions.

What is a Make-up Junior?

A Make-up Junior at EastEnders works at the heart of the hair and make-up team. This 6 month opportunity gives the successful candidate the opportunity to learn and work alongside experienced industry professionals designing make-up looks for some of British Dramas most iconic and loved characters, with a large cast and diverse range of character styles this is the perfect opportunity for you to strengthen existing skills, but also develop new ones.

The EastEnders Make-Up Department has a real team spirit, we have several levels of artists who all bring different skills and abilities into the mix, from the HODs, Designers, Juniors and Trainees. It’s a fantastic place to learn and develop new skills while working your way up the ladder alongside many experienced and talented people, plus the opportunity in getting your teeth into a long running diverse drama that’s prime time television

During the year, there will also be an opportunity to spend two weeks shadowing the Casualty make-up and prosthetics team at the shows home in Cardiff, Wales. Travel (one return), accommodation (13 nights) and evening meal allowance (13 nights) will be paid for by the placement.

What are the Make-up Juniors Main Responsibilities?

The role of the Make-up Junior will report to the Series Make-Up Designers. The successful candidate will have an understanding of the principles, practices and roles for make-up in television and film production whilst demonstrating a keen interest and familiarity in EastEnders as a show.

The Make-up Juniors main duties will include:

• Interpreting the Make-Up Supervisors instructions and carrying out basic hair and make-up on the main cast

• Performing on-set standby make-up and hair work for the artists, always adhering to and following the correct procedures for all continuity and applying a high level of practical skills

• Liaising with all make-up and production staff to ensure that all deadlines are met whilst receiving training in all aspects of this creative department

• Following safe working practices that comply with the Health and Safety guidelines & legislation and ensure that BBC output reflects the diverse nature of our audiences

• Communicating with make-up colleagues, actors and other departments

• Script reading and script breakdown, taking continuity into consideration

• Setting up and maintaining workstations, including loading and unloading make-up and hair kits between locations

• Applying and fixing crowd supporting artists (SA’s) make-up and hair

• Taking and filing photos for continuity purposes

• Ensuring cleanliness and supporting Health & Safety requirements are met

Are you the right candidate?

The successful applicant must have at least 2/3 Years’ Training from a BTEC or College, with at least Level 2 NVQ in barbering, we well as have 2 TV, Film or Theatre credits at a Trainee or Junior level.

You would also need to demonstrate the following;

• Experience in carrying out general make-up applications and maintenance to a high standard, preferably in modern day Drama

• Basic knowledge of script reading/breakdown taking continuity into consideration

• An ability to interpret and break-down a script in basic terms

• Be confident in carrying out general make-up applications and maintenance to a high standard and timescale

• To be able to deal with all colleagues, actors and supporting artists with diplomacy and tact

• To be able to clearly and concisely communicate information.

• To be able to problem-solve in creative ways

• To have a keen eye for detail

• Flexibility of working occasional night or weekend shoots

• Be able to keep clean tidy work areas adhering to safe working practices that comply with the Health and Safety guidelines & legislation

We would also ideally require the following:

• To own basic kit

• To have good computer skills

• To have a clean and valid driving license

• To have Hair and Barbering skills

Package Description

Contract: 6 Months Fixed Term Contract

Band: A

Location: BBC Elstree, Borehamwood

What you get:

• A salary of £25,000.00 per annum (plus a London Weighting Allowance)

• Access to a Training Manager to support your development

• Training and Mentoring by industry professionals

• 26 days of annual leave (pro-rata’d) and a defined pension scheme

**Please note that this is a standard Studios Production contract and potentially can involve up to 55 hours per week **

Life at BBC Studios

We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you’ve read about our values and behaviours here.

The BBC is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of their background. More information on our D&I plan can be found here.

BBC Studios puts sustainability at the heart of everything we do both onscreen and offscreen, including delivering against the BBC Group’s science-based Net Zero targets. More information on sustainability at BBC Studios can be found here.

We are proud to share that we are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and we strongly encourage applications from disabled people . If you meet the minimum criteria for this role and declare that you are disabled, we will ensure to advance you to the next stage (minimum criteria above).

If you require any reasonable adjustments in order to apply please contact us on reasonable.adjustments@bbc.co.uk.