Make up artist pay scale

[bodybagging]

Jason, you are not rambling, PointBlank, you are making a point. Its a VALID POINT.
DarkAngel if your event pulls in 20,000 + visitors a season then you can afford to pay a FX artist what they are worth for a season. Again my last pay was 5000.00 for a local gig, Had it been out of state, you would have had to pay for expenses as well.
If your Event pulls in 3000- visitors a season then you cannot afford to pay a FX artist what they are worth, and if you get a good one you better make sure they know that you appreciate the fact that they are basically giving away their talent to better your EVENT.

[screamline studios]

What i am about to say is by no means a slap in anyones face!!! I have spent over $20.000 in trying to be a great makeup artist, MANY UPON MANY hours just practicing to even go beyond the norm . I personally do not always get what i think i may deserve , but sometimes i give a little just because i believe in a certain project or a specific venue, also the more people you work with the more your name gets around .But for the most part i gravitate towards the upper end haunted attractions because i know they have the budget to allow for trained talent, again i love all haunts(keep that in mind) so why shouldnt trained talent receive what they put in???? By no means am i trying to say how great i am , however i am trying to make everyone understand there is definetly a price to pay for talent!!! DO any of you haunt owners spend more on the actors that you feel have unbelievable talent, or spend the money on a great advertising company, or a great set designer, all of these factor in to a great haunted attraction,so with that said the make up artist has its place and i guess it depends on the budget and the owner to see what is best for there attraction. boy oh boy am i rambling!!!

Just some random dude

Jason Blaszczak
SCREAMLINE STUDIOS

[Jim Warfield]

I always thought an actor going "GGGRR" was from a costume that fit too tight , especially in certain areas of the anatomy.
Or else it was "acting", probably faux-constipation.

Doing such incredible make up and original costuming really would create another level of the whole experience for the majority of the customers.

[Matt Marich]

At a local major theme ;park haunt here, the artist oversaw about 75 make-ups and was paid around $ 10,000.00. But he fully designed concepts and really put a lifetime of hours in. Your right Rob, costuming and Make-up are a major part of your show, it either makes the characters real or costume store phoney! It also helps create a personna for the actor so he or she doesn't run around going GRRRR all night long.

[Jim Warfield]

Only a very small percentage of artists ever make a living doing their art. So art becomes something like a haunted house for most people, you do it because you like doing it.
I once read that only 5% of the population really have artistic talent and of that 5% only one half of one percent Every make a living at it. The rest are relegated to the lower status of a hobbiest or weekend art fair booth exhibitor. A college degree might help open a few doors for employment but you may not be doing your art, but you will be getting a paycheck doing "art" as defined by your employer.

Just like the mind needs several years to shake off the effects of serving in the military, it often takes several years to shake off the influences of college art training to re-find "yourself" and the art that fulfills you.

[MMManiac]

at our haunt, our makeup artist are volunteers just like everyone else. They still bust their butts and do a great job. In return we do send them to makeup classes in orlando and vegas and what not.

sean

[Darkangel]

Jason, I understand what you mean, but for most haunts I doubt they could compensate a good artist what they are worth, ad tey probably know that. I would also think the haunt owner doesn't compensate himself/herself what they are worth verses what they put into it.

So Jason, you said if you can snag a good artist for a very good rate, what in your opinion is a good rate?

Thanks a lot,
Darkangel

[screamline studios]

Hey there darkangel, i know you posted this as a question but as a make up artist it would be a slap in my face to here a price that doesnt fit the talent .A make up artist is like a good doctor it takes many many years to perfect your craft, alot of schooling whether its though a institution or teaching yourself, It takes hundreds of hours to be a good makeup artist and hundreds more to be great!!! All i can say is you get what you pay for, if you land a good makeup artist for a very very good rate than you are very lucky.

Just some random dude

Jason Blaszczak
SCREAMLINE STUDIOS

[bodybagging]

Darkangel be sure to check references and portfolios, and then actual makeup work, I cannot tell you how many times I have seen portfolios doctored up... got to love Photoshop! and then also those guys that just straight up steal pictures of others work. When looking for a a artist find someone that is willing to teach your crew as well.........

[Darkangel]

I agree, I guess if the make up artist can prove he/she is really good it would be worth paying a little more. If they are just starting out, it would seem to be a good opportunity for them to build up some work for their portfolio I would think...
I would love to hear some more numbers from haunters....


Darkangel

[SpookywoodsFX.com]

I was told that there was a thread a while back about this, but I didn't know how far back. I was curious to know what everyone pays for their make up artists? For those that only apply make up before you open your shows, what type of pay scale is usually expected?

Thank you,
Darkangel

Ultimately, it comes down to what it's worth to you as a haunt owner. What do you want your guests to see as they walk through your attraction? You could pay the kid next door to paint faces or hire a professional. If you hire a professional you need to look at his portfolio and have him/her show you in advance with a demo or two. I've seen too many people try to pass themselves off as "make up artists" after making a black eye and a burn on their arm. What are they able to bring to your attraction, just make up? Original props or masks? Fresh ideas and character designs for your scenes? A professional make up artist will, more than likely, know that a haunt isnt going to pony up what he or she may be worth but if income/work is what's needed at the time, they may just strike a deal.
You can only offer what you can offer but if you can't offer what the artist is worth, at least appreciate the work that they do. Consider yourself fortunate if you're able to even find an artist. Trust me, the wrong thing to say to your make up artist is that they are a dime a dozen :roll:
It would be interesting to see what some of these haunted attraction owners actually pay their artists.

[TheNightMare]

PS: Jason(Bodybagging) I would love to see some samples of your work. Is there a site for me to see? Thanks!

Check it out, Well worth it - 2008 Xtreme Haunt FX DVD by BodyBag Entertainment

Check there website out and click on sales then misc http://www.bodybagging.com/

[Darkangel]

Wow, thanks guys that really brought out several different thoughts and opinions. Our person we're considering is someone who enjoys applying make up, does a decent job, but by no means a professional. I think these days there are some people who know a few simple techniques and try to pass themselves off as fx artists expecting fx artist rates, at least this is what I have been told. A true artist deserves more, but the vast majority of haunts can not afford what they are worth I would think....

So, do you normally set up your payment on a nightly or weekly time table, or a flat sum for the season's work?

Thanks everyone,
Darkangel


PS: Jason(Bodybagging) I would love to see some samples of your work. Is there a site for me to see? Thanks!

[Killer Katie]

I say Hell yeah!!!

Rob - I wholeheartedly agree!! I myself have NEVER been paid what I'm worth, ever. It sucks. And I'm a pretty good makeup artist, if I don't say so myself! I would pass out to make $5000 per season. I was the cast manager, bookkeeper, actor and head make up artist and made a hell of a lot less than that... I was hosed! LOL

[hauntedhousenut]

Rob

I agree, 20 is way to low, I think the going rate for a makeup artist at a highend haunt would be a minimum of 150.