HD TV- the effects on makeup and hair artists

High Definition TV is a resolution that is substantially higher than standard TV. For instance if the TV transmitted two megapixels per frame, HD would provide five times as many pixels as a standard TV. Although this is great for the quality in which you watch your TV, it does mean difficulties for the Make up and Hair department as any minor imperfections will show drastically on the big screen. To help soften this cinematographers have used techniques such as filtration, softening of the lights and finally degrading the image so its not as highly defined. Make up artists use techniques such as airbrushing as spraying the make up onto the face prevents brush strokes. Airbrush isn’t necessary but it is a successful technique, some artist will do test to see whether powder or cream based make up works. Even prosthetics has to be of higher quality and wounds as some colours may be too bold under HD.Even men require a more heavy load of make up as beard shadow and shine on balding areas is more visible.

For the hair department they can have trouble with things such as the visibility of wig lace and facial hair lace. Even the glue used to attach them can be visible if it isn’t hidden properly. Tests with the monitors can insure all of these things look realistic on screen before filming goes ahead.

Reference:

wikipedia. (no date). High Definition Television. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_television. Last accessed 11th February 2015.

Ventre, M. (19th May 2008). HD is unforgiving to actors, and makeup artists. Available: http://www.today.com/id/24581670/ns/today-entertainment/t/hd-unforgiving-actors-makeup-artists/#.VNvdLb7A40o. Last accessed 11th February 2015.

BSC. (29th May 2008). How HD Affects Different Departments Compared To Standard Definition. Available: http://www.bscine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/080527_How_HD_affects_Depts.pdf. Last accessed 11th February 2015.