Makeup and cinematography

[Benjamin Lamb]

Is it typical for the cinematographer to have much contact with the makeup/hair designer? I watched a documentary with Christopher Doyle who talked about a scene he shot with a lot of red light. The makeup artist gave the actress some warm red color on her face to "bring out" the light. Is this common practice? How much do makeup artists and cinematographers work together?

[Matthew Padraic Barr]

It's important to coordinate with the make-up artist and to do
some testing, if possible. At least that's what we used to do,
and that's what all the best cinematographers of the past
taught us young guys to do.

Unfortunately, nowadays on low-budget productions and even

on major films, less time is devoted to the testing process.
Back in the day, when shooting on film was the only option,
the testing process was a crucial part of preproduction.

It seems that now -- and hopefully some of the more experienced
contributors on here can elaborate further -- the testing process
is much less common, or at least less time is devoted to it.

I always try to do testing: for the look of the photography;
for the lighting on the lead actors (especially females) which

ideally involves a full make-up test; for any visual effects or
unique photographic techniques. But I'm not always successful.

Since you can look at a monitor on set and "see what you're getting"
-- this is a misleading idea -- producers don't seem to want to spend
money on testing as much these days. Again, hopefully some of the
more experienced guys on here can back me up on this.

Edited February 6, 2015 by Matthew Padraic Barr

[Albion Hockney]

a lot less make up being used these days too, but I agree tests are important.

 

couple of the last things I did there was almost no make up on anyone.