The first 3 weeks of this course will focus on learning the core techniques used in the TV and film industry. On your arrival to the Iver Make-up Academy you will have the chance to meet the tutors and other students and check through the included kit before having an introduction to media make-up and familiarising yourself with the products to be used.

You’ll gain an understanding of facial anatomy and basic make-up artistry for the full face. This includes foundation, highlighting, concealing, correcting, blush, eyes, eyebrows and false lash application and lips. You’ll also discover how to analyse the colour and age of skin to effectively work with a range of skin tones and ages.

Finally, you will learn a range of hair styling techniques including the use of different products and equipment such as heated rollers and straightening irons.

For more information see our basic media make-up and hair course.

This week-long introduction course will teach you the basic techniques and skills required to create a range of facial hair styles. You will find out how to safely remove and clean hair pieces along with the latest knotting techniques and practices used in the industry. Facial hair application and dressing will be learnt through hands-on practice sessions with side burn, full beard and moustache pieces. Ways of applying stubble and laying on hair are also taught in this module, giving you the skills to successfully create authentic facial hair looks.

For more information see our facial hair course.

This 2-week module focuses on the best industry techniques for character work such as ageing and casualty effects. As well as application methods, you will also be taught the leading industry health and safety practices for prosthetics and special effects, which is vital information to have if you decide to work in the industry.

You will have the opportunity to create wounds, scars, bruising, burns and the formation of skin diseases, eye swelling and black eye bruising using a variety of industry materials. As well as this, you will gain practical experience working with pro-bondo, silicone guns and sculpt gel and learn techniques for the application of silicone and gelatine wounds.

For more information see our Character, SFX and Prosthetic Application course.

Mid-course assessments will take place at this point in the course to track your individual progress so far.

In the 3 weeks allocated for this module, you’ll learn the basis of period work and effective methods of research. You will get the chance to work on several projects including putting together complete hair and make-up looks from the 1920s, 40s, 60s and Edwardian era along with mastering the no make-up look. A Victorian hair and make-up project includes hair styling with hot rods, dowelling and the construction of Apollo knots.

Throughout these projects, you will focus on the best techniques for applying switches, clusters, wefts, wigs and toupees along with ways to care for the hair pieces by blocking and washing.

For more information see our Period Make-up, Hair and Wig Work course.

This module takes place over a 1-week period and offers an introduction to the basics of body make-up. During this section of the course you will learn and practice the application of tattoos and stencilling as well as designing body art. Camouflage make-up for the face and body is also taught, with practical sessions to give you a chance to try out the techniques you have learnt.

For more information see our Body Make-up course.

This 1-week module looks at the essential and up-to-date techniques used in the theatre and performing arts. Techniques for blocking out eyebrows and ageing characters are included to help you put together the best theatrical looks. You’ll study hair and make-up looks for ballet and opera productions showing you the flexibility demanded in the industry. The module ends with a performance art workshop giving you the chance to experience these projects first-hand and put your new skills into practice.

For more information see our Theatre and Performing Arts course.

Module 7 of this makeup course takes place over 1 week and focuses on the skills needed to work as a makeup artist in the industry. You’ll be taught how to breakdown scripts, how to establish the roles of characters and the scenes they will appear in. This is important when it comes to creating the most appropriate looks for characters and the bald cap project will help to expand this knowledge. A professional photographer will be on hand to capture the specific projects, so you can have new images to add to your personal portfolio of work.

You’ll be able to experience the pressure you may face as a professional makeup artist by completing timed projects in facial hair, character, special effect, injuries, script break down and character looks. This will give you experience of working etiquette and the knowledge to cope with industry demands.

For more information see our Timed Projects course.

In this 2-week module, you’ll learn important health and safety training plus an introduction to hair products. You’ll be taught basic haircutting and barbering techniques using a variety of different practice heads. You’ll also learn techniques for trimming long hair, cutting a bob and adding long and short layers in a style.

In terms of men’s hairstyling, you’ll learn about beard trimming, texture cuts and short back and sides. All these creations can be added to your portfolio to showcase your new skills.

For more information see our Hairdressing and Barbering course.

Over 3 weeks, you’ll learn methods for the creation of looks featuring prosthetics. You will gain practical experience in life casting; using alginate to make full face moulds, sculpting and using a number of products including silicone, to make prosthetic pieces. As well as this, you’ll study up-to-date sculpting, moulding and casting techniques to create professional standard moulds and advanced methods for correctly applying these.

Additionally, you will practice making moulds of skin, muscles and other body effects such as a blood rig through processes used in the industry for action special effects. Visiting maxillofacial specialist Rob Whitehead will guide you through creating resin moulds, pieces in gelatine and a silicone eye.

For more information see our Further Prosthetics course.

This popular technique for makeup application is commonly used in TV and special effects in film. To develop this important skill, you’ll get a detailed demonstration of equipment use, cleaning and maintenance and safety procedures along with how to deal with malfunctions. You will gain practical experience in airbrushing cosmetic makeup for young, mature and different skin tones as well as male and female faces. You’ll complete practical projects throughout the week, concluding in individual airbrushing projects.

For more information see our Comprehensive Airbrushing Makeup course.

Module 11 takes place over 3 weeks to develop your skills and knowledge of the fashion industry, including etiquette and up-to-date practices. During the module, you will master techniques for correcting, concealing and creating a base look. You will also have a demonstration on the professional techniques for working with a range of skin tones and achieving a natural look. The whole face will be studied in detail and you’ll be taught the essential techniques for applying makeup including flawless skin, directional make-up looks and current hair styles.

You’ll focus on practices that can be used in the industry such as creating editorial, front cover looks and Avant guard catwalk designs. You will also practice modern vintage make-up and hair and application of hair pieces. Male fashion grooming is also included.

For more information see our Fashion & Beauty Make-up & Hair Artistry course.

Module 12 is an intensive advanced hair artistry course completed over 6 weeks. In this part of the course you will research techniques for period hairstyles and perfect the look of men’s facial hair fashions throughout history. You’ll also learn techniques for working with both natural hair, wigs and hair pieces to achieve looks that are suitable for Television, film and Theatre and how to understand hair continuity when filming.

Techniques for styling African and Caribbean hair, vintage styling and modern architectural styles are also demonstrated.

For wigs, you will master the application of hair pieces on stunt performers and lace wigs on actors, as practised on major film sets. Techniques for sewing weft into hair and dressing men’s period wigs is also covered as part of this module. Wig care techniques are large part of this module and you’ll gain great practical experience of the techniques required including steaming, setting and dressing acrylic wigs.

For more information see our Advanced Hair Artistry course.

This final module takes place over 3 weeks, divided into 1 week of portfolio building for fashion looks and 2 weeks of filming prep and experience. Professional photographers will photograph your fashion looks to build your personal portfolio, ready for use when you come to work in the industry.

The filming project provides an all-round experience of working on a professional set. With presentations from a professional actor, camera operator and director, you’ll gain an insight into the needs of the film industry before putting everything you’ve learned into action. You’ll read and breakdown a script, complete the continuity requirements, meet and fit the actors, prepare wigs and prosthetics and work to the schedule of the filming day. At the end of this, you’ll get invaluable feedback from the actors and view the filmed scenes with the director to help you develop your skills.

Finally, you’ll get individual feedback from your tutor before celebrating with a graduation and presentation of certificates recognising your hard work.

For more information see our Portfolio Building and In-House Filming Project course.

Please note we may occasionally change advertised tutors or vary the content of the course to suit the demands of the industry.