Reliability and Set Habits

Technical ability may secure an opportunity, but reliability helps an artist receive repeat bookings. Productions depend on every department completing its work safely and on time.

A reliable artist arrives prepared, communicates clearly, protects confidentiality and understands that their behaviour affects the entire production schedule.

Punctuality Begins Before the Call Time

Your call time is the time you are expected to arrive ready for work.

Before travelling:

  • Read the call sheet completely
  • Confirm the location
  • Check the route and travel time
  • Identify parking or access arrangements
  • Allow for delays
  • Confirm who to contact on arrival
  • Charge your phone
  • Pack the kit in advance
  • Prepare any required clothing or identification
  • Review the creative brief

If an unavoidable delay occurs, contact the correct production person immediately. Give a realistic update without offering unnecessary excuses.

Professional Communication

Commercial communication should be clear, brief and easy to follow.

When receiving a booking:

  1. Acknowledge the message.
  2. Confirm availability.
  3. Request missing information.
  4. State the proposed fee and terms.
  5. Confirm the agreement in writing.
  6. Record the booking in your diary.
  7. Check for updates before the production day.

Avoid sending repeated casual messages to several members of the production team. Follow the agreed communication route.

The Set-Ready Kit

A commercial kit should be:

  • Clean
  • Organised
  • Secure
  • Appropriate for the brief
  • Suitable for different skin tones and needs
  • Stocked with disposables
  • Labelled where necessary
  • Easy to move
  • Supported by backups for essential items

Bring the products required for the brief without carrying so much that the kit becomes unsafe or impossible to manage.

Your preparation should include:

  • Checking expiry information
  • Cleaning and processing brushes
  • Restocking disposables
  • Inspecting electrical equipment
  • Packing hygiene materials
  • Checking shade ranges
  • Preparing continuity supplies
  • Carrying basic stationery
  • Bringing required professional documents

Understanding the Chain of Communication

A set may contain several decision-makers. The artist should know who can approve changes.

Depending on the production, instructions may come from:

  • Producer
  • Director
  • Creative director
  • Photographer
  • Stylist
  • Key makeup artist
  • Department head
  • Client or brand representative

If two people give conflicting instructions, remain calm and ask the appropriate lead to confirm the priority.

Do not openly argue with another crew member or involve the talent in a production disagreement.

Set Etiquette

Good set habits include:

  • Keeping the station clean
  • Minimising unnecessary noise
  • Respecting other departments
  • Remaining available for touch-ups
  • Keeping walkways clear
  • Asking before moving another department’s equipment
  • Avoiding personal phone use
  • Not photographing confidential work
  • Not posting before campaign approval
  • Keeping private conversations confidential
  • Following health and safety instructions
  • Remaining professional during delays

A quiet period does not necessarily mean you have finished. Confirm before leaving or packing away.

Continuity

Continuity means maintaining the same appearance between photographs or scenes that must match.

Record:

  • Products used
  • Shades
  • Placement
  • Skin finish
  • Lip colour
  • Brow shape
  • Eye design
  • Lash choice
  • Any marks or distinguishing details
  • Time and order of changes
  • Clear reference photographs where authorised

Do not rely on memory after a long day or between separate filming dates.

Responding to Changes

Production schedules can change quickly. A model may arrive late, the creative direction may shift or a second look may need to be completed faster than expected.

Use the following process:

  1. Listen to the new instruction.
  2. Confirm the required result.
  3. Assess the available time.
  4. Identify the essential steps.
  5. Communicate any genuine limitation.
  6. Adjust the workflow.
  7. Record the change.
  8. Continue calmly.

Being adaptable does not mean agreeing to something unsafe or impossible.

High-Level Call-Time Habits

The night before:

  • Review the brief
  • Pack the kit
  • Confirm transport
  • Set alarms
  • Prepare suitable clothing
  • Charge equipment
  • Check contact details

On arrival:

  • Sign in if required
  • Introduce yourself
  • Locate the makeup area
  • Confirm the first person and deadline
  • Set up efficiently
  • Clarify any changes

Before leaving:

  • Confirm that you are wrapped
  • Clean the station
  • Pack all equipment
  • Dispose of waste correctly
  • Return borrowed items
  • Confirm any follow-up requirement
  • Record expenses and hours

Practical Activity: Build a Set-Day Timeline

Create a working plan for a 7:00 a.m. call time with three models requiring makeup by 9:30 a.m.

Include:

  1. Wake-up time
  2. Travel allowance
  3. Arrival time
  4. Setup time
  5. Order of applications
  6. Time for hygiene resets
  7. Contingency time
  8. Touch-up preparation
  9. Continuity records
  10. Estimated wrap procedure

Then write professional responses to these situations:

  • You expect to arrive 15 minutes late.
  • Two people give conflicting makeup instructions.
  • A model arrives after their allocated time.
  • Someone asks you to post an unreleased campaign.
  • The production exceeds the agreed working hours.
  • You are unsure whether you have been released for the day.