BLCKSTR x Sony Pictures
- Annie Little
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
BLCKSTR x Film London x Channel x Sony Pictures Entertainment
'Thank You' to Sony Pictures Entertainment, Channel 4 and Film London for sponsoring our recent online training program for hair and makeup artists called Elevation Squad; Working Towards HMU Design.
This online training program was aimed at elevating the presence of underrepresented hair and makeup artists looking to move towards Hair and Makeup Up design.
Elevation Squad
Course Content
For our hair and makeup artists we created a course that helped them:
- Identify and close key skill gaps
- Build confidence through self-reflection
- Understand the responsibilities of a HMU Designer at HETV HOD level
- Grow their network
- Get access to top industry professionals
When BLCKSTR was approached to design a course that would support experienced but underrepresented Hair and Makeup Artists, we said yes of course, and it's genuinely a favourite part of our training courses - coming up with the right content; and any time we get to support the industry and impact industry change, we go for it.
We know a number of highly experienced HODs working in High End TV and when we asked them to support our weekly training sessions they signed up no hesitation. Each week a different industry Head Of Department spoke to our artists sharing insight, experience and advice. Our weekly sessions included Producers, HMU Designers, Diversity Advocates and Filmmakers - several of the HODs have even become official mentors to our artists.
Live Presentations
After 8 weeks online it was time for us to meet in person, and we all gathered at Sony Pictures Entertainment where our hair and makeup artists gave a live presentation that showcased their growth, their work and leadership qualities. Our artists want to get hired in key positions so they promoted their availability too. (We know a few of our artists have since been hired on films). They had grown in confidence over the weeks and it showed.
There are so many talented, experienced, versatile hair and makeup artists out there willing for the chance to shine as leaders. What they might lack is connections, confidence, or the awareness of what is next.
Anyway, to end our weeks of online training and the meet-up with our new network of HMUA friends, we had a delicious lunch courtesy of Film London and Sony Pictures Entertainment, and settled in to our final training session on Diversity, Inclusion & Respect delivered by Mildred Yuan, and Valeria Bullo. We got to watch the film that started it all and prompted our Partners to offer this training - Untold Stories; Hair on Set, meet the film makers and enter into a lively Q&A discussion with them.
Annie Little; Mildred Yuan; Valeria Bullo; Film makers Lee Daley; Jordan Pitt
Little Things
At BLCKSTR, we understand the visible and invisible barriers that exist in this industry. I know how easy it is for talented, experienced artists to be overlooked and left wondering what is next for them. This Working Towards Hair and Makeup Design training programme helped our artists add light to their pathway and validate their right to want to want to be leaders. It's not always the big things we need to know it's the little things.
Elevation Squad; Working Towards HMU Design by BLCKSTR was made possible thanks to the support of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Channel 4, and Film London
- partners who believe in creating space for new voices at the top.
More about the Elevation Squad Film London's initiative for HMUA inclusion Aesthetics Academy
If you are a professional screen organisation and you want a course for your artists - contact us at info@blckstr.co.uk
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