The Importance of Makeup for High Definition Broadcasting and Continuity

High Definition Broadcasting: provides a resolution that is substantially higher than that of standard-definition television

In recent years, the standard of definition is more than four times the sharpness and clarity of conventional filming therefore makeup for HD needs to be blended very well to almost not appear on screen. Any lines or patches created by cosmetics that are inadequately blended are far more obvious in high definition. Also, non-micronised setting powders are inclined to show up in HD filming. Although to the naked eye the product is almost invisible, on camera it can give an ashy, dull effect on the skin. Airbrushes have been an extremely popular tool in the world of film and television makeup as soft blending can be achieved quickly and effectively. Too much makeup can appear very obviously in HD so cleansing, toning and moisturising is very important too. It is also incredibly important to constantly check in the mirror to have an idea what the camera will be seeing.

Continuity: The maintenance of continuous action and self-consistent detail in the various scenes of a film or broadcast.

One of the main responsibilities for a makeup artist for television or film is to maintain continuity. Without doing so, films become unreal to the viewer and the imaginary world created by the film crew crumbles. 

A script supervisor (also called continuity supervisor) is a member of a film crew and oversees the continuity of the motion picture including wardrobe, props, set dressing, hair, makeup and the actions of the actors during a scene. Actors must be dressed the same, have the same skin tones, wear their hair at the same length, and have the same make-up. If this is not the case, the result will be sadly noticeable when the film is edited. Also, to assist with maintaining this aspect makeup artists document photos and keep continuity notes to re-create the makeup accurately. Often people are hired to film pick-up shots. All changes to hairstyles, costume, and make-up should be logged with a scene number and day number of the film sequence.

References:

• BBC. (2016). Tips: Makeup for HD. [20th February] Available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/art20130702112136285
• Woodbridge Productions. 2005. Looking Great in High Definition. [20^th February] Available: http://www.woodbridgeproductions.co.uk/hd5.htm  
• Delamar. (2009). Continuity for The Makeup Artist. Available: http://www.delamaracademy.co.uk/blog/2009/06/an-introduction-to-continuity-for-the-make-up-artist [20th February]

My 1st Attempt

My two attempts ended up quite different - one being larger and more obvious than the other one. The second one took much less time, however, I may have skipped out stages of layering and that may have been why they look different. Next time I re-create something for continuity purposes I will make notes and have a photo sheet to refer to, making it easier than following a video.